What Causes Conflict

James 4:1-10

Do you ever find yourself having conflicts with people more frequently than usually? Are there certain issues that are "hot button" issues with you? And more importantly, do the people that you work with know what those issues are? James has an interesting perspective on conflicts. The context for this passage is more closely related to church conflict, but I think the principles can be extrapolated to workplace conflicts as well. Why do you have conflicts? James says because of "the desires that battle within you." You want something, but you don't get it. Then you respond by killing and coveting. In a workplace, perhaps we could add you respond by backstabbing, lying, cheating, manipulating. The list goes on and on. James responds, "You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." You do not receive because you ask with wrong (read: selfish) motives. Think about the things that you fight for/about at work. Are you fighting with wrong motives? Be honest with yourself on this one. It's all too easy to say no, I'm fighting for the betterment of the company. But is that your real motivation, more than trying to make your own life more convenient.

The cure is in verses 6-10. Look at how many times James uses the words humble or submit. I don't know that humbling yourself will get you out of every conflict because not everyone will be doing that also. But your approach to conflict will be radically different. Instead of "how can I get my way," perhaps your thoughts will be "how can God be glorified through my interaction with this other person." Then ask God to help you do that. He won't disappoint you as you ask with unselfish motives.