1. Mike Mazzalongo Lesson #7

2. Top Ten Sins & Struggles 10 – Laziness 9 – Anger 8 – Cursing & Gossiping 7 – Pride 6 – Neglecting Church 5 – Coping with Change 5 – Coping with Conflict

3. “Conflict” Definition: A struggle between opposing principles or aims A clash of feelings or interests

4. Factors Causing Conflict 1.Perception

5. Factors Causing Conflict 1.Perception 2.Pride

6. Factors Causing Conflict 1.Perception 2.Pride 3.Politics

7. Conflict = Our Way vs. Their Way

8. Causes of Conflict Perception – My way is better Pride – My way is best Politics – My way by any means

9. The Bible and Conflict 1.Examine “My Way” For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. - Romans 12:3

10. What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. - James 4:13

11. Don’t measure yourself by yourself but rather by the faith God has given you.

12. A gentle answer deflects anger but harsh words make tempers flare. - Proverbs 15:1

13. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring one another. - Romans 12:10

14. An honest estimate of ourselves is often the beginning of the end of conflict.

15. The Bible and Conflict 1.Examine “My Way” 2. Expect Conflict

16. And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. - Matthew 24:4-6

17. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. - Matthew 24:7-8

18. Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. - Matthew 10:34

19. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be the members of his household. - Matthew 10:35-36

20. Christians accept that there will always be conflict by choose which conflict to struggle in.

21. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 6:10-12

22. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; - Ephesians 6:13-15

23. in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. - Ephesians 6:16-17

24. The Bible and Conflict 1.Examine “My Way” 2.Expect Conflict 3. Engage in Prayer

25. Be still and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10

26. Show me the right path O Lord, point out the road for me to follow. - Psalm 25:4

27. Prayer helps us see what God sees.

28. Being at peace with God helps us be at peace with ourselves and all others.