What are some of the idols of the heart?
Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation - Lesson 2 - Repent Before God, Question 19&20, p. 32-33
In a small, close-knit church community, disputes over worship music style can sometimes create unexpected friction. Emily, who cherished traditional hymns, and Mark, who preferred contemporary worship songs, found themselves at odds during a church council meeting. Both had good intentions—they wanted to enhance the worship experience and draw nearer to God. However, their differing preferences led to heated arguments and lingering resentment.
The conflict escalated as each tried to rally support for their viewpoint. Emily felt her heartfelt, time-honored hymns were being pushed aside, while Mark believed the new songs were more relatable to the younger generation. Both were passionate about worship but failed to see the value in the other's perspective.
James 4:1-2 reminds us, "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel." Emily and Mark's good desires for meaningful worship became a source of strife because they held their preferences too tightly.
Besides the First Commandment, which calls us to place God above all, other commandments that might be broken in this anecdote include the Fifth Commandment, "You shall not murder," and the Eighth Commandment, "You shall not share false testimony against your neighbor," and the Tenth Commandment, "You shall not covet." While no physical harm occurred, the Fifth Commandment encompasses harboring anger and resentment in our hearts, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:21-22. The desire to have one’s preference prevail, they talked with church members about one another rather than to one another leading to jealousy and discord. This, then led to violations of the Tenth Commandment, which warns against covetousness. Both Emily and Mark, in their fervor, allowed their passions to overshadow the call to love and unity, thus transgressing these sacred guidelines.
After weeks of tension, their pastor intervened, facilitating a heartfelt conversation between the two. As they expressed their frustrations and listened to each other's hearts, they began to understand the value in both styles of worship. Mutual confession followed, with Emily admitting her stubbornness and Mark confessing his insensitivity.
They forgave each other, embracing the truth of Colossians 3:13: "bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." Their reconciliation not only restored their relationship but also enriched the church's worship experience, blending both traditional and contemporary elements.
We, know that God's forgiveness is always available to us. As 1 John 1:9 assures, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Embrace His grace today and extend it to others, fostering unity and love in all your relationships.
This blog series is adapted from Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation. You can experience this teaching in several ways:
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