Serve One Another In Love

Galatians 5:13-15

The context of this passage is more about church conflicts than work conflicts, but I think the principle is applicable in both settings. Paul warns the Galatian Christians that "if you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." What an apt picture of some workplace conflicts. They may start small, with each person noticing annoyances in the other or with each person afraid that his or her turf is being challenged. That's the biting. Soon, it may move to devouring as each plots and protects, unwilling to surrender anything that might give the other an upper hand or a sense of victory. That's not how God sees conflict. Serve one another in love. Love your neighbor as yourself. How would your behavior at work change if you were trying to serve your coworker in love or trying to love your subordinate as yourself?