Extraordinary Relationships: Fight Nice
Romans 12:2 (MSG) Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV) Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.
All relationships have conflict. Extraordinary relationships have healthy conflict.
“Do not sin”
Healthy conflict is SAFE.
“Do not let the sun go down on your anger,”
Healthy conflict is TIMELY.
“Give no opportunity to the devil”
Healthy conflict is RESOLVED.
2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV) “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
4 Lessons from Joseph’s life about conflict:
Genesis 50:19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?
1. It starts within us.
Matthew 7:3-5 (NIV) “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Genesis 41:51-52 (NIV) Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”
2. It takes complete honesty.
Genesis 50:20 (NIV) You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
3. It requires secure faith.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Genesis 50:21 (NIV) So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
4. It sets us free.
Romans 12:21 (ESV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
