Listening Instead Of Talking
The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him. – Acts 11:1-2
Conflict is an inevitable and unavoidable part of life. There is no way you are going to live on this planet and not face conflict. It’s just not possible. But believe it or not, there is actually a positive side to conflict.
I firmly believe that the Lord uses conflict to sanctify us and make us more like His Son. When we are in uncomfortable, tense, or hurtful situations, we have the opportunity for the Spirit to work in and through us so that we can become more Christlike.
Now, you might think I’m crazy. After all, who tries to find the positive side of conflict after all? But trust me, if you really think about it, there is positivity and hope to be found even in the midst of confrontation. Let’s look at one of those positive sides now.
One great thing about conflict is that it allows you to practice listening instead of talking. With Simon Peter in today’s key passage of Scripture, he allowed them to say what they wanted to say to him. He allowed them to criticize him and share what was upsetting them.
Many of us never resolve conflict because we don't know what the issues are. If we are going to settle a conflict, we need to listen and not talk. I know that is easier said than done. Maybe, that is the reason why God gave us two ears and only one tongue. God wants us to do twice as much listening as talking.
God cares how we respond. Conflict gives us a chance to practice not only using our heads instead of our emotions, but it gives us a chance to listen instead of talk. We don't always need to say what we think immediately. We need to find out what is happening with the other person. Why are they saying what they are saying? Sometimes, we just need to pray a brief prayer to say, “Lord, help me to zip it!” God will let you experience His power in your life when you choose to listen instead of talk in the midst of conflict.
Conflict is an inevitable and unavoidable part of life. There is no way you are going to live on this planet and not face conflict. It’s just not possible. But believe it or not, there is actually a positive side to conflict.
I firmly believe that the Lord uses conflict to sanctify us and make us more like His Son. When we are in uncomfortable, tense, or hurtful situations, we have the opportunity for the Spirit to work in and through us so that we can become more Christlike.
Now, you might think I’m crazy. After all, who tries to find the positive side of conflict after all? But trust me, if you really think about it, there is positivity and hope to be found even in the midst of confrontation. Let’s look at one of those positive sides now.
One great thing about conflict is that it allows you to practice listening instead of talking. With Simon Peter in today’s key passage of Scripture, he allowed them to say what they wanted to say to him. He allowed them to criticize him and share what was upsetting them.
Many of us never resolve conflict because we don't know what the issues are. If we are going to settle a conflict, we need to listen and not talk. I know that is easier said than done. Maybe, that is the reason why God gave us two ears and only one tongue. God wants us to do twice as much listening as talking.
God cares how we respond. Conflict gives us a chance to practice not only using our heads instead of our emotions, but it gives us a chance to listen instead of talk. We don't always need to say what we think immediately. We need to find out what is happening with the other person. Why are they saying what they are saying? Sometimes, we just need to pray a brief prayer to say, “Lord, help me to zip it!” God will let you experience His power in your life when you choose to listen instead of talk in the midst of conflict.
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2 Comments
Zip it. Be still I really might learn something
It is easier to hear from God when I am quiet and listen. I wasn't getting any help with a situation, I decided to pray for the perpetrators and for Jesus to do work in their lives.