Pastor Mark returned to the pulpit this week to preach on James 4:1–12. James tells us that we will encounter conflict. It’s unavoidable. But we can deal with conflict in a worldly way or in a godly way. Catch up on the sermon below and share the following quotes and images with your friends and family on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Conflict happens. Whether it’s physical or digital, conflict invites others to join in on the riot, and according to Pastor James, this is just part of being sinners in a fallen world. But, he says, conflict need not be worldly—we can engage in a kind that’s godly.
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The goal is not to avoid all conflict, but to have godly conflict, if & when you have that opportunity. #boldJames
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Worldly conflict is natural; godly conflict is supernatural. #boldJames
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When there’s a conflict, God pours out grace on both sides because he loves them both. #boldJames
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God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. –Proverbs 3:34 #boldJames
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Worldly conflict is all about pride; godly conflict requires the pursuit of humility. #boldJames
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Humility in the middle of a conflict allows us not just to see their sin but to see ours, too. #boldJames
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Humility allows us to listen more and speak less. #boldJames
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Remember this during conflict, Christian: You’re not fighting the person. You’re fighting the devil. #boldJames
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How does Satan tend to tempt you? #boldJames
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In the middle of conflict, find the Lord. Get to the Lord. Stick with the Lord. Stay close to the Lord. #boldJames
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It’s not about winning; it’s about worshiping. #boldJames
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In godly conflict, justice is at the cross. #boldJames
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Recommended resources
For those who would like to delve deeper into the topics covered by the sermon, we’ve collected a few good places to start.
Jesus reconciles us
Sermon by Pastor Mark Driscoll
How should Christians deal with conflict? Jesus tells us (the offenders, the offended, and those in the middle alike) how to deal with interpersonal conflict in Matthew 18:15–20. He gives us eight painful questions for reconciliation between Christians, culminating with, what does Jesus think about your behavior? Jesus the God-man is the only one who can reconcile us to both God and one another.
Don’t waste your conflict
By Deacon Jenn Smidt
Being human immediately qualifies you for facing a lifetime of repeated and regular conflict. While some of us cringe at that prospect and others seem to thrive in it, we all need to seize the opportunities that conflict offers.
13 ways to grow relational capital
By Pastor Brandon Andersen
As a leader, if you want your team to go from good to great, hard conversations are inevitable.
Resist the Devil!
Sermon by John Piper on James 4:7
“In the past year we have seen Satan make a decisive move in America. A move from being the secret spirit of civilized secularism where life is organized and supposedly rational, and God is not needed and Satan is not feared, and very likely neither of them exists—a move from this secret place of power to a much more overt display of uncivilized, barbaric, crude, primitive wickedness.”
How to fight to the glory of God
Sermon by Pastor Mark Driscoll from the Luke series
All of us will have conflict with others; the question is if we will fight to the glory of God. Two things happen all the time in human relationships: someone sins and someone is sinned against. Jesus teaches us three things to do when dealing with our sin or potential to sin, and three things to do when dealing with others’ sin. In sum: sinners, repent; victims, forgive.
