Week 3: Snapshots- Images of a Health Family- Healthy Conflict

Unhealthy conflict destroys families, marriages, relationships
Read 1 Peter 3:8-9 -Five Traits For Christ-followers

1. He says first, all of you be one mind "harmonious,"

2. Next, all of you be "sympathetic,"

3. Next, all of you be "brotherly,"

4. Next, all of you be "tenderhearted."

5. Next, all of you be humble attitude "humble in spirit."


Eph 4:25 – 5:2

Healthy Conflict Guidelines

1. Be truthful v. 25
a. “The Day America Told the Truth,” by James Patterson,
91% of Americans lie routinely about matters they consider trivial
1 out of 3 lie about important matters
86% lie on a regular basis to their parents
75% lie to their friends
7 out of 10 married people lie to their spouses

b. Lying
disrupts unity
creating conflicts
annihilate trust
destroys relationships

c. You can not build a relationship if honesty, integrity, and truth are not valued.

2. Get Mad, but don’t sin. V. 26
a. Learn not to bottle up your anger
b. Learn not to explode in your anger
c. Learn to control your anger.
d. Resolve your issues quickly
If we nurse our anger, we will give Satan an opportunity to divide us

3. Play Nice v. 29
Watch the words that come from your mouth
be careful using words like Never or Always
Don’t define your spouse in the negative.
See your spouse the way God does
Build up your spouse
Ask yourself, will this build up my spouse before you say it.

4. Praise the Lord v.30 & 31
It catches the devil off guard!
It replaces bitterness and rage with holiness and peace.

5. Practice forgiveness v. 32
Let go of past hurts
Let it go and build on a foundation for forgiveness for your future

6. Love as Christ loved v. 5:1-2
Christ loved therefore He confronted in truth
Christ loved therefore He became angry but he did not sin
Christ loved therefore everything that came out of his mouth benefited those who would receive what he said.
Christ loved therefore He led a life of worship
Christ loved therefore He forgave.
You must love as Christ loved and gave Himself up for us.

Which leads us back to the 5traits mentioned at the beginning- Model Christ in our families!!