Spiritual Peacebuilding

In the church world, there is an abundance of teaching about spiritual warfare, but little is known about the next dimension, spiritual peacebuilding.

Library shelves are lined with books about fighting spiritual warfare -- standing firm “against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12) but there are few titles that promote the pathways to the “peace that transcends all understanding” (Phil. 4:7).

Christians around the world proudly proclaim the war cry, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Eph. 6:13) and then attack the very people they are commanded to love. In more severe cases of conflict, opponents may even be demonized by being assigned names of evil spirits to their bad behaviors; he has a spirit of unforgiveness, she has a Jezebel spirit, they must have unconfessed sin in their lives, or they are a cancer that has to be removed. Some writers even make exhaustive lists, to assure that every evil spirit is exposed. Don’t be mistaken, there is a time for genuine spiritual warfare where believers are commanded to take a stand against Satan and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, fearlessly proclaiming the “manifold wisdom of God” (Eph 6:10-11; 3:10). However, many of the battles could be avoided, or kept from being so damaging, if the church would teach and practice effective peacemaking skills rather than focusing on spiritual warfare alone.

By creating an environment where open dialogue, looking out for the interest of others, and problem solving skills are a first response rather than the final attempt to stop the hurting or halt the division, there would be more churches enjoying a peaceful ministry. A knife has the capability to kill in the hands of an angry and resentful victim. A knife also has the ability to be skillfully used in the hand of a surgeon who knows exactly where to cut with precision and leave only the faintest reminder of a scar.
--- excerpt from "The Peace-Full Church: Spiritual Peacebuilding for Church Leaders