Confrontation is a challenging yet inevitable aspect of human relations and interactions. It manifests in various aspects of life, from personal to professional realms, and is pivotal in conflict resolution and ensuring justice. The Bible offers profound insight into how believers should handle confrontation – promoting a balanced approach that upholds truth, righteousness, and love.
What Does the Bible Say About Confrontation?
The Bible presents a range of perspectives and teachings about confrontation. It highlights the importance of addressing conflict skillfully and responsibly to maintain harmony and uphold moral standards. The Bible encourages believers to confront others with love and grace, avoiding excessive aggression or passivity. It also emphasizes the necessity of honesty and integrity during confrontation, advocating for truth, even when it may seem uncomfortable.
Why Does the Bible Encourage Confrontation?
The Bible encourages confrontation, not as a mechanism of provoking discord but as a tool towards resolution and growth. It upholds confrontation as a pathway for open communication, fostering understanding, and restoring relationships. The Bible supports the idea that confrontation, undertaken with love and respect, can facilitate healing, rebuild lost trust, and promote unity within communities.
Who Should Confront According to the Bible?
While confrontation is advised in the Bible, it offers direction on who is best suited to initiate it. According to Biblical teachings, those confronting should possess certain qualities, including spiritual maturity, wisdom, and a compassionate heart. A confrontor should be able to combine firmness with empathy, ensuring that the confrontation does not breed resentment or ill will. It is important that the person confronting is also ready to listen and understand the opposing perspective, as this encourages a successful resolution.
When is Confrontation Suggested in The Bible?
The Bible suggests confrontation when an individual’s action contradicts moral or spiritual principles. It should be used as a means of correcting misguided actions and restoring righteousness. However, the Bible also emphasizes the right timing for confrontation. It suggests that one should exhibit patience and discernment, confronting only when the individuals involved are willing and prepared to engage in constructive dialogue.
Where Should Confrontation Occur According to the Bible?
The Bible does not explicitly state the physical location for confrontation but it promotes the idea of a safe and respectful environment. It implies that confrontation should occur in a non-threatening environment where the involved parties can openly and honestly discuss their issues. A suitable environment encourages discussion, and significantly aids the progression towards resolution and understanding.
Below is our full list of bible verses on confrontation (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Confrontation
Matthew 18:15-20
“15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Resolving Conflict Gossip
Galatians 6:1
“1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
Related Themes: Criticism Trespassing Reaping Pride Judging Others
Matthew 18:15-17
“15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Resolving Conflict Gossip
Galatians 2:11-14
“11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Judging Others Peer Pressure
2 Timothy 3:16
“16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
Related Themes: Criticism Education Business Education Learning
Luke 17:3
“3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Repentance Criticism Bitterness
2 Timothy 4:2
“2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
Related Themes: Patience Arguing Discernment Attitude Rebuking
Matthew 7:3-5
“3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
Related Themes: Criticism Arguing Judging Others Criticism Jewelry
Titus 3:10
“10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;”
Related Themes: Gossip Negativity Excommunication Fighting Discipline
Ephesians 4:15
“15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Criticism Gossip Judging Others Resolving Conflict
Leviticus 19:17-18
“17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Hate Anger Rebuking
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
“14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”
Related Themes: Idleness Excommunication Discipline Shunning
Matthew 18:15
“15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Resolving Conflict Gossip
James 5:19-20
“19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”
Related Themes: Repentance Judging Others Abuse Discipline Correction
Titus 2:15
“15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
Related Themes: Rebuking Discipline
Galatians 6:1-2
“1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Related Themes: Criticism Trespassing Reaping Pride Judging Others
Matthew 5:23-24
“23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Bitterness Arguing Forgiveness Reconciliation
James 4:6
“6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
Related Themes: Pride Humility Grace Self-Esteem Humility
Colossians 3:13
“13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Bitterness Forgiveness Criticism Resolving Conflict
Luke 20:1-8
“1 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.”
Philippians 2:3-4
“3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
Related Themes: Pride Humility Respecting Your Parents
Matthew 7:1
“1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.”
Related Themes: Judging Others Criticism Judging Others Gossip
Ephesians 4:32
“32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Forgiveness Kindness Bitterness Reconciliation
Proverbs 27:17
“17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
Related Themes: Criticism Friendship Teamwork Working Together Dating
Proverbs 19:11
“11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.”
Related Themes: Frustration Bitterness Arguing Anger Offense
Proverbs 27:5
“5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.”
Related Themes: Criticism Friendship Rebuking Offense
James 5:19
“19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;”
Related Themes: Repentance Judging Others Abuse Discipline Correction
Hebrews 4:12
“12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Related Themes: Discernment Greatness Omnipresence Heart Complaining
2 Corinthians 10:5
“5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
Related Themes: Lust Arguing Attitude Fidelity Bitterness
Matthew 3:7
“7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”
Related Themes: Retribution
