(2 Corinthians 4:2 MSG) “We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't
maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes… Rather, we keep everything we do and
say out in the open…”
Behind the Mask
(Proverbs 14:13 TLB) “Laughter cannot mask a heavy
heart. When the laughter ends, the grief remains.”
When conflict arises, we are tempted to…
Dominate it.
Ignore it.
Whine about it.
White flag it.
End it.
Unmasking Conflict
(James 4:1-3) “What causes fights and quarrels
among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want
something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you
want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When
you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may
spend what you get on your pleasures.”
1. Look within myself.
(Matthew 7:3-4) “Why do you look at the speck of
sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own
eye? How can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,'
when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?”
2. Talk to God first.
(Philippians 4:6-7) “Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Proverbs 18:13) “He who answers before
listening--that is his folly and his shame.”
3. Let God do a work in me.
(1 Peter 1:6-7 TLB) “So be truly glad! There is
wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here.
These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong
and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it— and your faith
is far more precious to God than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong
after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much
praise and glory and honor on the day of his return.”
4. Donʼt expect from man what should only come
from God.
(Psalm 33:22 NLT) “Let your unfailing love
surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
Video
Discussion Guide
Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands
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