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Jun 26, 2025 06:00am

Set Apart in Disputes: How the Church Should Handle Conflict

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“I’m gonna sue you!”

It was our go-to threat. Remember that? As kids, it seemed like the ultimate revenge. If someone said something nasty about you, stole your stuff, or did you wrong in any way, it was the surefire way to get back at them.

Maybe we saw it in movies, or soap operas (what in the world were we even watching those for???), or a TV show. I actually never knew anyone who had been sued or had sued another person during my young life. But as we get older, it becomes more and more common.

It was the case during the days of the early church in Corinth as well.

1 Corinthians 6:1–8 (NLT)
“When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! ² Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? ³ Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life. ⁴ If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? ⁵ I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues? ⁶ But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers! ⁷ Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? ⁸ Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers.”

Why would Paul urge them to judge themselves and not sue one another? Why not get the legal system involved?

Remember the context. Remember where they are located and the worldly influence. It would be hard for them to find a judge who would be fair and have Christian values. Plus, they were supposed to be set apart, different for Christ. They weren’t supposed to act like the world. By bringing their troubles and injustices to the worldly legal system, they were inviting unnecessary and unwarranted negative attention to the church. And honestly, most of the lawsuits were nonsense and could have been resolved easily. Instead, they were too focused on pride and revenge.

So, what were they supposed to do?

Paul, in essence, said at the end of this passage of Scripture, “What’s the point? Why not just accept that you were done wrong and move on? Why not turn the other cheek?”

Because isn’t that what Christ said?

Matthew 5:38–39
“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.”

Revenge will only stir up more wrath.

Paul’s point was that if at all possible, settle your disputes with each other within the church. We have the power of the Holy Spirit within us. We should have wisdom and discernment. We are called to love our neighbor and forgive. We are told to encourage one another and lift each other up. We’re told to go the extra mile for them. If that’s to be true of the church, then the church must join together to do just that.

Otherwise, those who are lost will focus on the problems of the church and want nothing to do with it. They won’t see its true intended purpose anymore. I know there are situations that call for severe punishment from our legal system due to the nature of the crime. That’s not what we’re talking about here. This is talking about minor disagreements where one would seek revenge.

It gives us pause, doesn’t it? It should. How are we handling our disputes and our injustices? Are we doing so with Christ in mind or our pride?

Let’s be people of the cross. Focus on sharing the love and forgiveness of Jesus.

Learn more about following Christ at follow.lifeword.org and in Spanish at follow.lifeword.org/spanish.