Conflicts

Mark 6: 21-29

2- The second kind of conflict is External conflicts:

These are conflicts between others and us. Sometimes these conflicts are positive. When we face challenges and we do not want to compromise our principle, we face external conflicts. Christ is the example of this. He stood firm in his decision, which was costly. It cost him his life.

We read in Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

The pattern of this world is evil. When we follow Jesus, we can no longer follow the old life; the old “pattern” will be transformed. Because of our new life, we will face external conflicts with others and situations.

King Herod knew that John is a man of God. King Herod knew that he was doing something wrong. It was easier to live that kind of life and keep John in the prison, as if he was doing something good for John, or maybe he thought he was pleasing even God. Moreover, here is the conflict:

Herod’s kingdom was threatened when he heard the news from the man of God. On one hand, he knew that the man of God was right. On the other hand, he loved Herodias, and wanted to please her.

Once a theologian said about God and Evil: “Evil always responds with fear and anger when light or love appears on the scene. At such a time conflict is unavoidable.” ¹

God is Love; God is light. When we follow the God of light, it shows how dirty the world that we live in is. Therefore always conflicts will appear. We cannot avoid them. When the light of God appears, it will create a conflict with the “dark old patterns” of life.

Last Sunday we were talking about the disciples who were sent two by two. Jesus knew that they would face these conflicts. He was preparing them. Christianity is not “Disneyland, dream land.” It is a struggle. We have good examples. Vartan and his friends, they had a conflict, they did not give up. Dietrich Bonheoffer, a German Theologian, was another example of being in a political conflict and he chose Christ, and it was costly.

3. We also face Spiritual Conflicts: This is a conflict of responding to God’s calling or not responding.

We can try to avoid this conflict. We can pretend never to have heard or seen anything.

There was a Bedouin trying to eat dates at night. The first one he got had worms in it. He threw it away. The second one again had worms in it. He threw it away too. Then he blew the candle in his tent, saw it was dark enough, and ate the next date!

We have calls from God. We can try to silence them and create a spiritual conflict.

You know, most of the time God’s call is greater than your personal comfort and wisdom.

I have experienced it in my life. When I graduated 20 years ago, Lebanon was in war. Many around me in the US told me not to go to serve there. It was more convenient not to go. However, I had the call and the promise to return to my people. This was a spiritual conflict in me. Which one I should choose? Staying and serving God here was an opportunity but going to the Middle East serving there was another challenge. I chose to keep my promise and listen to the voice of God who called me to serve my people in that part of the world.

When I planned to the US a year ago, many said, “Where are you going?”

I had to obey God’s calling. I saw a mission new field to serve in CACC. Last week life in Lebanon became hell again. I feel very bad about Lebanon. Innocent people are suffering. I feel very bad as a pastor who served them that I am not with them in their suffering. It is a conflict in me, and I pray to God to bring peace in the land.

One last notice:

We spoke about three kinds of conflicts: Internal, external, and spiritual.

What kind of conflict you are facing today?

When you find yourself in one of these conflicts, ask yourself what got me to reach to this conflict in the first place? How in the world you fell in that conflict?

King Herod’s problem was that he did not listen to the first, original warning. He did not listen and he continued in the “old Pattern” of life. One after the other, like the domino impact, things will escalate. In the end, it might be too late and get out of hand.

King Herod should ask: Is it the problem my wife? Is it my oath? Am I impulsive and drunk? Is it the issue that I do not listen to the Man of God?

Evaluate yourself today: Where am I heading? Do I have conflicts that negative and destroying my relationship with God and others.

DO I have conflicts with the will of God and I am not obeying it?

1 Ritz, Eric S. Faith In Conflict