Christians face many sources of conflict in our day, and fresh challenges seem to present themselves on a daily basis.
This regular (and rapid) occurrence of potential conflicts can easily result in both mental and spiritual strain. The twenty-four-hour news cycle and global dissemination of news have certainly not helped this sense of pressure. A quick perusal of the news feed on any given day could provide one with plenty of cause for consternation—high-profile stories of apostasy from Christian artists and leaders, disagreements over doctrine spilling out of the seminary and into social media, governmental mandates regulating the life and practice of the church. The examples could continue for quite some time.
In the face of such looming conflicts that arise both from within and outside the church house walls (so to speak), it may be tempting to step back and remove oneself from the conflict altogether. After all, one might argue, is not love more important than dogma? Is not unity more important than theology? Is not peace more important than principle? The answer of many Christians to these questions (and the false dichotomies they present) often seems to be a resounding yes. When doctrinal issues arise, many answer with an appeal for “no creed but Christ,” a sentiment that may be quite heartfelt but is certainly misguided. Evangelical and Protestant leaders regularly make appeals to “widen the tent” or “keep the main thing the main thing” to include more perspectives within the same fellowship, carrying the unstated implication that doctrine is superfluous or unnecessary. Those with this outlook seem to have decided that dialogue trumps doctrinal debate and fellowship trumps fighting, and this conclusion has led them to abandon doctrinal distinctions altogether in the name of unity. However, these are conclusions that the New Testament writers would have found quite puzzling (see Jude 3, 23).
Certainly, none of us should be engaged in “foolish controversies” (Titus 3:9). There are such conflicts we should endeavor to avoid (2 Tim. 2:23–24). Yet how do we determine which conflicts are foolish, and how do we approach the ones that seem to involve serious matters of light and darkness, salvation and damnation? We may consider words attributed to Martin Luther:
“If I profess with loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except that little point which the world and the Devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.”
Though the citation to Luther is likely apocryphal (not his actual words, but rather a loose paraphrase), the sentiment of this statement certainly still rings true. We cannot simply fight the fights we choose to fight nor the fights we feel particularly passionate about. As good soldiers, we must fight the fights we are called to fight. The conclusion is quite powerful: our love for Christ compels us to fight for our King’s truth wherever that battle rages.
We may consider some biblical examples here to help mold our thinking in this regard. In Jude’s epistle, we are reminded that we must be faithful to engage in the conflicts that challenge us, even when those situations do not align with our previous plans and priorities. Consider that though Jude longed to write his “beloved” (agapētoi) with encouraging words about their “common salvation,” he instead “found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Jude’s original intention in writing this powerful letter was not to engage in doctrinal conflict, but he was compelled to engage in the battle that confronted him at that time.
Another example comes in Paul’s first letter to Timothy. In that letter, Paul extends these firm words of encouragement and instruction to his friend and disciple: “This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18). The faithful Christian life is one of spiritual warfare. Spiritual warfare is not toxic masculinity or misguided triumphalism; it is simply the consistent setting of biblical Christianity. The call of the gospel is a call to the spiritual battlefield—Paul accordingly uses the same word for warfare (strateia) both here and in 2 Corinthians 10:4, giving a strong indication of fierce combat being waged. Paul lauds the power of the gospel and encourages Christian unity, humility, and faithfulness, yet his letter includes these fierce words of militaristic warfare in its introduction. Paul again echoes that sentiment toward the end of his letter, reminding Timothy to “fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Tim. 6:12). The faithful Christian life is one that appropriately yet unflinchingly engages in the conflict with which it is presented.
If we approach conflict in a biblical manner, it rarely suits our own wishes and proclivities (and if it does, we should probably examine our motivations). We do not pick and choose the content and tone of the conflict that will arise; we are simply called to fight the good fight. We may also consider that in the biblical examples we have mentioned, the sources of conflict arose from within the church as well as from outside it. Handling conflict from outside the church is challenging enough, while handling conflict that arises from within the church is surely even more daunting. It is daunting because most Christians find it difficult to engage in conflict with another who claims the name of Christ. Yet we are reminded that precisely because we profess Christ, we do not and cannot run from the battles that confront His people. Christians are called to “love one another” (John 13:34), yet we are also called to “contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3), to “wage the good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18), and to “fight the good fight” (1 Tim. 6:12). Daunting though the challenge may be, we must faithfully engage conflicts even when we would not choose such battles on our own.
The Christian walk is not a walk of weakness but of strength. The church would do well to remember that Christians are called to be strong—strong in the strength and might of the Lord, no less (Eph. 6:10). Contrary to many modern portrayals, strength is not a negative trait to be avoided and suppressed but a laudable virtue to be nurtured and practiced (in its proper context and practice, of course). Christians are called to exhibit godly strength and equip themselves for battle against the evil forces in “this present darkness” (Eph. 6:11–12). Far from the attitude of avoiding conflict as a default mentality, Christians are called to nothing less than spiritual warfare—marching not with the staggering steps of a toddler but the strong strides of a soldier prepared for battle.
Scripture likewise assures us that though this conflict is ultimately spiritual in nature, the battle is real and the dangers are palpable. Just because something entails a spiritual reality does not mean it lacks a material manifestation in this world—the work of the cross was most certainly a spiritual battle, while the wood and nails of the crucifixion were quite real physical manifestations of that battle. In other words, recognizing the spiritual quality of Christian conflict is not to dismiss it to a spiritual realm that has no bearing on our lives in this world. If Christians find themselves lacking proper armor for this warfare, unsure of the battle plan, and unfamiliar with the terrain, it is quite possible that they have forgotten the admonitions of Scripture to “be able to stand” (Eph. 6:11). Adequate preparation for conflict is an act of obedience and a responsible measure for Christian living. When these principles are properly applied, preparation for conflict may even be understood as worship.
Christians are called to “take up the whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:13) and, accordingly, to “keep alert with all perseverance” (Eph. 6:18). The task of the Christian is to be prepared for conflict and to persevere with all the strength that God has given them. Christians do not stand on their own. God has prepared Christians for the conflict; therefore, they must persevere through it. How, then, do Christians fight a spiritual battle? Subsequent chapters will develop this concept in greater depth, but a few general admonitions come to mind. To engage in spiritual conflict, Christians are called to faithfully, watchfully, and thankfully continue in ongoing prayer to God (Col. 4:2). Christians do not simply endure conflict but are called to have hope and rejoice during times of conflict, patiently enduring tribulation in ongoing prayer and worship (Rom. 12:12). Christians are commanded to rely on the life-giving, death-conquering, righteousness-imputing Spirit of God who dwells within them, not on their own strength or competence (Rom. 8:9–11). Christians fight battles knowing that nothing—in all of creation—can separate them from the love of God in Christ (Rom. 8:38–39). In short, Christians are called to fight spiritual battles bravely, unto the glory of God.
If you’re looking for a deeper understanding of how to face conflict with a heart anchored in Scripture, download your free e-book edition of A Primer for Conflict: Drawing a Line in the Sand.
Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt from the first chapter of A Primer for Conflict: Drawing a Line in the Sand by Joshua P. Howard (Cape Coral: Founders Press, 2022). Used with permission.
