Conflicts are a recurring theme throughout the Bible, manifesting in various forms such as personal disputes, national wars, and spiritual battles. The Bible provides numerous accounts and teachings on how conflicts arise, their consequences, and the divine guidance available for resolution and peace.

Old Testament Conflicts

1. Cain and Abel: The first recorded conflict in the Bible is between Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve. Cain's jealousy and anger towards Abel, whose offering was favored by God, led to the first murder. This account illustrates the destructive power of unchecked anger and jealousy. "Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen?'" (Genesis 4:6).

2. Jacob and Esau: The conflict between Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah, began in the womb and continued into adulthood. Jacob's deception to receive Esau's birthright and blessing led to years of estrangement. Their eventual reconciliation highlights the possibility of forgiveness and restoration. "But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they both wept" (Genesis 33:4).

3. Israelites and Canaanites: The conquest of Canaan involved numerous conflicts as the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, sought to claim the land promised to them by God. These battles were seen as divinely sanctioned acts to establish a holy nation. "The LORD said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid of them, for I have delivered them into your hand. Not one of them shall stand against you'" (Joshua 10:8).

New Testament Conflicts

1. Jesus and the Pharisees: Jesus frequently encountered conflict with the Pharisees and other religious leaders who opposed His teachings and authority. These confrontations often centered around interpretations of the Law and the nature of true righteousness. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter" (Matthew 23:13).

2. Paul and Early Church Disputes: The Apostle Paul faced numerous conflicts, both external and internal, as he spread the Gospel. Disputes over Jewish law, Gentile inclusion, and doctrinal purity were prevalent. Paul's letters often address these issues, urging unity and love. "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).

3. Spiritual Warfare: The New Testament also speaks of spiritual conflicts, emphasizing the believer's struggle against spiritual forces of evil. Paul describes the armor of God as essential for standing firm in faith. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).

Biblical Teachings on Conflict Resolution

1. Peacemaking: The Bible encourages believers to be peacemakers, reflecting God's desire for reconciliation and harmony. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9).

2. Forgiveness: Forgiveness is a central tenet in resolving conflicts, as demonstrated by Jesus' teachings and actions. "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew 6:14).

3. Love and Humility: Love and humility are essential virtues in addressing conflicts. Paul exhorts believers to act in love and consider others above themselves. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3).

The Bible provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing conflicts, emphasizing the importance of divine guidance, forgiveness, and love in achieving peace and reconciliation.3163. mache -- a fight
... Word Origin from machomai Definition a fight NASB Word Usage conflicts
(2), disputes (1), quarrels (1). fighting, strive, striving. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3163.htm - 6k

Conflicts of the Church with Public Wrongs.
... A HISTORY OF AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY. CHAPTER XVI. CONFLICTS OF THE CHURCH
WITH PUBLIC WRONGS. THE transition from establishment to ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xvi conflicts of the.htm

The Nature of the Conflicts Endured in the Persecution.
... Book VIII. Chapter III."The Nature of the Conflicts endured in the
Persecution. ... 2. Others passed through different conflicts. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iii the nature of the.htm

Of the Number of Different Conflicts and victories through which ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XVIII. Of the number of different conflicts and victories through
which the blessed Apostle ascended to the crown of the highest combat. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xviii of the number.htm

Conflicts with Giant Mistake
... CHAPTER EIGHT CONFLICTS WITH GIANT MISTAKE. CONFLICTS WITH GIANT MISTAKE I make
so many mistakes, it seems I am just a bundle of contradictions. ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter eight conflicts with giant.htm

How, after the Fashion of the Olympic Games, a Monk Should not ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XVI. How, after the fashion of the Olympic games, a monk should
not attempt spiritual conflicts unless he has won battles over the flesh. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvi how after the.htm

How a Monk Should not Overstep the Proper Hours for Taking Food ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XX. How a monk should not overstep the proper hours for taking
food, if he wants to proceed to the struggle of interior conflicts. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xx how a monk.htm

The Number of those who Fought for Religion in Gaul under Verus ...
... Book V. Chapter I."The Number of those who fought for Religion in Gaul Under
Verus and the Nature of their Conflicts. 1. The country ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter i the number of those.htm

What Hope and Reward Remains for the Righteous and for Martyrs ...
... 12. What hope and reward remains for the righteous and for martyrs after
the conflicts and sufferings of this present time,. The ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/12 what hope and reward.htm

To Sister Bartolomea Della Seta Nun in the Convent of Santo ...
... The conflicts of the cloister and of the court are not dissimilar; and the first,
to Catherine, are as real and significant as the second. ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to sister bartolomea della seta.htm

Since Then, in Reference to Our Hope of the Resurrection, Christ ...
... the first born from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence;"
how is it that we stir up these vain strifes of words, and conflicts of evil ...
/.../7 since then in reference.htm

Conflicts (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Conflicts (3 Occurrences). ... We were greatly harassed;
there were conflicts without and fears within. (WEY NAS NIV). ...
/c/conflicts.htm - 7k

Period (43 Occurrences)
... successfully warded off. The conflicts in which the Israelites were thus
involved were all more or less local in character. In no ...
/p/period.htm - 34k

Damascus (58 Occurrences)
... Ben-hadad II (according to Winckler the two Ben-hadads are really identical, but
this view, though just possible chronologically, conflicts with 1 Kings 20:34 ...
/d/damascus.htm - 45k

Kedar (11 Occurrences)
... along with the Arabs and Nebaioth, which decides its identity with Kedar of the
Old Testament, and there is found also an account of the conflicts between the ...
/k/kedar.htm - 13k

Nabathaeans
... 3. Conflicts: The Nabateans, led by Aretas (III (?)), espoused the cause of Hyrcanus
against Aristobulus, besieged the latter in Jerusalem and provoked the ...
/n/nabathaeans.htm - 11k

Nabataeans
... 3. Conflicts: The Nabateans, led by Aretas (III (?)), espoused the cause of Hyrcanus
against Aristobulus, besieged the latter in Jerusalem and provoked the ...
/n/nabataeans.htm - 11k

Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... The conflicts became so numerous, the appropriation of land so flagrant, that the
matter of sustenance became a serious problem (Judges 6:4). The multitude of ...
/g/gideon.htm - 36k

Gog (12 Occurrences)
... This prophecy has been regarded as fulfilled in the conflicts of the Maccabees with
Antiochus, the invasion and overthrow of the Chaldeans, and the temporary ...
/g/gog.htm - 14k

Gath (44 Occurrences)
... It was a walled town (2 Chronicles 26:6) and was not taken by Joshua, and, although
many conflicts took place between the Israelites and its people, it does ...
/g/gath.htm - 26k

Ephesdammim (1 Occurrence)
... encamped when David fought with Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1). It was probably so called
as having been the scene of frequent sanguinary conflicts between Israel and ...
/e/ephesdammim.htm - 8k

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