Posts Tagged ‘Genesis 2’

So now that we have taken a good look at conflict and what to do when we are in the midst of it; perhaps we should consider the question:  what causes conflict?  In the past, many of us have had the “wonderful” opportunity to find ourselves in situations saturated with conflict.  I believe that as we look back at these difficult times, we will come to realize that there is ONE primary source of conflict.

That’s right… I believe that every conflict has ONE primary cause.

UNMET EXPECTATIONS.  Failing to meet others expectations will almost always result in disagreement, disappointment, and conflict.  Consider this:  Adam and Eve in a garden of bliss – in perfect harmony with each other, the earth, and most importantly their Creator.  There is really only one expectation established for them:  don’t eat the tree.

Genesis 2:16-17  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it:  for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Just as it is in our life, the one thing we cannot have is the one thing we desire the most.  So what do they do?  They eat the tree.  They fail to meet God’s expectations for them.  What is the result?  CONFLICT.  They are punished by their Creator, banished from paradise, become spiritually dead, and enter into a severed relationship with God.  Incredible conflict comes as a result of failing to meet God’s expectations.

Why do we fail to meet others expectations?