Don’t settle for less, #08: Don’t avoid all conflict

Don’t avoid all conflict.  Sometimes it’s tempting.  Conflict can be a real pain.  Not to mention, painful.  But there are times when avoiding conflict can be the wrong thing to do.  Of course, there’s also the flip side where conflict seems to be option one.  But that’s for another day.

Don’t avoid all conflict is the eighth in a series of traits for successful people in the secular world that we’re looking at.  However, we’re also seeing how these same traits can be applied to becoming a “successful” Christian.  Someone who not only has an idea what Christianity is really about, but who also lives it.  Finally, who also does the Great Commission and not what Dallas Willard calls the Great Omission.

Don’t settle for less, #08: Don't avoid all conflict is article #8 in the series: Settling for less. Click button to view titles for entire series

don't avoid all conflictWith that in mind, here’s the eighth, from 23 Things Successful People Never Do on bestlifeonline.com:

Like collaboration, avoiding conflict generally falls into the “things you should do” category. But there are definitely limits. If you’re avoiding conflict even in situations where you’ve been seriously wronged, you’ll find that you’ve opened the door to more lines being crossed. If you don’t address something that bothers you, it’s only going to get worse.

In the secular world, this can be so true.  Don’t kick someone when they’re down is a saying that seems to have been completely forgotten about in many circles.  It can seem more like when someone is down, that exactly the time to kick harder and more often.  Go for the kill.  And at some point, if we don’t defend ourselves, it’s time to suffer or leave the situation.  Of course, there are also those times when we try to defend ourselves, like at work, and get fired.  Or crushed, smashed, or flattened like that egg about to be hit with a big wooden hammer.

Don’t avoid all conflict

Christians shouldn’t avoid all conflict either.  That may sound a bit odd when you consider something Jesus said.

An Eye for an Eye

Mt 5:38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

Footnotes

  • 1
    Keener, C. S. (2009). The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (p. 196). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
  • 2
    Freeman, J. M., & Chadwick, H. J. (1998). Manners & customs of the Bible (pp. 411–412). North Brunswick, NJ: Bridge-Logos Publishers.
  • 3
    Hayford, J. W. (Ed.). (1997). Spirit filled life study Bible (electronic ed., Mt 9:3). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
  • 4
    Keener, C. S. (2009). The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (pp. 197–198). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

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