The Heart of Conflict

I continue to read The Peacemaking Pastor by Alfred Proirier. I believe the third chapter, The Heart of Conflict, is worth the price of the book. Here's why.

Alfred seeks to get to the heart of conflict in this chapter, and to know what rules people's hearts. To get at this is key to understanding conflict. In the process of doing so, he provides an excellent exegesis of James 4. James begins this chapter with the words, "What causes fights and quarrels among you?" James is also getting to the heart of conflict.

I encourage you to reach James 4 and ask the following questions:

1. How do our desires cause conflict?

2. How do our demanding desires cause conflict?

3. How do our judging desires cause conflict?

4. How do our distorted desires cause conflict?

5. How do our seemingly good desires cause conflict?

6. How do our idolatrous desires cause conflict?

In The Peacemaking Pastor, we find these questions explored in depth. Following this, there is encouragement to find the answers in the Gospel.

Needless to say, this chapter was very convicting.

~ Jim