The causes of the church's conflict (1)

“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;  …  Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly Do not be wise in your own estimation.”  (Romans 12:6, 16)

            How should we view church conflict?  Why are churches fighting?  Don’t they suppose to love each other?  What is the cause of the church's conflict?  One of the reasons is the lack of recognition of diversity.  In other words, there is conflict in the church because we don’t accept that there are people with various gifts in the church.

                Often we look at marital disputes and say: 'You and I are just different, not wrong.'  But when we actually think about the marital relations, I think the couples tend to think that their spouse is wrong instead of to think that s/he is just different.  As a result, the couples have no choice but to fight each other.  Similarly, because every relationship thinks that ‘You are wrong’ (which means ‘I am right’), there is conflict, quarrel and fight.  The reason for conflict and fighting in human relations in the church is that there is a dispute due to the thought of 'You are wrong’ even though they are just different and are treating each other with that kind of attitude.  This thought and attitude is the bitter root of pride that ‘I am right but you are wrong.’  Because of this deep-rooted thought that ‘I am right, you are wrong,’ we criticize each other and eventually slander.  After all, the profound cause of the conflict is pride.

                Apostle Paul said in Romans 12:16, “Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind  ….”  The reason for not being the same mind is because of haughty in mind.  In other words, we are quarreling and fighting because we are wise in our own estimation.  If we look at ourselves with our own eyes and think that ‘I am wise,’ we will have a dispute in the church because we are looking at the other person in the attitude of  ‘I am wise but you are foolish.’  “This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic” (Jam. 3:15).  If we harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in our hearts, we shouldn’t boast (v. 14).  If we boast, we are denying the truth (v. 14).  What is the wisdom that the Bible speaks?  Look at James 3:17 – “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”  If we truly have the wisdom that God gives, we will be peace-loving as peacemakers in the church (v. 18).  However, if we do not recognize the various gifts that the Lord has given to each of us, and judge and criticize the gifts given to other members on the basis of “my gift,” there will be conflicts in our church.

                The church is one.  The church is one because of Jesus.  There is unity in the church, the body of the Lord.  At the same time, there is diversity in the church.  The members who received various gifts gathered to form one body in the Lord.  Therefore, we have a responsibility to keep unity in diversity.  The responsibility is that we all should be of the same mind.  How can we all be of the same mind?  There is only one way.  That is, we all have the attitude of Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:5).  As we empty ourselves and humbled ourselves, we must acknowledge each other's various gifts from the Lord.  And we must strive to keep the unity of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:3) by using the various gifts given to each other in peace and with wisdom from above (Jam. 3:17).