Peacemaking begins with recognizing and reconciling my own doubleminded sin.
Join us as we unpack Ken Sande’s 4 Gs of Biblical peace making:
- Glory to God
- Get the log out of your own eye
- Gently restore
- Go and be reconciled
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? James 4:1
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15
In James 4 we learn that conflict stems from passions at war within us, what James calls “doubleminded”, trying to be friends with both the world and God. In Romans 7-8 Paul elaborates on James’ “double-minded sinners”, going deep on the war between flesh and Spirit.
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6
Across these passages we see that mindset (our thoughts, beliefs, priorities) is key to making peace in our own self and with others. Here are several passages to explore for more depth this week:
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James 3:13 – 4:12 Galatians 5:13 – 6:5 Philippians 2:1-8, 3:17-4:9 Romans 7:15 – 8:11; 12:1-2 |
Matthew 16:21-27 Ephesians 4:17-24 Colossians 3:1-17 2 Timothy 2:22-26 |
Key Points
Why so much emphasis on self? Jesus said so. (Matthew 7:5)
- Much conflict can stop within me before it reaches others
- The root of conflict within me is sin
- Sin springs up in three ways: world, flesh, devil
- Exploring conflict within myself helps me understand conflict with others, because all the same is true for them (humility and grace to confront gently)
- Peacemaking begins with recognizing and reconciling my own doubleminded sin.
You can make peace with God today by repenting of your sins. Here is a link explaining what that means. https://newsong.family/contact
