Conflict is the collision between persons or groups of persons with opposing interests. Items of interest in a conflict may be tangible or intangible. In most cases, conflicts arise from intangible opposing interests such as ideas, feelings, attitudes, and sentiments (Cooper, 2003). In research from Tjosvold (2006), conflicts primarily arise from opposing interests initiated by a scarcity of resources, frustration, and divergence of goals. The opposing interests can be expressed in mixed-motive relationships, where competitive and cooperative interests are exhibited. The competitive motives are responsible for the emerging conflicts, while the cooperative motive initiates the negotiation and resolution aspect.
Peacemaker
Conflicts have adverse effects on our relationships. It causes stress and strains our bonds, leading to the destruction of relationships with others and God. The bitterness that one harbor during conflicts, along with the unforgiving heart, also grieves the Lord, making our relationship with Him deteriorate. In Ephesians 4: 31-32 (New International Version, 2011), Christians are asked to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling, and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." These verses call for peacemaking initiatives through a biblical way of seeking resolutions when amidst differences. A peacemaker may be part of the differences or a third party who seeks to restore the relationship between conflicting individuals or parties. The peacemaker also helps one restore their relationship with God.
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In 1 st Samuel 25 (New International Version, 2011), Nabal is portrayed as a wealthy man with a thousand goats and three thousand sheep. While his men were grazing in the wilderness, they did so along with David and his men, and no conflicts arose. The peace in the wilderness between the two groups was uncommon because men occasionally fought for the limited resources during grazing. After the grazing, David heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep and send his men to go to him and seek that he extends meat and wool to them because they had coexisted harmoniously in the fields. However, Nabal replied with insults, creating tension between him and David’s camp. David instructed his men to get ready for war with Nabal’s men, and Abigail (Nabal's wife) learned of this before it took place. She gathered presents and went to David, appreciating him for the peace Nabal’s men had in the fields and seeking forgiveness for his husband’s insults. She explained that seeking revenge against Nabal would not be godly. As a peacemaker, Abigail demonstrated courage and intelligence in initiating peace talks and striking a peace deal with David. She also demonstrated that peacemakers are action-driven and brave.
Negotiation Strategies
Conflicts can be eliminated through avoiding and moving away, subordinating and giving up, or forced submission. However, these modes of resolution are undesired, making negotiation the preferred form of dispute settlement. Despite the wide use of negotiations, the method requires strategies that guarantee its success. Unrealistic and unfair strategies may fail to achieve conflict resolution goals.
Initiation and Structuring Strategies
The first approach in a negotiation approach is initiation and structuring. A negotiation process has to be initiated, and the conflicting parties invited to structure the negotiation approach. An agreement on the structure of the negotiating process provides a foundation for the parties to build on their resolution process. The initiation and structuring strategy must emphasize understanding the reasons that make the negotiation inevitable. Some common reasons include a route to escape a hurting and costly stalemate, avert an impending catastrophe, or realize the enticing benefits of resolution (Dreu, 2014).
Value Creation
A viable negotiation strategy must create benefits for protagonists. Value creation gives the conflicting groups reasons to consider the process because it leaves them better positioned than their situation during conflicts. Value creation promotes negotiation and resolution and boosts economic recovery in conflicts with adverse economic effects (Dreu, 2014). Also, value creation eliminates the reoccurrence of conflicts because it creates long-lasting benefits and agreements.
Multi-Issue Strategy
In some cases, conflicts arise from single issues, making it difficult for negotiators to meet protagonists' demands. When conflicts are of this nature, negotiators must deploy a strategy that breaks up the issue into multiple sub-issues. After creating sub-issues, a multiple-issue strategy enjoys the advantage of a reduced probability of disagreement among all the identified sub-issues. Agreeing on some of the issues creates a first step towards conflict resolution. Also, a multi-issue strategy promotes fairness and equity in the distribution of benefits to protagonists. Additionally, equity creates cooperation motivation fueled by the optimism that the process considers needs and interests for each side (Dreu, 2014).
Process for Resolving Conflict
Step One: Self-Reflection
The conflicting parties must first go through a self-reflection process. The process seeks to make one understand that wrongdoings from both protagonists fuel conflicts. Romans 3:23 (New International Version, 2011) reminds Christians that everyone has sinned against the Lord. Matthew 7:3-5 (New International Version, 2011) asks, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" According to these verses, the first step in conflict resolution is understanding that were are all at fault and should be ready to eliminate our mistakes before seeking similar actions from the other party.
Step Two: Seeking Audience
After self-reflection, take action and initiate the resolution process. This should be done by starting communication with the other party. Physical approach, verbal, or written communication may be used to effect this step. In Matthew 18:15 (New International Version, 2011), Christians are advised that “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.”
Step Three: Mediation
When negotiation between protagonists is unproductive, mediation should be deployed. Mediation is a structured negotiation process facilitated by a third party that must be neutral. The mediator facilitates and guides parties into a mutually beneficial settlement. Conflicts should, ideally, end at this step.
Arbitration
When resolutions cannot be achieved, arbitration is deployed. An arbitration process is an out-of-court approach where a written agreement is made by a neutral third party who makes fair decisions that become binding to both parties.
References
Cooper, H. H. A. T. (2003). What Is Conflict? Journal of Police Crisis Negotiations , 3 (1), 85–100. https://doi.org/10.1300/j173v03n01_06
Dreu, C. K. W. (2014). Negotiating deals and settling conflict can create value for both sides. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences , 1 (1), 156–163. https://doi.org/10.1177/2372732214549016
New International Version . (2017). New International Version Online. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+samuel+25&version=NIV
Tjosvold, D. (2006). Defining conflict and making choices about its management. International Journal of Conflict Management , 17 (2), 87–95. https://doi.org/10.1108/10444060610736585
