THE BURDEN OF PROOF, HANDLING CONFLICT THE BIBLE WAY

Conflicts in life will always be there as long as humankind exists. Conflicts are caused by the fact that it is impossible for human beings to see things in exactly the same way. That problem is even more compounded if these people have a different socialization, culture, of different gender etc. Conflict is also mostly due to the scarcity of the resources available. Siblings will conflict due to the small property left to them the provision attention they need etc. Political leaders will conflict because the elective post is one and the position needed to be filled is one, because each wants to catch the attention of the electorates etc. Communitied will conflict due to the scarcity of water for families and animals, farming and grazing fields, business and jobs opportunities. Men will conflict for setting an eye to the same woman, women for wanting the same man etc Conflicts badly handled can result into more difficulties for the people involved and the communities. Well handled conflicts can result into the necessary changes needed to grow and achieve the desired goals to the satisfaction of all. • When a conflict has arisen and one person or party feels offended, the responsibility of seeking a solution is biblically vested on the person who or party that feels it has been offended. This person or party must explain to the ' offender’ by: • Explaining the reasonable belief that a conflict has arisen • Explaining reasonable suspicion that a conflict will arise • Providing some credible evidence of the conflict and the mmediate intervention needed. The substantial evidence given must then be worked on in an escalatory manner that is peaceful. – Tell the person or people involved, involve others, go to the relevant authorities etc. All this time evidence is produced and the ‘offender’ is given an opportunity to tell his/ her side. Somewhere along the way in this loving and logical way to resolve matters, a solution is arrived at. St. Matthew 18:15 "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. St. Matthew 18:16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ’every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ St. Matthew 18:17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

TO MAKE OTHERS DEVILS FOR YOU TO APPEAR AN ANGEL ONLY WORKS AGAINST YOU AND THE SOCIETY

There are people who for personal interests will never acknowledge any good in others, they will always fault their character, their actions, their motives, their ability etc. These people show disrespect to the people who they want to present as evil. We have seen politicians who will never see or acknowledge any good in the other, men who try to win a girl or a woman by trying to show that the other is not fit, church leaders who want to gain trust of people by speaking evil of other church leaders, workers who try to get ahead by destroying the reputation of fellow workers , neighbors who wants to shine better than their fellow neighbors by assassinating their reputation, students and friends who think the only way to appear a star is to color other Stars black etc. This method of operation makes people to have doubts in you first, the person you have presented as evil and the set systems of the society. People, including your children and the younger generation are not able to know who is telling the truth and they start doubting if the system has the best interest of the society. When these doubts sets in, people become demoralized and hopeless. This hinders their performance and breeds rebellion, distrust and moral decay. There is nothing as dangerous to any society as this blame game of showing everyone and every action as evil without any sufficient logical evidence. St. Matthew 9:33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." St. Matthew 9:34 But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons." St. Matthew 9:35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. St. Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Note verse 36! When people who are supposed to lead and show what the way is get divided, people get confused and helpless.

INVEST IN YOURSELF. IT'S THE BEST INVESTMENT EVER.

Investing in yourself WILL HELP YOU IN OTHER INVESTMENTS. Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. - Here the heart represents the mind, the emotions/feelings, your deep inner convictions and indeed the whole you. - You can take the following measures to stabilize yourself so you are able to make other investments: • Watch out your innermost beliefs and convictions by minding the socialization you receive, the teachings you receive, what you watch on Television, listen to on Radio, read on books and magazines, are taught by faith Ministers etc. • Mind your health. Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, get good sleep, spend time with loved ones, keep reading, express yourself in writing. • Get education. Keeping yourself educated and informed makes you able to make the other investments. • Get more skills and keep improving them. These includes digital skills, soft skills, analytical skills, leadership skills etc. • Expand your networks. Have good people around you. Don’t forget that you will with time turn to be like your friends. Don’t miss networking events, it’s not a waste of time. • Gain more and more experience. Help even free of charge, do volunteer work, internships and part time jobs. •Aim fy a balance between work and your personal life. Set strict working boundaries. Preserve personal time. • Find a mentor. A person who has been before you and means we’ll for all people can help you stabilize in the midst of life’s storms and be able to invest in other areas. • Set boundaries in life. Know when to say yes and no before ‘requests’ presents themselves. • Find your life’s goal and let it be your Compass as you navigate the seas of life. • Ensure continued connection to your creator and obedience to Him.

A great leader

A great leader,in politics, in church and in any other sphere is one who has at his/her heart the best interest of the people. It is one who is honest with the people. It is one who is able to explain the state of things - how much money is there, how much money is needed, how is it made? It is one who engages people to know what their priorities are in the services they need. It is one who teaches and educates his/her people so that with information they can make educated choices. A leader does not have to give false promises. A true leader should always endeavor to serve people with all fairness and shun all corrupt practices. 1Sam. 12:3- " I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his annointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these, I will make it right." Be a leader even better than Samuel!