• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Troubled Teens

  • Home
  • Submit Questions
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy

Conflict Resolution the Bible Way, Part 2

Last updated on January 23, 2014 by TT Staff Leave a Comment

As we continue to answer some key questions about conflict resolution, we need to attempt to evaluate our own hearts — their motivations and tendencies. Regardless of how we’d like to act, we need to “talk to ourselves” with Scripture instead of “listening to ourselves”; another way to say it, as counter-cultural as it may be, is to guide our hearts, instead of listening to our hearts. After all, they can deceive us, whereas God’s Word is always true (Jeremiah 17:9, Psalm 33:4).

Question: Is it okay to ignore and avoid it?

Short Answer: Sometimes (but not as often as we’d like to think)

Perhaps a different way to ask this question is this: Does truly loving someone mean overlooking their faults? Proverbs 10:12 and 1 Peter 4:8 seem to indicate that it does. There are times when we need to give one another the benefit of the doubt or simply get over a minor issue or unintentional slight.

If we can’t simply get over it, though, God’s Word compels us to address the issue rather than harboring it in our hearts; holding grudges or allowing hurts to fester and develop into bitterness do no one any favors (Leviticus 19:18). Certainly, if the issue is something that bothers us and/or elicits gossip, it’s definitely something important enough to deal with in a biblical way.

In addition, when clear sin issues surface in the lives of those we love, we actually do them a disservice when we ignore the issue (Proverbs 28:13) — just like we do when we gloss over sins in our own hearts and lives. Like Achan’s or David’s feeble attempts to bury the evidence of their disobedience, when we attempt to cover up sins, we actually accomplish the opposite of what we want (Joshua 7, 2 Samuel 11). Instead of helping bridge the gap between our sinful hearts and the mercy and grace of a loving God, covering sin distances us from God (Psalm 66:18).

Going back to Matthew 18, we are commanded to address these issues, as uncomfortable as doing so may be. We often tend to be dishonest about our own motivations for failing to comply with God’s design. We may say we don’t want to be taken incorrectly or hurt someone’s feelings, but we’re usually just using such excuses to avoid doing something we know won’t be enjoyable or could cause a breech in a relationship.

Another fear that often keeps us from obedience is that of having our own lives and motivations examined (Matthew 8:3-10). Certainly, we need to conduct self-examination first, making sure we’re willing to use the same measuring stick in our own lives (Matthew 7:1-5). In fact, if we truly desire spiritual growth for ourselves, we will invite scrutiny (Psalm 139:23) and lead remarkably humble and openly confessional lives (Psalm 34:18, James 4:6, James 5:16).

Read the Entire Series on Conflict Resolution

  • Part 1
  • Part 2
  • Part 3
  • Part 4

Filed Under: For Parents of Teens, Promoted

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Struggling with Your Teen?

Have a question about something you're facing with your teenage son or daughter? Ask us! Just click here and share your question.

Boarding School Reviews

Get your boarding school or youth residential treatment program reviewed here. Looking for a marketing agency? Contact us.

Popular Posts

  • Causes of Sexual Promiscuity in Teens
  • Controversy Surrounds "Bully" Movie
  • The Risks of Sexual Promiscuity in Teens
  • Signs and Symptoms of Huffing
  • Teens and Rape Victim Blame

Recent Articles

  • Teen Shoplifting
  • Is Scripture Irrelevant to Contemporary Teens?
  • Fostering Academic Success at Home: Structuring Study Schedules and Spaces, Part 2
  • Underage Drinking: More of a Problem Than You May Think
  • Communication Overload
  • Combating Teen Obesity
  • What Technology Reveals About Today’s Teens, Part 2
  • What’s Your Excuse? Don’t Pretend, Be Real
  • Why “Fifty Shades” Is Dangerous (For You and Your Teen)
  • Parents: Look to Hollywood Movies for Parenting Tips

Reader Feedback

  • Tara on Causes of Sexual Promiscuity in Teens
  • TNH on Causes of Sexual Promiscuity in Teens
  • Sharaaz Khan on Causes of Sexual Promiscuity in Teens
  • Dionne Duarte on Causes of Sexual Promiscuity in Teens
  • Clarice A. on Teen Bedwetting
  • Margaret Campbell on Causes of Sexual Promiscuity in Teens
  • Elizabeth on The Sexting Problem
  • Lisa Arquette on Handling Hard Questions: Having Empathy for the Ache
  • L. C. H. on 3 Reminders for Dealing with Rebellious Teens
  • Peter D'Angelo on Which Kids Stay in the Church?

Copyright © 2023 TroubledTeens.biz · All Rights Reserved