Resolving conflict

[Sas123]

I came across an interesting question in my study book today for my bible group. It asks How can we avoid unnecessary conflict between God’s people today?
Today I was having lunch in a social centre and I was chatting with a lady who said she was subscribed to a Christian radio station. She mentioned something about numbers, I can’t remember exactly what she said but to the effect that they were irrelevant . I said numerology is in the bible. She replied Just because it’s there doesn’t mean you have to believe it.
In fact certain numbers are mentioned many many times. To be very honest I am young in the Faith and I have not read very much scripture but I do know this fact.
Love for God is primary. I am studying and reading so that I can know God better.
I could have said something to this lady but I thought it better to remain quiet. In Proverbs it says any fool may quarrel. I will pray for her instead that she (and I) walk in God’s grace and love.

 

[WIP]

I came across an interesting question in my study book today for my bible group. It asks How can we avoid unnecessary conflict between God’s people today?

Could start by letting go of our pride. In my experience, and I'm just as guilty as anyone, most conflicts that arise between believers come about when the party's involved dig in their heals and staunchly defend their positions. Too often we think of ourselves as attorneys and judges rather than just witnesses. We struggle when someone won't accept our point of view because we want to prove we are right.

Jesus spoke of this in Mathew 10 when He sent out the 12 to the lost sheep of Israel.

11 “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out.
12 And when you go into a household, greet it.
13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet."
Matthew 12:11-14 NKJV

 

[Sas123]

Thankyou. What simple and beautiful verses. I agree we are witnesses rather than judges. Often pride or ego get in the way. That seems to be a problem !

 

[Sas123]

And I’m guilty of that too.

 

[for_his_glory]

Don't think I could add anymore to what WIP said. Just be the Godly woman that God has called you to be as we do not need to get involved in conflicts, but grow in grace and mercy for others.

 

[WIP]

Thankyou. What simple and beautiful verses. I agree we are witnesses rather than judges. Often pride or ego get in the way. That seems to be a problem !

Yes, James gave good advice when he talked about bridling our tongues. (James 3:5-10)

 

[Sas123]

Yes, James gave good advice when he talked about bridling our tongues. (James 3:5-10)

...no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

 

[Sas123]

I wrote my anecdote so I could learn and grow. The question in my study book related to Joshua where the eastern tribes of the Israelites built a large altar on the Western side of the river Jordan.
In my understanding so far, this wasn’t really an unnecessary conflict. God was testing the solidarity of his people.

 

[Sas123]

Perhaps I didn’t use a very good anecdote to illustrate the idea of unnecessary conflict. But what it says in James about this is valuable.

 

[hawkman]

Does God use numbers in the scripture ? Yes He does , many times .

I said numerology is in the bible.

What is your definition of numerology ?

 

[Sas123]

I don’t really have a definition of numerology but in the bible numbers have significance and meaning beyond just numerical value. There are very many 3’s and 7’s for example. How do you see it ?

 

[Sas123]

I don’t really have a definition of numerology but in the bible numbers have significance and meaning beyond just numerical value. There are very many 3’s and 7’s for example. How do you see it ?

In my understanding so far, it is different to being a “pseudoscience”. It is symbolic.

 

[hawkman]

In my understanding so far, it is different to being a “pseudoscience”. It is symbolic.

The lady in your conversation may have had a different understanding of what you meant by numerology . In other words yours and hers definition for the word were not the same .

I agree God has a purpose in the numbers used .

 

[Sas123]

The lady in your conversation may have had a different understanding of what you meant by numerology . In other words yours and hers definition for the word were not the same .

I agree God has a purpose in the numbers used .

Yeah I’m not sure

 

[evenifigoalone]

As the saying goes:
“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity,”

 

[Sas123]

I like all of those answers, Thanks. Thankyou for your time and generosity ?

 

[Cooper]

I don’t really have a definition of numerology but in the bible numbers have significance and meaning beyond just numerical value. There are very many 3’s and 7’s for example. How do you see it ?

See here for an explanation, halfway down the page

NUMBERS AND NUMERALS - JewishEncyclopedia.com

Complete contents the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia.

jewishencyclopedia.com