Unnecessary Conflict

If you are a professional golf fan, you are undoubtedly aware of the controversy that emerged from the formation of LIV Golf in 2022.

While some saw the new league's formation as a net benefit to the world of golf, others were passionately opposed to LIV Golf due to its many associations with controversial figures.

Before this week's Genesis Invitational, professional golfer Rory McIlroy commented to the media about his desire to see people put the past behind them so that both professional golf leagues might unify.

McIlroy said, "So I think everyone's just got to get over it and we all have to say, O.K., this is the starting point and we move forward. We don't look behind us, we don't look to the past, whatever's happened, happened. And it's been unfortunate. But reunification is the best thing for everyone."

In response to McIlroy's argument, Golf Channel analyst Johnson Wagner fired back by stating, "He's just telling everyone they've 'got to get over it.' He's said some things over the past couple of seasons that have rubbed a lot of players the wrong way."

Regardless of how you feel about introducing LIV Golf into the golfing landscape, we have all seen how certain players have seemingly served to increase tension and division with some of the comments made in the media over the past few years.

Whether in sports or any other area of life, we all have strong opinions and convictions about specific topics. When we feel strongly about them, it's natural to have a desire to share those opinions and convictions with others.

However, as followers of Jesus, it takes wisdom to realize that it is sometimes possible to cause unnecessary conflict with the things we choose to share.

When reading through scripture, we can see very clearly that there are certain beliefs on which we cannot compromise. There are times when the Bible commands us to share things with others that might lead to tension and conflict (The command to share the gospel with unbelievers would be one such example).

Yet, we must also recognize the temptation to share things with others that are unnecessarily controversial or offensive. We must learn to exercise restraint and self-control so that we do not needlessly offend people with our words.

2 Timothy 2:24 (ESV) says, "And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil."

As Christians, we should avoid unnecessary arguments with others. Again, there will always be times when a particular conflict is unavoidable or possibly necessary. But that doesn't mean we should look for a reason to quarrel, keep controversies alive, or argue with others over every issue.

Romans 12:18 (NASB) commands us, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men."

One of the reasons this verse is so amazing is that it simultaneously acknowledges that it is not always possible to live at peace with all people while still beckoning us to live wisely and righteously and avoid cultivating environments for needless conflict.

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) offers a good guiding principle for determining whether or not it would be wise and appropriate to share our opinions with others:

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what helps build others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Before we decide to share with others, we should ask ourselves if what we are about to share helps build the other person up and benefit them. If we determine that is not the case and understand that we might create conflict with what we contemplate sharing, then it would be wise to keep that matter to ourselves.

Today, let's avoid unnecessary quarrels by being thoughtful and intentional about what we share with others.

I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me be wise about what I share with others. Teach me to avoid unnecessary conflict, and please allow me to share only what benefits the person listening. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.