DEALING WITH CONFLICT AND LIVING TO TELL ABOUT IT (26 OF 54)
by Keith Krell
Scripture: Genesis 21:22-34
This content is part of a series.
Dealing with Conflict and Living to Tell About it (26 of 54)
Series: The Book of Beginnings
Keith Krell
Genesis 21:22-34
In the last few years, there have been many ''strange but true'' stories about people who get into deadly conflicts over crazy things. In Orlando, a 48-year-old man was shot to death by his wife after a fight over the satellite TV controls. In California, a man was stabbed to death by his girlfriend because he brought home a McDonalds ham, egg, and cheese bagel instead of the two Egg Mcmuffins that she'd asked for. (Husbands, let that be a lesson to all of you...get it right!) In Dallas, a 37-year-old man was beaten to death by his roommate after a fight over the thermostat setting in their house. In Maryland, a 15-year-old boy has been charged in the shooting death of a man who was playing reggae music on his car stereo. Apparently, the boy really hates reggae music.
Although these are extreme cases and responses, we can all acknowledge it can be difficult maintaining positive relationships with others. As Christians we will have times of conflict; sometimes with a neighbor who seems unbearable, sometimes with an employer, customer, or government official who seems overly demanding or unfair, sometimes with a relative, or even a fellow Christian. The answer to handling these types of problems is not revenge, hostility, denial, or avoidance of the problem. The Bible tells us, ''If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men'' (Rom 12:18; cf. Heb 12:14). So as God's people our goal should be to build and preserve our relationships. This is precisely what Abraham does in Genesis 21:22-34. In these verses, we discover three principles that will enable us to deal with conflict and live to tell about it.
1. Agree to live in peace (21:22-24). Our story begins in 21:22-24 with these words: ''Now it came about at that time that Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, 'God is with yo ...
Series: The Book of Beginnings
Keith Krell
Genesis 21:22-34
In the last few years, there have been many ''strange but true'' stories about people who get into deadly conflicts over crazy things. In Orlando, a 48-year-old man was shot to death by his wife after a fight over the satellite TV controls. In California, a man was stabbed to death by his girlfriend because he brought home a McDonalds ham, egg, and cheese bagel instead of the two Egg Mcmuffins that she'd asked for. (Husbands, let that be a lesson to all of you...get it right!) In Dallas, a 37-year-old man was beaten to death by his roommate after a fight over the thermostat setting in their house. In Maryland, a 15-year-old boy has been charged in the shooting death of a man who was playing reggae music on his car stereo. Apparently, the boy really hates reggae music.
Although these are extreme cases and responses, we can all acknowledge it can be difficult maintaining positive relationships with others. As Christians we will have times of conflict; sometimes with a neighbor who seems unbearable, sometimes with an employer, customer, or government official who seems overly demanding or unfair, sometimes with a relative, or even a fellow Christian. The answer to handling these types of problems is not revenge, hostility, denial, or avoidance of the problem. The Bible tells us, ''If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men'' (Rom 12:18; cf. Heb 12:14). So as God's people our goal should be to build and preserve our relationships. This is precisely what Abraham does in Genesis 21:22-34. In these verses, we discover three principles that will enable us to deal with conflict and live to tell about it.
1. Agree to live in peace (21:22-24). Our story begins in 21:22-24 with these words: ''Now it came about at that time that Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, 'God is with yo ...
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