Conflict With Myself.
Conflict is the main ingredient of good literature. However, how do we deal with internal conflict through the lens of the Bible?
Conflict in Stories
Everyone loves a good story. But what makes any form of literature compelling? Is there a key element that is necessary for every story? Yes, there is one specific requirement that helps keep the reader interested, and that is “conflict.”
There are two categories of conflict; “internal” and “external.” Internal conflict in a story involves a character with an inner struggle, such as emotions, values or desires. While external conflicts are situations caused by something or someone else that creates tension beyond their control. Within these two fall seven specific types of antagonism:
- Character vs. Self
- Character vs. Supernatural
- Character vs. Nature
- Character vs. Character
- Character vs. Technology
- Character vs. Society
- Character vs. Destiny
Day to Day Conflict and Adversity
If you take time to ponder these themes, they are not only important for tailoring a story, but also inescapably true of the adversity that we deal with from day-to-day. We might not see our daily discord as dramatic as a fighting an arch-villain or a dire situation of life and death, but we cannot deny that our life is surrounded and effected by many conflicts and tensions. It is unavoidable.
As hard as we may strive to be a peace maker in our surrounding circumstances, we cannot escape a constant force of opposition against us. Even when we do our best, we can be criticized or face negative scenarios.
Strife Entertains
It seems like a contradiction, doesn’t it? Strife is what entertains us, yet we try to avoid it as much as possible in our own personal lives.
It is a real part of life. How do you deal with it? Do you fight back or take the blows? Do you feel failure in your battles more than victory? Maybe you feel alone, without strength and hopeless.
Encouragement in the Scriptures
We can find encouragement in the scriptures; God has made it clear that He does not want us to face our concerns and carry our burdens alone.
The Bible acknowledges the reality of life throwing difficulties at us, Jesus guarantees this to His disciples,
…in the world you will have many trials and sorrows, but take courage, because I have overcome the world.
What does He mean by this? How does what Jesus’ did 2000 years ago have any relevance to the struggles I am going through now?
2 Corinthians 4:8,9 says;
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…
2 Corinthians 4:8,9
These words are an expression of a great confidence that we can all have when facing trials in life.
Conflict Writing Types Through the Lens of the Bible
As we go through this series, we will look at each one of these creative writing conflict types through the lense of the Bible and apply them to spiritual realities that we all face.
Let’s first consider the “internal” struggle; where the trouble we face comes from within ourselves.
We hear it said that at times “we are our own worst enemy.” We all suffer from character flaws and many times we end up getting ourselves into trouble as a result of them. We might get angry and insult someone, act out of selfishness or succumb to laziness and not continue to move forward in life, not developing in our personal growth. These are things that we do, or do not do, that go wrong and the only finger of judgment that can be pointed is at ourselves.
Admission of Inner Conflict
The first step in seeing the Biblical view of our “inner conflict” is to admit that we have one.
In the Bible, the Apostle James talks about the word of God as being like a mirror, in that we see what we look like and as soon as we turn away, we forget what we saw.
A narcissist is self-centered, seeing no fault in themselves, unable to admit they are wrong. Pride is the key problem that keeps anyone from seeing themselves for what they really are.
Some religious philosophies believe we are all born “innocent,” and as we grow older, we take on disobedience, and selfishness in our character.
Are we born “good” or “bad?” This is the question everyone needs to consider.
The Sin Problem
For myself, when faced with the “sin problem,” I had to admit that I, myself, was not perfect. No-one has ever met the standard of “sinlessness.” As much as it may appear that some people seem to be “better” than others, it still doesn’t change the fact that everyone is flawed. The most logical and practical answer I found is the way the Bible presents it, contrary to most of what other religions and philosophies of the world teach.
The Bible says in Psalm 51:5,
I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me,..
Psalm 51:5
this means that sin (wrongdoing) is not something we learn, it is a part of us, before we even come into the world out of our mother’s womb.
We Are Sinners
A sinner is not something we become; it is what we are.
Romans 3:23 states it simply, that
…all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
This is an absolute truth that no-one is exempt from. Everyone is born equal. We all stand on a level playing field, and all of us hold the same shortcomings before a holy God. There is no room for anyone to make a claim of having reached a greater plateau above another. Doesn’t this simple fact make more sense than thinking someone or a group of people have “one up” on everyone else? In our world of “equality” I would think this would be appreciated!
The Need For Humility
It takes a lot of humility to admit being wrong, and it creates a totally different perspective on life if you see your condition of sin from God’s position. Please take these two verses to heart…
1 John 1:8,10
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us….If we say we have not sinned, we make God out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.
1 John 1:8,10
These verses reveal hard facts that open our eyes to clearly see the conflict within ourselves. Right now, you may be feeling like the writer of Isaiah, when he said,
“How can we be saved if we remain in our sins? Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.”
Sin is against us, but how did this conflict of myself and my sin begin?
Conflict in the Garden of Eden
In the book of Genesis chapter 3 we read how Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. Prior to this there was no discord or strife; all was perfect, peaceful, until they chose to reject God and be left to their own devices. The consequence of their sin separated them from God, bringing death into the world.
Death became the result of their sin. God’s judgement against sin means condemnation; eternal separation from Him.
This is where all our trouble began, and this is where God supplied a solution.
God set up a principle, “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness for sin.” Adam and Eve could not fix their wrong, but God in His grace and love for them could, in supplying them an animal to die in their place. Its blood was shed, then He took its skins and made coverings for their shame.
Jesus Replaces Animal Sacrifices
This was the beginning of animal sacrifice which became a practice for God’s people, where they recognized their sin and acknowledged that the animal they were killing was dying in their place. But these sacrifices were only an introduction to help all people see the ultimate payment for the sins of the whole world. God, in His love for us, gave Himself to die. He came into the world born as a man named Jesus.
He was perfect and sinless, suitable to be the sacrifice to end the continual killing of animals that could not fully appease the wrath of God against our sin and was never intended to. Their only purpose was to be a picture to point everyone to Jesus, to help us all recognize Him as the only true savior of the world. He died on a wooden cross, shedding His blood for all.
And there is more; after he died, He rose from the dead, defeating death.
Jesus Brings Life
Romans chapter 5 tells us that sin came into our world through one person, Adam, and as a result everyone has suffered since, but the good news is another one came as God’s gift of grace, Jesus, who brings life to anyone who believes in His death for them.
There are a lot of details left out, that we will explore further details in this series, but this is the foundation.
How We See Ourselves
The next thing we need to consider is very simple; if we see ourselves, as the Bible sees us, which are sinners who are set for a lost eternity apart from God, contemplating this promise is the key:
1 John 1:9
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
1 John 1:9
Now, think about Jesus, who died for all the people of the world, and that includes you. Do you believe the blood He shed was intended for you?
He Came Back to Life For You
Here is a very important thought: if He died for you, that means He also came back to life for you. That means if you believe in Him, you are not only forgiven, but you also have new life through Him – eternal life!
John 14:1,27
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well.” Peace, I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.
John 14:1,27
Jesus never promised that we would be without conflict in this world, but if you believe in Him, it will end the greatest battle you must face, and that is your wrestling with God. You can have peace with God! Your soul can have rest!
We can’t run from our daily strife, but the Apostle Paul says; “…despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”
How do you deal with conflict? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
The Complete Conquering Conflict Series Links
Mark Hillis
Mark lives rural in Fenwick, Ontario with his wife Michelle and three boys.
He joined the FBH International team in February 2022, coming from the business world with a design and art background.
Mark is particularly interested in seeing people come to Christ and grow in their faith. He recently produced the series entitled: Sow to Grow.
Mark serves as an elder at Brockview Bible Chapel in St.Catharines , Ontario.
Visit Mark’s contributor’s page here.
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