Fire as a Metaphor for Conflict
Friday, July 16, 2010 at 11:55AM The image and concept of fire presents a useful frame in which to view conflict. Initially fire presents an obvious representation of conflict’s undesirable side: frustration, war, annoyance, fight, pain, difficulty, fear, heat, and loss. At the very least, through the process of exploring our immediate associations with conflict, we discover that we have all experienced conflict in our lives and that it is inevitable, just like fire. However, if we explore the metaphor further, we find that like conflict, fire has the potential for destruction but also for opportunity.
The most crucial aspect of dealing with conflict, and with fire, is one's attitude. If we see conflict as something bad, when it surfaces we run or fight. When we allow the view of conflict as inevitable with the potential for destruction and growth, then we discover that we have choices.
We learn about the dynamics of fire and what is needed to sustain and extinguish a fire. Some fires benefit from water (electrical) while others die when doused with water. Sometimes smothering a fire is advisable. At other times, an exterior substance must be applied, such as spraying with chemicals. As we discover the dynamics of conflict we also discover the different ways that we can engage in conflict. Sometimes we need a decision made that will provide direction for the community. At other times, allowing disputants with long standing relationships to work things out on their own is important. Moreover, at other times an immediate response is necessary.
In forests where fire is left to occur naturally it keeps the forest floor free of materials that cause destructive forest fires. When we overprotect our forests and prevent fire from doing its job, our forests burn to the ground. In addition, burning leaves behind the ability for new growth to occur unhindered by tangled undergrowth. It has been said that the hottest fire makes the strongest steel. In the same way, a healthy experience of conflict can be the means by which unhealthy factors in a relationship or project can be removed. Then new and stronger ideas and characteristics can emerge.
Uncontrolled fire is undesirable fire that benefits no one and endangers everyone. Uncontrolled conflict is undesirable conflict that benefits no one and damages everyone involved. As with using controlled fire as a tool, great care must be exercised to control conflict. Emotions must be held under strict control and the interaction must not become personal. Like fire, the conflict must remain focused on the proper object (the situation needing change) and not the people involved in the change process. Burning underbrush is desirable; burning the person using the fire is not. By knowing how to extinguish the fire, and the conflict, and by building strict barriers to guide the fire, and the conflict, the greatest benefit can be achieved by both.
Developing the ability to deal with conflict is crucial. If one's attitude allows for the possibility of constructive conflict, then the prospect of conflict can be anticipated and not loathed. We must remember that conflict is similar to fire. It is inevitable but possesses the potential for positive and negative results. Only you can prevent (uncontrolled) forest fires!
Fire, conflict, control, damage, help, resolution, tool in Discipleship, General
BSFL Life Truths Sunday School commentary for the week of March 7, 2010
Fractured? 1 Corinthians 1,3
I remember first discussing the options for writing this latest Sunday School material assignment for Bible Studies for Life - Life Truths. The Life Truths editor and I discussed writing on marriage or church conflict. We laughed at the similarities between the two! Although my wife and I will soon be celebrating 19 glorious and wonderful years of marriage, I still consider myself to be in a serious learning curve when it comes to marriage. Considering my past years of ministry, I really have more experience with church conflict!
That is not to say, however, that I have learned to deal effectively with every conflict that may arise in the local church. Sometimes churches can act and react in ways that defy rational explanation. Many of you reading this could supply examples from your own painful experiences. It is not my intention to air dirty laundry from the past or to tear down any local church. With the material I was privileged to author, and with these blog posts, it is my firm purpose to direct our attention to the Scriptures as our guide for healing from church hurts, and prevention from more of the same.
Paul wrote this first letter to a troubled church at Corinth. It is evident that he had received troubled news from this church that he had founded earlier, and so wrote to offer much-needed instruction to guide them through these rough spiritual and relational shoals. This week as we examine 1 Corinthians 1:10-15,26-29 it becomes clear that there were serious fractures in the Corinthian church. Misplaced loyalties and rotten human pride were evident in their words and actions. However, the crux of the problem is found in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4. Paul accuses the Corinthian believers as being "fleshly" and "living like ordinary people" (vs. 3). He uses a bit of creative word play to capture his readers' attention in verses 1 and 3. In 3:1 "flesh" (Greek sarkinos) is literally 'made of flesh'. In 3:3 "fleshly" (Greek sarkikos) is more accurately 'characterized by the flesh'. What is the difference? There is no blame attached to those who are babes in Christ (3:1) when they act like babes. It is expected. But when those who have been Christians for years still act like babes, "characterized by the flesh" (3:3) and not the Spirit, this is scandalous.
Earlier in 1 Corinthians 1:10 Paul expressed his desire that the Corinthians be "united". This is a word that means to restore something to its rightful condition. It is used of James and John in Matthew 4:21 when they are "mending" their nets after a night of fishing. He also expresses in verse 10 his desire that there be no "divisions" among them. This word is the Greek schisma, and is the origin of our word "schism", which means a division. In John 21:11 when the disciples caught an enormous amount of fish, the text says there were no "schisms" in the net; no divisions, tears, or fractures that would allow fish to fall through and be lost.
What a picture of what church conflict does to our efforts for Christ's Kingdom! When churches fight and divide, a rift is made in our witness and precious souls needing Christ are turned off by us and slip through the gaps. How important is it, then, to heal these fractures in the fellowship? It is vital!