ATTACK: Goodbook 01-11-13

Goodbook messages arrive every Tuesday and Friday with a Scripture reading and ideas for how to apply the reading in our lives. We are reading through the book of Acts. For additional Scripture reading, you can follow the Advanced Track.

Reading: Acts 18:9a

"¹² While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. ¹³ “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”  ¹⁴ Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. ¹⁵ But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” ¹⁶ So he drove them off. ¹⁷ Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.

Application:

What a gripping lesson in conflict management!  We all experience conflict in our lives.  In our relationships and interactions there are times when personalities clash, opinions clash, ideas clash, approaches clash, tempers clash, etc.  Add into the mix that we are sinful human beings, and the likelihood of conflict escalates.

Conflict is inevitable.  We don’t have a choice about conflict.  We do have a choice about how we respond to the conflict.  In this case study, we learn one thing to do and one thing not to do.

TO DO: Deal directly with the person you are in conflict with!  The Jews had a problem with Paul.  Rather than settle the matter with Paul, they tried to bring in a third party to settle the matter for them.  This is referred to as “triangling.”  It’s when two parties try to lower the tension level between them by drawing in a third party.  For instance, Jane is mad with Jim, but she doesn’t want to deal with Jim so she goes to Judy about it.  This is not a healthy way to handle conflict.  The best way is to speak directly with the person you have an issue with.  I love Gallio’s reply.  He interrupts them and says, “Settle the matter yourself.”  Jesus lays out this approach in Matthew 18:15-19.

NOT TO DO: Don’t take out your frustration on an innocent party!  The Jews were so upset they did not get a hearing with Gallio that they turned on the synagogue leader – who had nothing to do with the decision – and beat him.  Sounds ridiculous, but don’t we all do this from time to time?  Someone makes us mad at work, and rather than dealing with it at work we bring it home and take it out on our family.  Maybe you can think of a similar scenario.  If you have done this, it would be a great idea to apologize and seek restoration.

Are you in conflict with someone right now?  Whenever you are, make sure to:

1) Deal with the person directly
2) Don’t take out your frustration on an innocent party

Share your comments and application ideas...