Conflict and disagreement (even if it’s on Facebook) is not necessarily bad.

We instinctively understand this in sporting events and the court of law. Conflict, when done well, is good.

Healthy conflict can be a wonderful tool, that Jesus has always used in dealing with and among us.

First they cold-shouldered him, then they disregarded him, then they expelled him.

• It’s foolish to avoid dissent and the conflict it brings.
• It is foolish to blame conflict on Satan.
• It is not polite or healthy to cold-shoulder and disregard those who cause conflict, that attitude is the greater dysfunction.

This is especially true in groups. Religious group-think tends to turn into violent mob-think when Jesus is around. Because He knows just what button to push better than anyone, and if allowed to speak he will push it hard.

Dissenters are the exact people to sit down and listen to with patience and honesty. Blind agree-ers are more dangerous to leaders than any other type of people.

“And all the people in the synagogue were filled with RAGE as they heard these things; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to THROW HIM DOWN THE CLIFF.” – Luke 4:28-29 NASB