Faith is not just about what we believe—it’s about how we live. As you work through these devotionals, my prayer is that you will grow stronger, stand firmer, and live bolder for Christ. No matter what comes, you can remain unshaken because your foundation is in Him. – John O’Malley
Below is an excerpt from Bro. John O’Malley’s book, Unshaken: Strengthening Your Faith. If you would like to read the book in its entirety, please click here.
1 Corinthians 6:1-8
“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.”
Learn About It
Paul confronts the Corinthians for taking their disputes to secular courts rather than handling them within the church. Instead of resolving conflicts as brothers in Christ, they were dragging each other before unbelieving judges, harming their testimony.
Paul reminds them that believers will one day judge the world and even judge angels (v.3). If they are entrusted with such responsibilities in eternity, why are they unable to handle minor disputes now?
The core issue is not legal matters, but a failure to practice grace, forgiveness, and wisdom. Paul goes so far as to say, “Why do ye not rather take wrong?” In other words, it would be better to suffer personal loss than to destroy Christian unity by acting like the world.
The church should be a place where believers seek peace and reconciliation, not a battleground where selfishness and pride take over. When Christians air their grievances publicly, they damage the church’s witness and fail to reflect Christ’s humility.
Apply It to Me
Conflict is inevitable, but how we handle it reveals our spiritual maturity. The world teaches us to fight for our rights, but Christ calls us to seek peace and show grace.
• Do I quickly resort to retaliation or legal action, or do I seek biblical reconciliation first?
• Am I more concerned with winning an argument than with preserving unity?
• Do I let pride and anger drive my responses, or do I practice forgiveness and wisdom?
Handling disputes with a biblical mindset does not mean we ignore injustice, but it does mean we prioritize love, grace, and the testimony of Christ over personal gain.
Talk to God About It
Lord, teach me to handle conflict in a way that honors You. Help me to seek reconciliation rather than revenge, to show grace rather than demand my rights. Give me wisdom to resolve disputes in a Christlike manner, putting unity and testimony above personal pride. Let me be an example of humility and love in my relationships. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Act on It
If you have a conflict with a fellow believer, take the first step toward reconciliation today. Whether through prayer, a conversation, or an act of kindness, seek to restore the relationship in a way that honors Christ.
John O’Malley
If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley to let him know.