Every family must have encountered one conflict or the other among themselves, but conflicts in families varies. In some families, it may be small issues that escalated to bigger issues and kept spreading, while in some families, it may be very minor issues that are easily resolved almost immediately. However, conflicts in families are normal. The most important thing is settling and finding peace after each conflict. But the Bible has strict instructions on family love and peace, and as Christ followers, we are expected to always maintain harmony in our homes. No matter what the issue is, we should always look for a way to settle amicably. Join us in this blog as we study some very important Bible verses that will enlighten us on the need to always maintain peace and love amongst us.
In view of the fact that it is very natural to disagree even with those you love and cherish, it is important we do not let these tiny or big disagreements ruin our relationships with our loved ones. Aside poor communication, pride, selfishness and envy, one of the root cause of conflicts in families is the adamic nature in us. But there are healthy and Biblical ways we can use to manage and avoid conflicts in our families, and God have these ways all spelled out for us in his word.
SEE ALSO: 20+ Important Bible Verses About Mothers and Daughters
What Does The Bible Say About Family Conflict?
The Bible gives us practical advise on how to manage disputes in our families and in our household of faith. Conflicts in the Bible range from hundreds of battles fought in the Old Testament to many stories of conflicts between Biblical characters. Biblical characters like Joseph, he was in conflict with his 11 brothers because of envy. His brothers envied him because their father loved him more and he was also destined by God to be greater than his brothers. This story can be seen in the book of Genesis 37:4-28. Joseph reconciled with brothers many years later, and he held nothing against them.
Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”. This passage speaks on one of the ways to avoid conflict with people. Paul speaking to us in the book of 2 Timothy 2:24, he said “And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach and patient. This passage is an experimental attestation that as Christ followers and servants, we must always maintain decorum in our homes and local churches and at all times. Here are some very powerful Bible verses that will help us manage and avoid conflicts in our homes;
Bible Verses About Family Conflict
- Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. – Proverbs 17:1
- A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. – Matthew 10:36
- Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4
- A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1
- Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
- If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. – Romans 12:18
- My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. – James 1:19
- Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. – 1 Peter 3:9
- Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. – Proverbs 16:32
- Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. – Ephesians 4:29
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9
- The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. – Proverbs 12:18
- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23
Encouraging Bible verses for family problems
- Do everything in love. – 1 Corinthians 16:14
- A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. – Proverbs 15:18
- Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. – Romans 14:19
- Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. – Philippians 2:3
- What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? – James 4:1
- Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. – Psalm 34:14
- And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. – 2 Timothy 2:24
- To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. – Titus 3:2
- Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. – Proverbs 10:12
- Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. – Hebrews 12:14
- It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel. – Proverbs 20:3
- Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. – 2 Corinthians 13:11
- Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. – Proverbs 21:23
Scripture About Family Togetherness and Love
- As for husbands, love your wives just like Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. – Ephesians 5:25
- Honor your father and your mother so that your life will be long on the fertile land that the Lord your God is giving you. – Exodus 20:12
- As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; in Jerusalem you will be comforted. – Isaiah 66:13
- Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. – Colossians 3:21
- My son, keep your father’s command; don’t abandon your mother’s instruction. – Proverbs 6:20
- Friends love all the time, and kinsfolk are born for times of trouble. – Proverbs 17:17
- Those who say, ‘I love God’ and hate their brothers or sisters are liars. After all, those who don’t love their brothers or sisters whom they have seen can hardly love God whom they have not seen! – 1 John 4:20
- Those who trouble their family will inherit the wind. The fool will be servant to the wise. – Proverbs 11:29
- Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6
- Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other. – Colossians 3:13
- Now faith, hope, and love remain — these three things — and the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13
- But if someone doesn’t provide for their own family, and especially for a member of their household, they have denied the faith. They are worse than those who have no faith. – 1 Timothy 5:8
- How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! – Psalm 133:1
- No doubt about it: children are a gift from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a divine reward. The children born when one is young are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. The person who fills a quiver full with them is truly happy! They won’t be ashamed when arguing with their enemies in the gate. – Psalm 127:3-5