What does the Bible say about conflict?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that conflict should be faced with humility, truth, patience, and a sincere pursuit of peace, trusting God to restrain sinful anger and restore relationships. Proverbs 15:1 commends a gentle answer, while James 1:19 calls believers to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Jesus directs private, loving correction in Matthew 18:15-17, seeking repentance and reconciliation rather than public shame. Ephesians 4:26 warns against allowing anger to harden into bitterness. James 4:1-2 exposes selfish desires as a root of quarrels, and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 calls Christians to love that is patient, kind, and not self-seeking. As peacemakers, believers reflect the reconciling grace of Christ.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 15:1 5 votes
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- Matthew 18:15-17 3 votes
“If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.
- James 4:1-2 3 votes
Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members? You lust, and don’t have. You murder and covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask.
- Ephesians 4:26 3 votes
“Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath,
- Matthew 5:9 2 votes
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 2 votes
Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
- James 1:19 2 votes
So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;
- Matthew 18:15 2 votes
“If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.
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