JESUS’ TEACHING ON CONFLICT

DEFINITION OF TERMS

To achieve the purpose of this study, it is important for me to discuss some key words of the topic, for this facilitates good understanding of the preposition and/or logic of the writer.

To this effect, I will define the following terms:

1.     Conflict

2.     Teaching

3.     Jesus Christ

Conflict: According to Webstar’s new twentieth century dictionary, the word ‘conflict’ is defined as ‘a fight, battle, struggle, sharp disagreement or opposition as of interest, ideals, etc clash.

It further defined or explained conflict as emotional disturbance resulting from a clash of impulse in a person.

According to Oxford dictionary, the word ‘conflict’ means ‘a situation of coming into collision clash, to be at variance, be incompatible’.

Teaching: According to oxford dictionary, teaching means to impact knowledge to, or instruct (someone) as to know how to do something.

Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is the son of the Most High God. He is ‘the fulfillment of the old testament prophesy’. It is on the basis of this, He became the founder of the Christian faith.

The Hebrew defines Jesus as ‘Yeshua’, founder of the Christian faith often referred to as Jesus of Nazareth.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Jesus spent all his life in this world teaching and reconstructing people’s life. The life and teaching of Jesus Christ is the basis of Christianity now.

We are going to see some lives and teaching of Jesus Christ especially on conflict. This material would provide you with Jesus teaching on conflict and why he spent most of his time teaching his disciples about conflict.

Even before the coming of Jesus Christ, there was a great conflict in heaven on whom to go and deliver the people from their sins

So when Jesus came to the world, people hated him with passion and also there were conflicts all over the place. So Jesus took time to settle them and even converted those that Hate him, also he gave his disciples words of encouragement on how to deal with conflict and temptation, he promised to be on the side even at the time of trouble.

The Lord spoke to Paul in a vision ‘don’t be afraid’, ’keep on speaking and do not be afraid, keep on speaking and do not stop speaking for I am with you (Acts 18:9)

We will also see the benefits of overcoming conflicts. Jesus taught them never to take this race as bird of rosary, for as people persecuted him, so shall we all be prosecuted: thus he said:

‘Blessed are you when people insult you, Persecute you falsely, say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in same way they prosecuted the prophets who were before you (Matt 5:11-12)’

1.1              Relationship between Religion and conflict

Samuel Huntington argues that in the post cold war era, cultural and religious differences would replace ideology as the mere probable cause of conflict (Huntington 1996:254).

Juergensmeyer in response to Huntington notes a rise in religious nationalism as a reaction to the failure of secular nationalism to deal with corruption, excessive materialism and states inefficiency (Juergensmeyer 1993:1-8). Juergensmeyer  knows that in the early period of post-colonial independence, after the second world war, nationalism was seen as a secular phenomenon. But now, religious nationalism has come to the core.

The religious nationalist, Juergensmeyer sees no division between faith and politics or need for the separation of church and state. The religious nationalist thus tends to view their religious traditions as so tied to their nation or their land, that any threat to one of these is a threat to their existence, with this scenario, religious nationalist respond to threats to their religions by seeking political groups in which their religion is privileged to the expense of others.

1.2                   What the bible says about disagreement and conflict resolution

Often times, the root of the problem is pride and miscommunication. The bible clearly warns us against pride and anger. As believers, we must avoid provocation and personal attack. We are called to see everyone equally with dignity and respect. We must learn to forgive and communicate the truth in love. Communication must be clear, effective and constructive at all times.

‘My dear brothers, take note of these: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for men’s anger does not bring about righteous life that God desires (James 1:19-20) ’. The Bible here is encouraging us to be consistent in our speech, to mind how we talk for what one said could result to conflict. 

‘A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stares up anger (Proverbs 15:1)’. Even in our present society, conflict is always caused and generated through words of the mouth, there is a saying that ‘soft words breaks the bone’ so what we say and how we configure our speech matters in conflict and disagreement.

‘But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace – loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and good fruits, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness’. (James 3:17-18) 

CHAPTER TWO

CAUSES OF CONFLICT BETWEEN JESUS AND HIS OPPONENTS

The teachers of law saw things in the eye of the laws of Moses and propounded their theories as such, and presenting things to people at the periphery. Jesus came with a totally different teaching of salvation and also presented Himself as the sacrifice. Therefore, condemning any further sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. The opponent saw His views being totally different from theirs and hence, strongly opposed him. They followed him everywhere, bringing questions on different issues.

According to J. A. Samson ‘When one error conflicts with another, each destroys its opponents and truth is evolved’ (Samson 18:79).

Many scholars noted that the conspiracy of the opponent laid foundation of the conflict. The opponent conspired against him and always faced him with questions. It is obvious that the opponents which included the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Herodians and Doctors of the law, priests and Notables, the whole Jewish aristocracy and the whole ruling class were in coalition against the savior.

Other things that caused the conflict were the rejection parable to the Pharisees. The indictment of the scribes. Jesus announced this to them in form of three parables:

§  The two sons whose actions believe their words

§  The wicked vinedresser and

§  The recalcitrant guest invited to the marriage.

The first he addressed to the members of the Sanhedrin who had declined if the baptism of john was from heaven or from men.

2.1     Effects of the Conflict

Many Jews became believers mostly those who came to Mary and were eye witnesses of the raising of Lazarus. The evidence convinced them but it was not the evidence that made them susceptible to its implications. Those on whom it had this effect were people whose presence on the spot was due to a kind motive (1 John 1:12)

However, according to Williams, ‘The love of man, even in the very simple form may often be the precursor of faith in God (Williams 1914)’. So crowds accompanied the Lord Jesus, those who had seen the raising of Lazarus and those from within or around about the city that went out to meet Him – (the opponents) were utterly dismayed. Their own folk had gone after Him with the rest.

Another effect was on the woman. A sinful woman was purged. The woman who was arraigned before Jesus by the opponents (the Pharisees) on adultery. Hence, the Pharisees were not fit to condemn her, Jesus who was the only one fit to condemn her neither condemned her nor condoned her. But he said to her from that day on, ‘do not sin anymore’.

According to Williams Temple, ‘Spiritual powers slashed this challenge on the conscience of the sinful woman so that instead of being  condemned, she was purged.

Jesus, by the virtue of His teaching on conflict was looked upon as a ‘deity’. He empowered His disciples to be united with one body in Him as the body to act as his representatives in the world. He cursed the opponents.

This curse appeared in Matthew 23 as in the form of seven woes which is seen as one effect of the conflict.

An outstanding effect of this conflict is that it brought salvation to mankind, and at the same time, brought several curses on the life of religious leaders. Jesus, as we understand, came not to annul the law and the prophets, but to confirm it (Matthew 5:17). Not less than the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, but more is required of those who would enter the kingdom of God. Jesus accepted the institutions and observers of Judaism as a positive element in religion and confirmed to them, but he did not attribute to those eternal intrinsic worth in the sight of God nor allowed the punctiliousness about them was a sign of superior righteousness.

In His teaching, Jesus urged the crowd and his disciples to obey the teachers of the law\, and the Pharisees and do everything they teach but should not do what they do, for they do not practice what they teach.

Hence, Jesus remarked that

‘…they tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders but they themselves are not willing to lift a  finger to move them’, it is obviously seen that Jesus did not discard nor condemn the teaching of his opponents but regretted and cautioned their practice. Hence, he stated that in the form of seven woes (Matthew 23)’.

2.2     How to Prevent and Avoid Conflict

Conflict is disagreement between two people and it is usually caused by mouth, our tongue has a very mighty role to play in conflict.

The tongue has the ability to bring, resolve and avoid conflict, so it depend on how you use yours.

·        Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s worth, for it is written: ‘it is not mine to avenge, I will repay’ says the Lord (Romans 12:19)

The bible encourages us here not to revenge, for the lord will fight for us and we will be still.

·        ‘In your anger, do not sin, do not let the sun go down while you are still angry’ (Ephesians 4:26).

The bible is telling us to learn how to control our anger and emotions and should not allow the sun to see our anger off.

·        ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself’ (Leviticus 19:18)

If we should love our neighbor as the scripture said, there is no how we would bear grudges against anybody because we will see ourselves as one in Christ Jesus.

·        ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him’ (James 1:5)

·        ‘Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing’ (Proverbs 12:18)

·        ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you’ (Ephesians 4:32)

·        But now, you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from the lips’ (Ephesians 3:8)

·        ‘He who answers before listening – that is his folly and his shame’ (Proverbs 18:13)

·        Let us therefore make every effort to do what leades to peace and to mutual edification (Romans 14:19).

·        For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, your father will not forgive you (Matthew 6:14-15)’

·        ‘The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful’ (Proverbs 12:22)

·        Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7)

·        Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:8-9).

·        It is to a man’s honour to avoid strive but every fool is quick to quarrel’ (Proverbs 20:3)

·        A fools lips bring him strife, but his mouth invites a beating’ (Proverbs 18:6)

CHAPTER THREE

JESUS’ TEACHING ON CONFLICT

Jesus dealt with conflict head on, yet always  without sin. He did not avoid conflict. Once he dealt with it in his team, he pointed them back to his mission and their mission.

Jesus taught his disciples on conflict and also the world on how to settle and avoid anger which leads to conflict. Two of his twelve disciples (James and john) approached Jesus asking him to do for them whatever they asked (Mark 10:35) nothing too strange there as people were always asking Jesus to do things for them, healing in particular (Mark 7:31-37 for example). Jesus replies, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ and it was James and John’s answer that brought about conflict in the team of the 12 disciples for they said ‘let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory’ (Mark 10:36-36). In other words, we would like a place of prominence and leadership in your future glorious kingdom. So Jesus on hearing this, called all his disciples together and dealt with the conflict. He did not avoid it. He dealt with it head on.

Another place Jesus taught his disciples about conflict and settled the immediate one was in Mark 9:33-35, on this occasion, all the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest. Is it Peter? Is it John? Who is the greatest?

‘Then he came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house, he asked them ‘what was it disputed among yourselves on the road’, but they kept silent for on the road, they had disputed among themselves who was to be the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve, and said to them, if anyone desires to be the first, he shall be the last of all and servant of all. Then he took a little child and set him in the midst of them as an example’.

Jesus himself encountered so many problems, hatred and conflict with people, so he encouraged his disciples and his followers to keep fit and endure hatred and gentle conflict for even he himself was hated by the world.

Thus he said, ‘They will treat you this way because of my name’s sake, because they do not know him who sent me (John 15:21).

Jesus told them that the world rejected him because of their ignorance of the one who sent him. But Jesus cannot be understood apart from the father. Jesus has been speaking of the connection between the treatment he has experienced and that of his disciples. He has spoken to them the words of the father himself (14:10-11) and shown them the deeds of the father (5, 19, 30) deeds unlike anyone else’s (v 24). If he had not spoken and acted, they would not be guilty of sin (v 22, 24). The text says literally, ‘they would not have sinned’ (Hamartia). Harmatia can refer to guilt, but here the reference is more likely to be sin itself.

In John’s gospel, sin is understood as lack of faith in Jesus, that is, hatred of him and his father (Michael’s 1989:276)

The opponents do not think they hate God, but such is the case given their hatred of Jesus (vs 23-24). ‘This hatred is the human ‘No’ to the divine ‘Yes’ expressed in the mission of his son’ (Ridderbos 1997:525).

The conflict which the disciples of Jesus experienced is something much bigger than them. Sometimes, Christians today say they are being persecuted for the sake of God, when in fact they are being rejected merely because they are obnoxious. But many Christians are indeed undergoing the most horrid persecution and suffering for the name. Jesus’ words of encouragement here speak directly to his disciples in such situations. He gives them the larger perspective, helping them understand that what they are going through is part of the world’s rejection of the father.

3.1     Purpose of Jesus’ Teaching on Conflict

From verse one in Matthew 18, Jesus dealt with matters which are related: How we think of others, with self exalting pride and humility (vs 1-4); How we receive and treat these little ones who believe in me (vs 5-6): the horror of any offence to self and others (vs 7-9) and the care of heaven towards both the saved and the lost (vs 10-14).

According to Beckley, there is really one underlying subject here: ‘How we think of self is determinant on how we treat others’ (Beckley 2005:12). Jesus’ purpose on teaching about conflict is for us to be united, for we stand firm when ever such temptations comes our way.

One thing that is clear in the Lord’s teaching is the potential of conflict (Beckley 2005:20). He said ‘for offences must come…’ (Matthew 18:7).

It is expected therefore, that the Lord addresses the matter we commonly call conflict resolution. ‘Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone, but if he will not hear, taker with you one or two more, that if by the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be of you like heathen and a tax collector’ (Matthew 18:15).

Let’s not overlook the purpose of this. Jesus did not give us these steps so that we can get rid of people who bother us, who sin against us or with whom we disagree. The purpose is not to get rid but to gain! Therefore, if you run to this passage when you want to punish someone and get rid of them, your spirit is wrong and you will not likely use the procedure correctly.

Jesus identifies the purpose at the end of verse 15, to gain your brother should be your hope. The elevation of self should be absent in this.

These steps find their practical         use ‘if your brother sins against you’ while there may be situations of other kinds of conflict where the model of private before the public can well be followed, this procedure was given to address one kind of conflict: ‘If your brother sins against you’, the teaching of Christ in Matthew 18:15-17 is not for every situation! It is for the situation specified: ‘If your brother sins against you’.

According to Warren (2005:12) ‘this situation of a private offense’. Our reaction should be just as described by the Lord. To be hurt, then hold that hurt in your heart over several years is never recommended in the scriptures.

According to Matt 5:21-26, 38-48, to complain and gossip is not the right response, ‘if your brother sins against you’, you are obligated by virtue of discipleship to follow the Lord’s method of conflict resolution.

CONCLUSION

For more than two thousand years ago, Jesus made straight the way back home to life on other earth (heaven). The good teaching and religious teachings were left to grow together until the time of restitution. Now as prophesied, the tares have been removed and the teachings of Jesus have been made straight once again.

‘Be ye not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds (Romans 12:2)’. If you can wash your minds of religion, the scales will fall from your eyes and you will see what has been hidden in plain sight on the pages of the bible for all to see.

Jesus taught on many things but we concentrated on his teaching on conflict. Jesus taught his disciples how to avoid and resolve conflict. He knew what he encountered during his own time and that is the reason why he has to teach his disciples about conflict with the unbelievers, how to resolve conflict among brothers and also to avoid conflict among themselves.

This book also made us understand the positive and negative effect of conflict. There is a saying that without war there will be no peace and even all the people (both the Jews and Gentiles) that were against Jesus were later believers.

So this teaching will help you to stand firm and face the challenges of the world because it was not easy with Jesus during his time, therefore you will also suffer conflict and hatred from people. But remember, ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’ (Matt 5:10).