How To Determine A Conflicting State

1
How To Determine A Conflicting State

• Christians are to be clear thinkers Phili. 4
  6, Heb. 5 14, Rom. 12 2, I Thes. 5 21, Eph. 5
  15, 17, 10.
• Not always the case, though Galatians 2 11-14.

2
How To Determine A Conflicting State

• 12 For before that certain came from James, he
  did eat with the Gentiles but when they were
  come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing
  them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the
  other Jews dissembled likewise with him insomuch
  that Barnabas also was carried away with their
  dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they
  walked not uprightly according to the truth of
  the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If
  thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of
  Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest
  thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? (Gal.
  2.)

3
How To Determine A Conflicting State

• What was Peter thinking?
• Was he thinking as a Jew?
• Was he thinking as a group?
• Was he emotionally thinking?
• Was he even thinking at all?
• We shall now notice some conditions that will
  indicate a state of conflict hence, caution.

4
How To Determine A Conflicting State

• When we do not seem able to identify a
  particular issue.
• A. I just cannot tell you the problem, there
  seem to be a lot of problems, I just do not
  know! (Cp. Gal. 5 12-15.)

5
How To Determine A Conflicting State

• Apparent inability to ascertain the seriousness
  of an issue.
• A. The marriage required or not required in view
  of Exodus 22 16.

6
How To Determine A Conflicting State

• Can not intellectually discuss the matter.
• A. We are to be able to provide evidence and
  answer arguments (I Pet. 3 15).

7
How To Determine A Conflicting State

• Energy spent and focus on motive assignment.
• A. You are saying that because (cp. I Tim. 6
  4).

8
How To Determine A Conflicting State

• Resentment at being questioned, refusal to
  discuss.
• A. Can we imagine where the problem of Acts 15
  could have gone if those in the Jerusalem church
  had refused to talk about the issue?

9
How To Determine A Conflicting State

• Calling one a liar without proof and ignoring
  the real issue.
• A. Janes teacher called today, wife explains
  to the husband, and I am running about ten
  minutes late with dinner. You are a liar and I
  have had it, says he.

10
How To Determine A Conflicting State

• When all we can see is a people connection or
  affinity.
• A. My child would never lie, parent blindly
  defends their child and refuses to address the
  matter at hand.

11
How To Determine A Conflicting State

• Conclusion
• Many terrible things result due to our inability
  to control our thinking and emotions. Families
  are broken up, children are made to suffer, and
  local church experience division in many cases
  because of this problem to focus.

12
How To Determine A Conflicting State

• 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and
  edify one another, even as also ye do. 12 And we
  beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour
  among you, and are over you in the Lord, and
  admonish you 13 And to esteem them very highly
  in love for their work's sake. And be at peace
  among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you,
  brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the
  feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward
  all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil
  unto any man but ever follow that which is good,
  both among yourselves, and to all men (I Thes.
  5).