Part 3: Be Balanced Before You Go

Have you ever known the right thing to do but didn’t feel like doing it? Or maybe you did it, but it was begrudgingly and with the wrong heart? What posture should you take when pursuing conflict with others? As we continue our series, Conflicted, JP teaches us how to be balanced when dealing with conflict.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

- There are so many things that Christians are divided on...there are over 30,000 different denominations in America alone.

- You don’t get to pick your biological family, and the same is true of Christianity; Christians are part of God’s family.

- To summarize the last two weeks of our series, Conflicted: 1) Change your perspective, see conflict as an opportunity; 2) Own your part; 3) Know conflict is pressing; 4) Overlook a small offense; 5) Clearly communicate your hurt; and 6) Widen the circle.

- “Worthy” in Ephesians 4:1-6 is from axios, which is where we get axel and axis. It is something that a structure balances on. Paul is calling us to live with a sense of balance.

- Be balanced in attitude.

- In conflict, are you more focused on winning and being right or resolving the conflict and seeking peace?

- Our country is divided unlike few times in its history. As Christians, we all have a role to play...none of us are on the bench.

- To be balanced in attitude in conflict is to be as humble as you possibly can. This type of humility does not come from striving but from surrendering.

- Be balanced in effort.

- This admonition from the text is not “let go let God,” it’s “Let God and let’s go!”

- Christians have one and only one enemy: Satan.

- Make no mistake, Satan is way stronger than you are. However, God is infinitely stronger than him.

- To be balanced in effort is to fall fully into the strength of God.

- Be balanced in unity.

- You have more in common with any Christian—regardless of language, skin color, politics, etc.—than you do with any non-Christian.

MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

- Suggested Scripture study: Ephesians 4:1-6; 1 Peter 2:23; James 4:1; Ephesians 3:20; Colossians 1:29

- Conflict Field Guide

- Week 1 & 2 of Conflicted