By Todd Paetznick, December 2, 2024

Blessed are the peacemakers . . . Or so we have been told by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:9).  

Everyone in the working world knows that conflicts, arguments, disagreements, power struggles, and other situations are inevitable. Why do they occur, and what should we, Christ-followers, do about less peaceful situations?

Why is there conflict?

Conflict exists because people think differently about outcomes and the methods needed to achieve those outcomes.  In business, greed is the force that often drives people and results in conflict.  Money is not the only thing people can be greedy for; some people desire power, others desire pleasure, and others still desire wealth.  Conflict forms when there are mutually exclusive conflicting desires.  In other words, not every person can achieve their desired personal outcome.  

A person who seeks power and position may only be able to achieve it when others cannot feel good about their part in the company’s achievement.  As one example, the pleasure gained through feeling good about helping the environment can be overshadowed by a powerful and charismatic leader gaining all the credit and glory for the achievements of many people working toward the outcome.  

People seeking power and position may prioritize themselves and their agenda over the organization’s revenue and profitability. A desire for personal riches and doing whatever it takes to achieve that outcome can conflict with another person’s desire for power. I have seen companies where executives cut employees’ pay and bonus structures but not their own.  Was this action taken for the good of the company and its financial well-being?  Or was the action taken to secure the power and position of company executives?  Without knowing what is truly in the heart of another person, we may never know.  But, as is said, “what is good for the goose is good for the gander.”  In other words, if the executives cut their pay the same as the others for the good of the company, their motivations would be less suspect.

Making Peace

Christ-followers are to be peacemakers who are considered the children of God.  Making peace is one of the attributes of God. Therefore, we should seek to emulate that aspect of God and follow Jesus’ command to be peacemakers.  But peace at any cost is not advocated in biblical teaching.

We live and work in a world where conflict exists in our homes, places of work, political circles, and churches.  Conflict often arises because people think differently about optimal outcomes and the steps to take to achieve those outcomes.  Disagreement will happen.  The Christ-follower is to work toward peace and harmony amid conflict, yet there is a caveat we cannot forget.  “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people” (Romans 12:18 NASB20).  Peace is our goal, but its achievement is not always up to us.  We should do what we can to bring about peace in our workplaces and everywhere else, but finding peaceful solutions and maintaining harmony may not be objectives shared by everyone.  

Christ-followers need to think differently about the outcomes and actions when pursuing peace.  We must advocate for what is good and right according to God’s standards, not people’s.  Peace at the cost of one’s integrity should not be something we pursue.  Peace achieved through moral compromise should not be considered.  

Compromise is not always the correct answer to achieve peace.  Satan offered Jesus authority and power over all the kingdoms of the earth that would ever exist in exchange for His worship.  On the surface, that seems like a bargain.  After all, every knee will bow before Jesus as King one day.  Plus, transitioning the power over every earthly kingdom to Jesus could have avoided centuries of wars, associated suffering, and needless loss of life.  Jesus’ response to Satan’s offer was instructive.  “Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY’” (Matthew 4:10 NASB20).  Jesus would not compromise to gain peace.  And yet, He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).