GLOBAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

TOPIC:

BIBLICAL PEACE MAKING

 Presentation Outline
General Introduction
Unit One: Understanding conflict
Unit Two: Understanding Peace
Unit Three: Living at Peace with Others
Unit Four: Temperaments, Peace and
Conflict
Unit Five: Biblical Reconciliation
 UNIT ONE
UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT
 What is Conflict?

1. Conflict is a misunderstanding and or

disagreement between two or more
parties over an issue;
2. Expressed in various negative attitudes
and behaviours; and
3. Driven by anger, intolerance, bitterness,
pain, hatred and evil thoughts.
 Nature of Conflict

1. Conflict begins with a misunderstanding which

brings about a wrong perception.
2. Conflict is a relationship in which there is
disagreement between two or more parties
over an issue.
3. The parties in conflict show certain kinds of
negative attitudes and behaviours towards
each other such as shouting, arguing,
quarrelling, fighting, physical assault and verbal
assault, and violence.
4. Conflict is a process. It has a starting
point and moves through different
stages with increasing and varying
intensity to a final stage or conclusion.
5. The outcomes of a conflict are either
positive or negative( destructive) or
both.
 The question is:

Why is conflict so much part

of our lives?
1. Different experiences, behaviours, attitudes,
interests (needs, tastes and values).
2. Therefore, our understanding, views,
opinions, perceptions and how we do things
will definitely be different.
3. As long as we live together and interact with
each other we are bound to misunderstand,
disagree, compete and argue with one
another over issues.
 Levels of Conflict

1. Intra-Personal Conflict
2. Interpersonal or Relational Conflicts
3. Intra-Group (Acts 6:1-2).
4. Inter-Group (Acts 6:1-2).
5. Conflicts of Interest – Nepotism, Self-
dealing  (Exodus 18:14-26; Luke 16:13;
Acts 6:4).
 Violence

Any attitude or behaviour (action) meant to cause:

• physical injury to yourself or the other person
including suicide, manslaughter or murder
• destruction of property
• psychological damage (mental, emotional, spiritual)
• social damage (strained relationships)
• mal-development
• deprivation
 Modes of Violence
• Physical: e.g., slapping, hitting, choking, stabbing,
flogging, crucifying, stoning, tiring, punching, kicking and
forced shaving and drinking.
• Sexual: e.g., rape, harassment, being forced to watch
pornography.
• Psychological or Emotional: e.g., controlling behaviour
(isolating from friends, family and culture); threating to
commit suicide or self-harm; threatening someone;
repeated following, watching or harassing.
• Deprivation: e.g., denying someone of his or her
legitimate rights, priviledges and needs
 The Conflict Process
1. Misunderstanding Wrong Perceptions

2. Disagreement
3. Disapproval
4. Arguments (accusations & counter accusations)
5. Anger (Psalm 4:4 {NKJV) & Eph. 4: 26-27)
6. Assaults (Physical and Verbal)
7. Evil thoughts Conflict
8. Violence
 Posturing in Conflict Situations

1.Assertiveness (Win – Lose Posture)

a) Self-conceited – An exaggerated
opinion of one’s own qualities or
abilities or having high sense of self-
esteem and self importance
b) Self-centered – seeks only personal
interests - egoistic
c) Pursues personal interest aggressively
Assertiveness (Win – Lose Posture,
cont.)
d) Very competitive
e) Would want to fight to the end and will
never give up.
f) Would want to win by all means
g) Retaliatory or vindictive
h) Always right
 Posturing in Conflict Situations (cont.)
2. Cooperativeness (win-win or lose-win
posturing):
• Others-centeredness – altruistic
• Ready to facilitate peace
• Interested in maintaining the relationship.
• Collaborating
• Compromise
• Accommodating
 Posturing in Conflict Situations (cont.)
3. Both assertive and cooperative (a lose-
lose posturing)
• Avoiding or withdrawing or escaping
(Genesis 16: 1 – 6; 2 Samuel 2: 22 – 25).
• Either running away from the conflict or
avoiding the person with whom they have
the conflict.
1. Let us read:
a) Philippians 2:3-9
b) Ephesians 4:1-6
c) Colossians 3:13-14
d) Gal. 5:19-26

2. Which of the postures is the ideal one for

the Christian to adopt during conflict
situations?
 Negative Conflict Outcomes

1. Damaged relationships
2. Leadership losses
3. Decline in spirituality
4. Conflict stops evangelism
5. Decline in Church attendance and growth
6. Divisions
7. No commitment to Christian work
8. Damaged reputation
9. Breakdown in healthy communication
 Positive Outcomes of Conflict
• Major spiritual advance
• Conflict reveals our sin
• Conflict provides the opportunity to practise
spiritual disciplines
• The power of the gospel is revealed
• Conflict can promote the spread of the gospel
• Strengthens relations after all
 Conclusion
1. Misunderstanding, wrong perceptions, disagreements,
arguments, competitions and conflict are not easily
avoidable and are not necessarily bad or evil in
themselves.
2. It is how we deal (attitudes and behaviours) with them
and their outcomes that are either bad or good.
3. It is the human being in such situations who is either
evil (bad) or godly (good)
4. This is what differentiates the Christian from the
unbeliever. Read Romans 14: 19.
5. Christians must always pursue things
which make peace in all situations
6. Christians must always pursue things that
may edify another by:
a) glorifying God.
b) strengthening relationships,
c) bringing growth and development to the
individuals, the church and society,
 UNIT TWO

UNDERSTANDING PEACE
 Introduction
1. Human, physical, material and spiritual
growth and development towards
perfection can only take place when there
is peace.
2. This is because peace provides the
space, situations and nourishment that
are required for growth and development
(Mark 9: 50).
 Peace as Used in the Bible
1. Old Testament Hebrew word for peace is
shalom means:
a) A condition of freedom from all forms of
disturbances from both inside and outside
a society as ell as within the soul (Psalm
23; Psalm 46:10; Psalm 122:6-9).
b) It implies total soundness in terms of
health, prosperity and well-being in
general.
2.New Testament Hebrew word for peace is Eirene
a)Eirene means almost the same as shalom;
b)But it also two types of harmonious relationships:
• The vertical harmonious relationship between
God and humans – Peace with God (Luke 2:14;
Rom. 5:1-2; 2 Cor. 5:18-19).
• The horizontal harmonious relationship
between individuals and among people and
nations (Mark 9:50; John 17: 20-23; Rom.14:19).
 What Does the Bible Teach About Peace?

1. Peace is the very nature or character of God -

“the God of peace” (Rom. 15:33; 2 Cor. 13:11)
2. Jesus Christ is the “Prince of Peace” (Is. 9:6;
Eph. 2:13-18).
3. Christians must be peace makers to be
blessed as the children of God (John 1: 12;
Mat. 5:9)
4. Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that every
Christian must or ought to bear (Gal. 5:22-23)
 Dimensions of Biblical Peace

1.Peace with God: - From God to humans by the means of

righteousness through Jesus Christ (Col. 1:19-20; Rom.
5:1).
2.Peace of God (Inner peace)- Peace within the person.
•It is harmony and calmness of body, mind, and spirit that
goes beyond earthly conditions
•A sense of wholeness, contentment, tranquility, order,
rest and security due to absence of anxiety and fear,
good health, joy, feeling of freedom, spiritual peace,
feeling of loving kindness.
(Phil. 4:7; 1 Thes. 5:23; John 14:27 &16:33)
3.Social peace: This is peace with other people or
among people.
• Referred to as “unity” in Psalm 133 - not just the
absence of conflict and strife but the presence of
genuine harmony, understanding and goodwill.
• It is God’s delight that we keep a spirit of unity
among us (Rom. 15:5; Eph. 4:3; John 17:23).
• God commands all Christians to do everything
possible to “live at peace (in unity) with everyone”
whether or not they are Christians (Rom. 12:18).
4.Peace between and among nations (1
Kings 5:12)
5.Peace with nature:
a)Harmony with natural environment and
mother earth.
b)God wants us to protect and preserve
his creations for our own good and for
posterity (Jeremiah 2:7 & Leviticus
25:24)
 Conclusion

1. Peace must and ought to be the disposition of the

believer in Christ because peace is a fruit of the
Holy Spirit.
2. In daily living, as believers trust in God, cast their
anxieties and cares on Him and live righteous lives,
they continually experience peace with God which
gives them the peace of God and subsequently
lead them, by GRACE and the POWER OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT to be at peace with each other and
nature (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7).
 UNIT THREE

LIVING AT PEACE WITH OTHERS

 A Call to Peaceful Co-existence
1. “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and
pursue it” (Psalm 34:14).
2. "Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one
with another" (Mark 9: 50)
3. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18)
4. “Let us therefore make every effort to do what
leads to peace and to mutual edification”
(Romans 14: 19).
 What are these Scriptures Teaching Us?
1. Every Christian should desire and choose
peace in all situations.
2. Peace does not just happen, instead we must:
• learn to be peaceful
• seek and pursue peace passionately
• work hard to live at peace with all manner of
people
• consciously take steps to ensure that there is
peace among us.
 How Can We Do All These?
1. We must learn to show attitudes and behaviours
that can promote peaceful coexistence as much as
possible
2. We must avoid attitudes and behaviours that will
always bring about misunderstanding,
disagreements and intolerance and which when not
handled well can bring about disputes and conflicts
that will result in destructive consequences.
3. Remember: “Prevention is better than cure”
Let us now look at some attitudes and
behaviours that can either bring peace
or conflict.
 1.Satisfaction Vs Deprivation of Needs

1. Deprivation is denying someone of his or her

needs especially when it is considered to be a
right.
2. Needs are things that are very essential to life and
these include spiritual needs; psychological needs;
safety and security needs; love needs (affection,
care, concern, acceptance and a sense of
belonging; and self-esteem needs.
3. Satisfaction of needs bring peace.
4. Deprivation leads to conflict.
 2. Use of Position Power

a) Pastors’ Spouses have tremendous power and

influence.
b) Held in high esteem and respected because of
the reverence that people have for the Pastor.
c) This reverence comes from how the people
perceive the position of the Pastor.
d) Power can be put to a good use and it can be
abused depending on the intention of the one
exercising it.
e)Rightful use of position power is when it is
utilized to serve the true will of God, to promote
the mission of the church and to ensure the
growth, development and total well-being of
others.
f) Rightful use of position power leads to peace.
g)Abuse and misuse of position power breed
legitimate resistance, discontentment and
disrespect and therefore a potential for conflict.
h) How to use position power rightfully
Servant leadership and not lordship (Mark 9: 35 & Mark
10: 33-34)
Devoting yourself to the ministry of the saints, make
people submit themselves to you (1 Cor.16:15-16; 1
Thes. 5:12 -13)
Watching out for the souls as those you must give
account (Heb. 13:17).
Be of good character (1 Tim. 3:2 & Titus 1: 6-8)
Not provoking people to anger (Eph. 6:4 & Col. 3:21)
Acknowledging those who refresh your spirit and
provide for you (1 Cor. 16:17-18)
 3. Showing Competence

a) In-depth knowledge, understanding and

application of the word of God
b) In-depth knowledge and understanding of
issues and situations and to act accordingly
c) Teaching of sound doctrine.
d) Having and providing the right and adequate
information (Good Counsel).
e) Mentoring and being a role model to others
especially the young women/ ladies
4. Integrity, honesty, sincerity and living a
blameless life (2 Sam. 22:26; 2 Chro. 29:17; Job
2:3; Psalm 101:2; Prov. 2:6-8; Prov. 10:9; Prov.
28:6; 2 Tim. 2:15)
5. Commitment to Unity (1 Cor. 1:10, 1 Cor.14: 33,
Gal. 5:19-26, Ephesians 4:1-6)
6. A more positive way of dealing with perceived
enemies or trouble makers or the opposition
(Genesis 50:19-20)
7. Managing Work the Jethro Way (Exodus 18:1-27)
 8. Effective Communication

The way we communicate information can elicit

either positive or negative effects on or
responses from your listener(s):
a) Can damage or strengthen/ improve
relationships.
b) Can hurt feelings leading to
provocation/anger, pain, hatred and frustration
c) Can bring smiles, excitement, joy, love,
humility and happiness
d) Dampen the spirit of people or motivate or
encourage them
e) Kill the spiritual life of people or put them on fire
for Jesus
f) Drive or push people to commit sin (murder,
adultery, fornication, hatred etc.) or to remain just
and faithful to the Lord
The Golden Rule: “learn to say the right thing,
at the right time, to the right audience
(person), and at the right place”.
 UNIT FIVE
BIBLICAL RECONCILIATION
 Introduction
1. Christians have been called to the ministry of reconciliation (2
Corinthians 5: 18-19).
2. Reconciliation is needed when there is conflict and enmity
between and among people.
3. Reconciliation means helping people to make peace first with
God and, second to make peace with one another.
4. Making peace with one another means:
a) Making peace between you and the other person or
persons.
b) Helping people to make peace between and among
themselves.
 What is Reconciliation?

Reconciliation involves restoring friendly

relations by ensuring that the views or belief
or interests or goals of the parties in conflict
have become compatible.
3. When we say we are now reconciled, it means three
things:
a) We have removed all the things that had led to the
conflict and enmity between us. Therefore, we have
now become compatible.
b) We have restored our relationship that was damaged
due to the conflict.
c) As such, there is no more tension or enmity between
us because we have let go all the anger or bitterness
that we have had with each other (no more hatred,
no more grudge and no more record of wrongs
against each other)
 Biblical Steps to Reconciliation

1. Conviction
2. Confession
3. Repentance
4. Forgiveness
5. Restitution
6. Conciliation
1. Conviction
a) Conviction is the work of our conscience which helps us in
making personal decisions of right and wrong.
b) Therefore, conviction simply means a convinced conscience.
c) The conscience can only be convinced through the ministry
of the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit.
d) When the conscience is fed with the Word of God, The Holy
Spirit guides it to submit to God in a pure heart and so we
can be guided towards conviction of guilt in many
circumstances. It can tell us that things are wrong even
before we know why they are wrong.
 Conviction (cont.)
e) Conviction therefore is the process of using the Word of
God through the leading of the Holy Spirit to make
someone to become convinced of his or her mistakes or
errors that have contributed to the conflict.
f) When the person becomes convicted he or she will admit
his or her guilt and therefore compelled to admit a truth.
g) Let the persons in conflict situations understand that
errors and mistakes against the other person and their
own contributions to the conflict is sin against God (Luke
15: 21).
2. Confession

a) To confess means to admit a wrongdoing and openly

admitting that one is guilty of a mistake or error.
b) All the following three things must happen for
confession to exist:
• A conviction of a wrongdoing,
• A heartfelt knowledge that what you have done is
indeed wrong, and
• Openly admitting the wrongdoing to a person
outside of yourself.
Confession (cont.)
c) We often find it difficult to accept or admit that, by our
attitudes, behaviours and words, we have also
contributed in some ways towards a conflict situation.
d) As such, we will always try to defend and justify our
own actions and words whilst condemning those of
the other party.
e) The Bible clearly teaches that the conscience is not a
perfect indicator of right and wrong. It can be weak (1
Cor. 8:12), defiled (Titus 1:15) and even seared with a
hot iron (1 Tim. 4:20).
Confession (cont.)
f) Yet forgiveness cannot come without confession.
g) God clearly requires that we confess our sins to Him:
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and
will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
h) James 5:16 states: “Therefore, confess your sins
(faults or transgressions) to one another and pray
for one another, that you may be healed”.
3. Repentance
a) Confession alone is not a sufficient condition for
forgiveness. God also asks that we repent.
b) Repentance means expressing a feeling of remorse or
regret for past conducts towards someone and genuinely
turning away or having a change of mind.
c) True repentance is a 'godly sorrow' for wrongful doings and
an act of turning around and going in the opposite direction.
d) Repentance is just simply saying: “I admit my mistakes and
the subsequent harm, hurt, pains, agony and suffering that I
have caused you and I pledge not to do any such thing
again”.
Repentance (cont.)
e) Repentance should bring about fundamental
changes in a person's relationship with the other
person (s) and therefore with God.
f) The Apostle Paul notes this in Acts 3:19-20:
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins
may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may
come from the Lord, and that he may send the
Christ, who has been appointed for you - even
Jesus." 
4. Forgiveness

a) In the Bible, the Greek word “aphiemi”

translated as forgiveness literally means the
acts of:
• putting something away; or
• laying it aside; or
• releasing someone from the guilt or penalty of
an offence; or
• letting go an offence; or
• pardoning the offender
Forgiveness (Cont.)
b) Jesus used this comparison to the cancelling of
debts in his parable of the unmerciful slave (Mat.
18:23-35).
c) We forgive others when we let go of resentment
and give up any claim to be compensated for the
hurt or loss we have suffered and no more keep
any record of wrongs (2 Corinthians 5: 18-19)
d) The Bible teaches that unselfish love is the basis
for true forgiveness, since love “does not keep
account of the injury.” (1 Cor. 13:4-5).
5. Restitution

a) Restitution is the act of restoring or paying back

something lost or stolen to its proper owner.
b) Example is the story in Luke 19:1-10 (NIV) is
about Zacchaeus the Tax Collector.
 Verses 8 states: “But Zacchaeus stood up and
said to the Lord, Look, Lord! Here and now I
give half of my possessions to the poor, and if
I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will
pay back four times the amount.”
6. Conciliation

a) Conciliation means doing or saying

something with the mind of stopping
someone from being angry
b) The opposite of conciliation is incitement or
provocation.
c) Conciliation is the final stage of the
reconciliation process.
Conciliation (cont.)

d) At that stage each party assures the other party or

parties both frankly and openly:
• We have restored our relationship that was damaged
due to the conflict
• We are now friends again because we hold nothing
against each other again (no hatred, no grudges or no
more record of wrongs again).
• We are no more angry or bitter with each other again
• There is no more hatred in our hearts against each
other because there is no removed tension between us.
 What the Bible Teaches about Reconciliation

1. God loves and rewards peace makers (Mathew 5: 9).

2. Restoring relationships are far more important to God
than religious practices (Mat. 5: 23-24; Hosea 6:6; and
Mat.12:7).
3. We must always make it a priority to reconcile with one
another (Matthew 5:25-26; Luke 12: 58-59).
4. We must be motivated by love to reconcile (Mat. 18:15-
18; Prov.10:12, Gal. 6:1-5, and Eph. 4:1-3, 25-26, 29-31).
5. We must be willing and ready to ask for forgiveness and
to forgive if asked (Mat. 18:21-35).
 Biblical Principles
1. Either the offended or the offender can initiate the
reconciliation process
2. Reconciliation must be initiated promptly (Ephesians
4:26; Matthew 5:23-24; Matthew 5:25)
3. Reconciliation must first be done one-on-one
(Matt 18:15)
4. Reconciliation can be done with the help of others
(Matthew 18:16-17)
5. Reconciliation can be done by wise and capable saints
in the church (1 Corinthians 6:1 & 4-5)
6. Reconciliation is possible only if the parties are
ready to forgive in love (Colossians 3:13; 1 Cor.
13:5)
7. Reconciliation is possible if the parties
communicate appropriately in a self-controlled
manner (James 1:19-20; Proverbs 15:1)
8. Reconciliation is possible if the parties seek peace
rather than revenge (Romans 12:17-21)
9. Reconciliation is possible if the parties look to the
interests of each other (Philippians 2:4)