Help For Families In Conflict, Part I

Date: 6/22/2011
Speaker: Pastor Johnny Moore

God’s most prized possession has always been “His Family.” Think about it for a minute… After God had spoken the world into existence, created all the animals and vegetation, at a time when He could have created anything He wanted… He created the family.

     Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female He created He them.” But not only did God create the family, He also “blessed” them and provided for them. Verse 28 continues, “And God blessed them, and said unto them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the fowls of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”

     So, we see here where God created the family, He blessed the family, provided for them and gave them power to live a productive life. And, in verse 31, we find God’s opinion of it all… “And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” However, it wasn’t long until sin entered the picture causing conflict to begin in God’s most prized possession. Cain killed Abel, Esau hated Jacob, Joseph’s brothers became jealous of him and sold him as a slave. And as we all know, family conflict has not ceased through the years , but instead has increased.

Each of you reading today must understand that there is a battle going on for your family. The same “con-artist” that attacked the first family in the Garden is still “seeking whom he may devour.” His plan has not changed. He is still attempting to “steal, kill and destroy” God’s most prized possession, “His family.”

Many of you today are experiencing conflict in your family. Some are even at the place of giving up and calling it quits. You say, “I’ve tried and tried and nothing seems to work. It’s no use!” Let me encourage you to try one more time. Why not call the whole family together, sit down and be open and honest with them. Tell them you’ve made some mistakes, some wrong decisions and that you are ready to take responsibility and make the necessary changes. Tell them how important they are to you, that you are sorry for the hurts and pains they have experienced because of your mistakes.

You must also understand that they are not going to believe you at first because you have said these things before. So, you must prove yourself this time. There are three simple things you can do right now to begin to prove yourself:

1. Look them in the eye and say “I was wrong, it is my fault.”

2. Take them by the hand and pray with them, asking God to help you and forgive you.

3. Take the entire family to church on Sunday. (No excuses!)

 

Download