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.