Wanderman in the Wilderness

God's word applied in the world.

Conflict Free Zone?

Another April article? Well, she is a special giraffe, but…

Last time we visited April the Giraffe, we talked about “watchful living.” As I noted, fans were growing impatient and dissatisfied with all the waiting. Since then, the number of “the dissatisfied” increased significantly.

Negative comments are pouring in from those who are upset that they are getting charged to know the gender of the baby. Also, people who paid for early warning alerts at the birth are complaining. Add those comments to the impatient people and the conspiracy folks who say the whole thing is a publicity scam, and viola…conflict!

The problem? The site says it is a “conflict free zone!” Silly giraffe, those don’t exist; at least not where humans are involved.

“Conflict free” zones on the Internet are a bit utopian and naïve. When people post with anonymity, their best side doesn’t exactly come out. Even a simple giraffe birth has caused conflict.

So here’s a question: how about the church? Does it have an example to offer? After all, it is made up of people. Are churches “conflict free zones?” Not if people are involved!

Nevertheless, we strive for something greater in the church. But if we rely on human nature, we will never achieve it. True freedom from conflict is in the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control.

There are hundreds of verses that teach us to rid conflict from among us. Why hundreds? Because our fleshly desires put self ahead of others. The battle is to overcome those thoughts. Resolving conflict is, as Jesus put it, a blessing to “the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

So…“conflict free” giraffes? Maybe. “Conflict free” church? Definitely! But only when His people submit to the Spirit of Truth!

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