7 biblical principles for resolving conflict at work

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32) 

If you’ve been following the biblical principles in this series, your efforts to make peace with those you’re in conflict with will likely go well. But they very well might not.

How are we to respond to those who are unrepentant and unmoving? Depending on the situation, you may be called to pursue mediation, arbitration, or public accountability (all three of which are addressed biblically and helpfully in Ken Sande’s excellent book, The Peacemaker).

But regardless of whether your situation calls for one of those more escalated responses, I can tell you one response we are all called to in every situation: “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).

Commenting on this verse, Dr. N. T. Wright says: “it is utterly inappropriate for one who knows the joy and release of being forgiven to refuse to share that blessing with another. [Furthermore] it is highly presumptuous to refuse to forgive one whom Christ himself has already forgiven.”

Amen. But hey: I know how impossible it can feel to forgive someone who has wronged you at work. If that’s you today, hear these words from pastor Tony Merida: “When your tank is empty, remember the tomb is empty!” The price Christ paid to forgive you was cosmically greater than the price you must pay to forgive your neighbor. Go and forgive likewise.

Today’s passage brings us to the 7th and final principle we’ll explore in this series. Here it is in context of the full list of 7 biblical principles for resolving conflict at work: 

1. Praise the Prince of Peace for the grace and mercy he has shown you (Matthew 5:9)
2. Make the First Move to resolve any conflict (Romans 12:18)
3. Resolve to Overlook or Address the offense that has caused a lack of peace between you and someone else (Proverbs 19:11, 27:5)
4. Pluck the Plank from your own eye before you address the offense of another (Matthew 7:3-5)
5. Prepare Your Heart to bless the person you are in conflict with (Psalm 51:10)
6. Address the Conflict with Grace that flows out of the grace you’ve been shown by Christ (Colossians 4:5-6)
7. Forgive Freely as Christ has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32) 

Believer, you and I are called to be “salt and light” in our workplaces. How did Jesus say people will taste our proverbial saltiness? Check out Mark 9:50: “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” Pursue peace as a means of preserving your saltiness for God’s glory this and every day!