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Biblical Equivalents for Interpersonal Reactions During Conflict

The Bible presents a range of interpersonal reactions during conflict, acknowledging both the reality of strife and the call to reconciliation and peace. Ecclesiastes 3:8 states that there is "a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace," indicating that conflict and its resolution are part of the human experience [1].

One common reaction to conflict is dispute or fighting. The name Merab, for instance, is interpreted as "he that fights or disputes" [4]. The Psalms also reflect this reality, with Psalm 120:7 lamenting, "I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war" [6]. This highlights the tension that can arise when one party desires peace while another is inclined toward contention. The imagery of "violent civil commotions" is used to illustrate intense conflict, akin to "the greatest physical commotions" [9].

In the face of conflict, the biblical narrative often emphasizes the importance of seeking reconciliation and peace. The concept of reconciliation is central to Christian theology, referring to God restoring humanity to His favor by satisfying the demands of justice [12]. This reconciliation is not a change in God's character but rather His provision of love through Christ's mediation [12]. The Apostle Paul, for example, speaks of having "conflict" for those he has not seen, praying "that their hearts may be comforted" [11]. This suggests that even in absence, there is a desire for unity and solace amidst potential division.

When individuals face injustice or opposition, the Bible encourages a response of entrusting the situation to God. Christ, though able to threaten divine judgment against oppressors, "never did so," instead committing Himself and His cause to God [13]. This serves as a model for believers to leave their case in God's hands, not seeking revenge but rather praying for enemies [13]. God is depicted as an advocate who "pleads their cause," delivering His people not merely by might but by righteousness, through His "everlasting love, reconciling mercy and justice in the Redeemer's work and person" [10]. This divine intervention is aimed at bringing "quiet to the land" [10].

The Bible also speaks of a "covenant of peace," which is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, found in passages such as Numbers 18:19, Isaiah 55:3, and Ezekiel 37:26 [2, 3]. This covenant signifies a lasting agreement of peace and well-being. The concept of redemption, or "reconciliation," is also linked to the forgiveness of sins, as seen in Ephesians 1:7, which cross-references numerous passages related to God's mercy and forgiveness [5].

In moments of divine encounter, a typical human reaction is awe and fear, often leading to prostration or a sense of unworthiness [8]. This response to God's glory, as seen in Isaiah 6:5 or Daniel 8:17, can be a profound experience that reorients an individual's perspective, potentially influencing their approach to earthly conflicts. The call to "draw near" to God's "throne of grace with confidence" is presented as a means to "obtain mercy" and "receive" compassion through the mediation of Christ [7]. This access to divine grace offers a pathway for individuals to navigate interpersonal conflicts with a renewed spirit, seeking divine assistance and guidance.

Sources

  1. Ecclesiastes “a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. -- Ecclesiastes 3:8”
  2. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Hebrews 13:20 cross-references: Exodus 24:8, 2 Samuel 23:5, 1 Chronicles 16:17, Psalms 23:1, Psalms 80:1, Isaiah 40:11, Isaiah 55:3, Isaiah 61:8, Isaiah 63:11, Jeremiah 32:40, Ezekiel 34:23, Ezekiel 37:24, Ezekiel 37:26, Zechariah 9:11, Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, John 10:11, John 10:14, Acts 2:24, Acts 2:32, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:10, Acts 5:30, Acts 10:40, Acts 13:30, Acts 17:31, Romans 1:4, Romans 4:24, Romans 8:11, Romans 15:33, Romans 16:20, 1 Corinthians 6:14, 1 Corinthians 14:33, 1 Corinthians 15:15, 2 Corinthians 4:14, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Galatians 1:1, Ephesians 1:20, Philippia”
  3. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 2:12 cross-references: Genesis 15:18, Genesis 17:7, Exodus 12:45, Exodus 24:3, Numbers 18:19, 2 Chronicles 15:3, Ezra 4:3, Psalms 89:3, Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 45:20, Isaiah 61:5, Jeremiah 14:8, Jeremiah 17:13, Jeremiah 31:31, Jeremiah 33:20, Ezekiel 13:9, Ezekiel 37:26, Hosea 3:4, Luke 1:72, John 4:22, John 10:16, John 15:5, Acts 3:25, Acts 14:15, Acts 28:20, Romans 1:28, Romans 9:4, Romans 9:8, 1 Corinthians 8:4, 1 Corinthians 10:19, Galatians 3:16, Galatians 4:8, Ephesians 4:18, Colossians 1:5, Colossians 1:21, Colossians 1:27, 1 Thessalonians 4:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 2 Thessalonian”
  4. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Merab — he that fights or disputes”
  5. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ephesians 1:7 cross-references: Exodus 34:7, Job 33:24, Psalms 32:1, Psalms 86:5, Psalms 130:4, Psalms 130:7, Isaiah 43:25, Isaiah 55:6, Jeremiah 31:34, Daniel 9:9, Daniel 9:19, Daniel 9:24, Jonah 4:2, Micah 7:18, Zechariah 9:11, Zechariah 13:1, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 20:28, Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 1:77, Luke 7:40, Luke 7:47, Luke 24:47, John 20:23, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 10:43, Acts 13:38, Acts 20:28, Romans 2:4, Romans 3:24, Romans 4:6, Romans 9:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Ephesians 1:6, Ephesians 2:4, Ephesians 2:7, Ephesians 3:8, Ephesians 3:16, Philippians 4:19”
  6. Psalms “I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war. -- Psalms 120:7”
  7. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 4:16: come--rather as Greek, "approach," "draw near." boldly--Greek, "with confidence," or "freedom of speech" (Eph 6:19). the throne of grace--God's throne is become to us a throne of grace through the mediation of our High Priest at God's right hand (Heb 8:1; Heb 12:2). Pleading our High Priest Jesus' meritorious death, we shall always find God on a throne of grace. Contrast Job's complaint (Job 23:3-8) and Elihu's " IF," &c. (Job 33:23-28). obtain--rather, "receive." mercy--"Compassion," by its derivation (literally, fellow feeling from community”
  8. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 17:6: 17:6-7 Such a response is typical for encounters with God’s glory (e.g., Isa 6:5; Dan 8:17; 10:9, 15-19; Rev 1:17).”
  9. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 46:2: The most violent civil commotions are illustrated by the greatest physical commotions.”
  10. Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 50:34: strong--as opposed to the power of Israel's oppressor (Rev 18:8). plead . . . cause--as their advocate. Image from a court of justice; appropriate as God delivers His people not by mere might, but by righteousness. His plea against Satan and all their enemies is His own everlasting love, reconciling mercy and justice in the Redeemer's work and person (Mic 7:9; Zac 3:1-5; Jo1 2:1). give rest . . . disquiet--There is a play on the similarity of sounds in the two Hebrew verbs to express more vividly the contrast: "that He may give quiet to the land”
  11. Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 2:2: Translate, "That their hearts may be comforted." The "their," compared with "you" (Col 2:4), proves that in Col 2:1 the words, "have not seen my face in the flesh," is a general designation of those for whom Paul declares he has "conflict," including the particular species, "you (Colossians) and them at Laodicea." For it is plain, the prayer "that their hearts may be comforted," must include in it the Colossians for whom he expressly says, "I have conflict." Thus it is an abbreviated mode of expression for, "That your and their hearts may be comfort”
  12. 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 5:18: all--Greek, "THE." things--all our privileges in this new creation (Co2 5:14-15). reconciled us--that is, restored us ("the world," Co2 5:19) to His favor by satisfying the claims of justice against us. Our position judicially considered in the eye of the law is altered, not as though the mediation of Christ had made a change in God's character, nor as if the love of God was produced by the mediation of Christ; nay, the mediation and sacrifice of Christ was the provision of God's love, not its moving cause (Rom 8:32). Christ's blood was the ”
  13. 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:23: Servants are apt to "answer again" (Tit 2:9). Threats of divine judgment against oppressors are often used by those who have no other arms, as for instance, slaves. Christ, who as Lord could have threatened with truth, never did so. committed himself--or His cause, as man in His suffering. Compare the type, Jer 11:20. In this Peter seems to have before his mind Isa 53:8. Compare Rom 12:19, on our corresponding duty. Leave your case in His hands, not desiring to make Him executioner of your revenge, but rather praying for enemies. God's righteous jud”
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