2026-10-30
Good morning, Dear Ones,
In this lengthy series on GA 5: 22-23, I am directed to remind us all of what is said. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, you, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (humility), and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” The Holy Spirit has charged me with a most difficult task, i.e. to write about self-control. Since I am human with foibles like everyone else, except God (Who is perfect) He obviously tests me as much as anyone else in this area. IS 5: 20-21, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.” James certainly wasn’t doing this when he wrote about the tongue in JAS 3: 2a, “We all stumble in many ways…”
Earlier in JAS 1: 19, he writes, “Be swift to hear and slow to speak.” There is a lot of truth in what the Lord has given James to say. It is interesting to note that James himself didn’t really come to saving faith until his half-brother, Jesus, died and was resurrected. PR 15: 1-3 reminds us to measure our response to something said, to “changing temperature” (the mood of the moment, which changes). “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adores knowledge but the mouth of a fool gushes folly. The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” Speaking before hearing is an act of foolishness. PR 18: 12-13, “Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. To answer before listening –that is folly and shame.” No human opinions of us are more important than those of the Lord.
We are given a strategic advantage in a conflict when we control our emotions. PR 19: 11, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” How can we ignore Christ’s words and not read MT 5: 38-40 (which I hope you will do now)? While this is not always possible, a wise person can sometimes utter words or take action to prevent a conflict from happening in the first place. PR 17: 14, “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so, drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” Admittedly, there are some people who have toxic personalities. With them, we are eventually forced to deal with the conflict at hand. However, the Lord has ways to do this. I can’t help but think of the prophet Nathan, who needed to bring to King David’s attention that the king had sinned. Nathan appealed to God on how to do this, and when faced directly with King David, God gave Nathan a way to succeed, in 2 SAM 12: 1-14, which I hope you will read. God sends Nathan a parable to which King David would exclaim an injustice was done. In verse 7, Nathan says, “You are the man” and goes on discussing the killing of Uriah, the Hittite and taking Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife. God’s judgment of David’s house follows. My personal experience with a marriage that ended in divorce taught me through looking back at the consequences of bad behavior done to me to see the Lord’s hand in our lives in a very real way. There is so much more to write about conflict resolution that the Holy Spirit has plenty to say in the weeks to come about it.
PRAYER: Dearest Lord, You hear our prayers and urge us to confess our most shameful words and actions with You. Then, You are willing to give us advice in the Scriptures to rectify wrongdoing or wrongful words said to us. There is no guarantee that each conflict will be resolved to our liking, but those of us willing to trust You, pray and plead with You for Your intervention will not be ignored. Along with our confession, even if we are not the wrongdoers of such situations, we must exercise patience in finding a resolution. You will intervene in Your own perfect time and way. And when a conflict can’t be resolved, Your response to it will be righteous. PS 34: 15-17, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry…The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears. He delivers them from all their troubles.” Righteousness may lead to persecution, but God vindicates. MT 5: 10, “Blessed are the persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” I have to believe that 6,000,000 innocent Jews mowed down by the Nazis are in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Dearest Lord, we ask You to open our hearts to all Your teaching, including that on conflict resolution. You remind us, in IS 41: 10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” We offer You praise and thanksgiving forever, for being the God You are, in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: The Holy Spirit commands me to write about some basic precepts in the process of conflict resolution next week. The process of conflict resolution is not always easy and quick. It requires precision to God’s word and patience. Remember 2 TIM 3: 16-17, “All Scripture is God breathed and is useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” How can we ignore the praise and thanksgiving that our loving God so richly deserves?
Grace be with You Always,
Lynn JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2026. All Rights Reserved.
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