JEHOVAH GOD urges Christians to cherish peace, to make peace a key aspect of life. The result of our being peaceable is that true worshippers enjoy an abundance of peace. This helps to make the Christian congregation attractive to others who wish to be free of conflict.

For instance, a prominent witch doctor in Madagascar observed the harmony enjoyed by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He said to himself, ‘If ever I wanted to follow a religion, this would be the one.’ In time, he quit his spiritistic practices, spent months straightening out his unscriptural marital situation, and became a worshipper of Jehovah, the God of peace.

Like that man, thousands of people every year find in the Christian congregation the peace that they so desperately desire. However, the Bible makes it clear that the presence of “bitter jealousy and contentiousness” in the congregation can destroy friendships and create trouble. (Jas. 3:14-16) Happily, the Bible also provides us with positive advice on how we can avoid those problems and strengthen peace. To set the stage for doing so, let us consider some real-life situations.

“I had trouble getting along with a brother who worked with me. Once when we were yelling at each other, two people came in and witnessed our blowup.”—CHRIS.

“A sister with whom I often preached suddenly ended our arrangements for the ministry. Then she stopped talking to me altogether. I had no idea why.”—JANET.

“I was on a three-person phone call. One of the others said good-bye, and I thought he was off the line. I then said unkind things about him to the other person on the phone, but the first person had not hung up.”—MICHAEL.

“In our congregation, two pioneers began having problems. One took to scolding the other. Their bickering was discouraging to others.”—GARY.

You might feel that those incidents appear minor. Still, each had the potential for causing lasting emotional and spiritual injury to those involved. You will be pleased to know, though, that peace was restored by those brothers and sisters, who all used the Bible as their guide. What Bible guidelines do you think they applied successfully?

 “Do not become upset with one another on the way.” (Gen. 45:24) Joseph gave that advice to his brothers who were returning to their father. How wise his words were! When a person does not control his feelings and gets upset easily, he may provoke others to anger. Chris came to see that his weaknesses were pride and a reluctance to accept direction. Wanting to change, he apologized to the brother with whom he had been arguing and then worked hard to control his temper. Noting Chris’ effort to change, the workmate also made adjustments. Now they enjoy serving Jehovah together.

“Plans fail when there is no consultation.” (Prov. 15:22) Janet concluded that she needed to take that truth more to heart. She decided to ‘consult,’ or speak with, the other sister. During their conversation, Janet tactfully invited the sister to open up regarding her resentment. At first, the conversation was somewhat tense, but things improved as they discussed their problem in a calm way. The sister discovered that she had misunderstood a matter that did not even involve Janet. She apologized, and they are once again serving Jehovah as a team.

“If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away. First make your peace with your brother.” (Matt. 5:23, 24) You may recall that advice Jesus gave in the Sermon on the Mount. Michael felt devastated when he realized how inconsiderate and unkind he had been. He was determined to make an effort to restore peace. He humbly apologized face-to-face to the brother he had hurt. With what result? Michael says, “My brother genuinely forgave me.” Their friendship was restored.

“Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely even if anyone has a cause for complaint against another.” (Col. 3:12-14) In the case of the two longtime pioneers, a kind elder helped them to reflect on such questions as these: ‘Do the two of us have the right to make others sad because of our disagreement? Do we truly have a valid reason not to put up with each other and go on serving Jehovah peacefully?’ They accepted the elder’s counsel and applied it. Now they get along well as they preach the good news.

 Applying the Bible instruction just cited, Colossians 3:12-14, may be a good starting point if someone hurts you. Many have found that, with humility, they can just forgive and forget. If after some effort it seems that more is needed, could Matthew 18:15 be applied in principle? Jesus’ counsel here refers to the step to take when someone has committed a serious sin against another. But in principle it may be the course you need to follow. Simply approach your brother or sister and kindly and humbly try to discuss the matter and settle it.

Of course, the Bible provides other practical suggestions. Underlying many of them is your displaying “the fruitage of the spirit . . . love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.” (Gal. 5:22, 23) Like oil that lubricates a machine, those godly qualities allow for a smooth peacemaking process.

Personality—the unique set of traits that each of us has and that varies from one person to another—can make for rich friendships. Differences in personality can also lead to conflicts. An experienced elder gives this example: “Someone who is shy can have a difficult time being around an outgoing, backslapping person. That difference may seem unimportant; yet, it can lead to serious problems.” Do you feel, however, that people who have distinctly different personalities are bound to have problems? Well, consider two of the apostles. What was Peter like? You may think of him as outspoken and impulsive. What of John? We may think of him as loving and usually measured in his speech and actions. There may be some basis for such ideas about those two apostles. It seems that they differed in personality.  Still, they worked well together. (Acts 8:14; Gal. 2:9) Accordingly, it is possible for Christians with quite different personalities to work together today.

Perhaps there is in your congregation a brother whose speech and actions irritate you. Still, you realize that Christ died for that person and you are to show love. (John 13:34, 35; Rom. 5:6-8) So rather than write off any friendship with that one or tend to avoid him, ask yourself: ‘Is my brother doing something that is clearly wrong Scripturally? Is he maliciously trying to cause me discomfort? Or do we just have different personalities?’ Also, of great importance is the question: ‘Which of his good qualities can I benefit from?’

That last question is key. If the person is a talker and you are quiet, think of the ease with which he starts conversations in the ministry. You might offer to work with the person in the ministry and see what you can learn. If he has often shown generosity to others, whereas you tend to be a bit tightfisted, why not note the joy that comes from giving to the elderly, the sick, or the needy? The point is, even though you have different personalities, you and your brother may be able to draw closer by focusing on the positive. Your doing so may not turn you into close companions, but it can help to draw you together and increase peace—in you and in the congregation as a whole.

Euodia and Syntyche may have had distinctly different ways or personalities. Yet, the apostle Paul encouraged them “to be of the same mind in the Lord.” (Phil. 4:2) Will you similarly work toward that goal and the related goal of peace?

Like weeds growing wild in a flower garden, bad feelings toward others will likely  get worse unless we strive to uproot them. Once bitterness overpowers a person’s heart, it can even impact the spirit of the congregation. If we love Jehovah and our brothers, we will do all we can to keep personal differences from disturbing or diminishing the peace of God’s people.

When we address conflicts or differences with the goal of making peace, we may be surprised at the excellent results. Consider the experience of one Witness: “I felt that one sister was treating me as if I were a child. It really bothered me. As my irritation grew, I started being curt with her. I thought, ‘She does not show me the respect I deserve, so I am not going to show her respect.’”

This Witness then began to think about her own actions. “I began seeing my own personality flaws, and I was very disappointed in myself. I realized that I had to adjust my thinking. After praying to Jehovah about the matter, I bought the sister a small gift and wrote her a card to apologize for my bad attitude. We hugged each other and agreed to put the matter behind us. We have not had any more problems.”

People desperately need peace. However, when they face threats to their position and pride, many start acting in a way that is not peaceable. That is true of many who do not worship Jehovah, but among his name worshippers, peace and unity should prevail. He inspired Paul to write: “I . . . appeal to you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all humility and mildness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, earnestly endeavoring to maintain the oneness of the spirit in the uniting bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:1-3) That “uniting bond of peace” is priceless. Let us strengthen it and be determined to resolve any differences that may surface among us.

E JEHOVA hoo ne emwa ni gae gha mwẹ ọfunmwegbe. Ọ vbe hoo ne dọmwadẹ ima gha gu egbe loo vbe odẹ ọghe ọfunmwegbe. Ma ghaa ru ọna, ọfunmwegbe ghi do gha rrọọ vbuwe ẹbu emwa ni ga e Jehova vbe odẹ ọghe ẹmwata. Ọna ẹre ọ si ẹre ne ẹmwẹ ima ne Ivbiotu e Kristi ọghe ata na yẹẹ emwa ọvbehe ni gualọ ọfunmwegbe.

Vbe Igiemwi, okpia ọkpa nọ zẹ ọbo edunna na họn usi ẹre rre vbe Madagascar keghi guan kaan ọfunmwegbe nọ rre uwu ẹbu Avbe Osẹe Jehova. Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ, ‘Deghẹ I gha deba ugamwẹ rhọkpa, ẹi gberra Avbe Osẹe Jehova.’ Ọ ghi sẹ ẹghẹ, ọ ma ghi gha gu orhiọn dan muobọ, ọ na ru afiwerriẹ nọ khẹke vbe orọnmwẹ ọghẹe, ẹre ọ na suẹn gha ga e Jehova ne Osa ọghe ọfunmwegbe.

Erriọ arriaisẹn emwa nibun vbe ya deba Ivbiotu e Kristi, rhunmwuda evba ẹre iran na miẹn ọfunmwegbe ne iran gele gualọ. Sokpan deghẹ ima ma begbe, ma sẹtin khian emwa nẹi ghi mwẹ ọfunmwegbe. E Baibol gima rẹn wẹẹ, ‘igbọvo kevbe ikhọ ẹko’ keghi si olighi kevbe ighaegbe vbuwe iko. (Jems 3:14-16) Ibude ni rre Baibol keghi ru iyobọ ne ima ya gbaengbe ne ọlọghọmwa nibun, ọna ẹre ọ ghi ya ima mwẹ ọfunmwegbe vbuwe iko. Gima ziro yan vbene ibude ni rre Baibol ya ru iyobọ ne emwa eso hẹ.

“Mẹ vbe ọtẹn ọkpa ne ima gba winna ma zẹdẹ gha lẹruegbe. Te emwa vẹẹ rre do gha ghee ima vbe ima gui vbe ẹdẹ ọkpa.”—CHRIS.

“Ọtẹn nokhuo ọkpa ne ima gba yo ikporhu na wẹẹ irẹn i ghi deba mwẹ yọ ikporhu. Vbe iyeke ọni, ọna ye eghian so mwẹ. I ma zẹdẹ rẹn emwi nọ sunu.”—JANET.

“Vbe I gu orhunmwu eva guan vbe e foni, ọkpa vbọ na ghi kha wẹẹ, ọ khian vbọ gha zẹ kpẹ. Ne I na te gha roro ighẹ ọ fian e foni nẹ, I na suẹn gha tae ọtakhọ ma nọ kẹre. Okiekie ẹre I ghi ya do rẹn wẹẹ ọ họn emwi hia ne I tae.”—MICHAEL.

“Vbe iko ọghe ima, arọndẹ eva na gha mwẹ imuaẹmwẹ. Ọkpa vbọ na wa gha zaan nọ kẹre. Ọna ma zẹdẹ gha ya ẹko rhiẹnrhiẹn etẹn nikẹre.”—GARY.

Ma sẹtin gha roro ẹre wẹẹ, emwi kherhe ẹre ọ sunu. Sokpan emwi vbenia keghi daa ọmwa sẹ ugboloko, ọ sẹtin vbe si ikuanegbe vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn. Nọ ya maan ọre wẹẹ, etẹn na yunu kaẹn ban keghi ru adọlọ rhunmwuda iran lele adia ni rre Baibol. De ibude ni rre Baibol nọ ru iyobọ ne iran?

“Uwa ghẹ muan ẹmwẹ vbe odẹ.” (Gẹn. 45:24, NW) Ọna ọre ibude ne Joseph rhie  ne etiọnrẹn vbe iran ghi rrie owa. Ibude nọ maan ẹre ọ rhie ne iran. Ọmwa ne ohu rherhe mu sẹtin vbe ya ohu mu emwa ọvbehe. E Chris keghi do bẹghe ẹre wẹẹ, itengbemu kevbe ai hoo na rhie ibude ọre ako ne irẹn na vburriẹ. Ọ na gele ze emwi ru, ọ na ya rinmwian ọtẹn ne iran gba muan ẹmwẹ. Ọ na hia nọ gha dia egbe ẹre vbe nọ dekaan ohu nọ rherhe muẹn. Ọtẹn nokpia ne iran gba winna ghi bẹghe afiwerriẹ vbe uyinmwẹ Chris, irẹn tobọre na vbe ru afiwerriẹ. Nia te iran ghi gba ga e Jehova vbuwe ọfunmwegbe.

“Gualọ ude vbe ehe ne a gha na sẹtin bu ruẹ ude.” (Itan 15:22) E Janet keghi ta muolọ yan rẹn wẹẹ irẹn gha ya ẹmwẹ ibude na ru emwi. Ẹre ọ na ghi bu ọtẹn nokhuo nọ ya eghian so ẹre ya nọ rẹn emwi nọ sunu. Vbe iran ghi guan, e Janet na ya ẹwaẹn nọ rẹn deghẹ ọ mwẹ emwi ne irẹn ru ẹre. Vbe okaro ọ ma zẹdẹ gha khuẹrhẹ, sokpan zẹ vbene iran ya guan, orhiọn iran na ghi do gha rhiotọ, rhunmwuda iran ma ya urhu ẹzọ gha gu egbe guan. Ọtẹn nokhuo nii na do bẹghe ẹre wẹẹ, e Janet ma rẹn ọkpa rẹn eva vbekpae emwi nọ te ya ohu muẹn. Irẹn ẹre ọ ghi gha rinmwian Janet. Nia te iran ghi werriegbe koko ga e Jehova vbuwe ọfunmwegbe.

“Adeghẹ uwẹ viọ emwi ne u ra ya yo imuohan gie Osanobua sẹ odaro ogiukpo nẹ, u na do yerre vbe evba nii ighẹ imuaẹmwẹ rre ẹkpo uwẹ vbe ọtuẹn, sẹ emwi imuohan ni rae ye evba, uwẹ vbe ọtuẹn ka ya dọlọ nẹ.” (Mat. 5:23, 24) Jesu ẹre ọ ta ẹmwẹ ibude na vbe ọ kporhu vbe uhunmwu oke. E Michael ghi ta ọtakhọ nẹ, ekhoẹ ọre na suẹn gha fi ẹre uwẹnrhiẹn. Ẹre ọ na ghi ya ekhọe yan rẹn wẹẹ irẹn gha ru adọlọ, ọ na gele ya rinmwian ọtẹn nii. Vbọ ghi kẹrikian? E Michael keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ọtẹn mwẹ keghi ya ekhọe hia yabọ mwẹ.” Iran na ghi werriegbe khian ọse.

“Wa gha ye egbe obọ, wa gha yabọ egbe deghẹ ọmwaikọmwa kevbe ogieva ẹre gba muan egbe ẹmwẹ.” (Kọl. 3:12-14) U yerre arọndẹ eva ni ghaa mwẹ e gbe ẹzọ ra? Ọkpa vbe ediọn ẹre ọ ru iyobọ ne iran. Ọ na wẹẹ ne iran ru erria yan avbe inọta na: ‘Ọ khẹke ne ima gha ya ẹzọ ima kpokpo etẹn ọvbehe vbe iko ra? Vbọzẹe ne ima i na gele lẹruegbe?’ Iran keghi ya ibude na ru emwi. Ọse ẹre iran ghi khin nia.

Ebe Kọlose 3:12-14 gha sẹtin ru iyobọ nuẹn ya yabọ ọmwa nọ ru emwi nọ sọnnọ ruẹ. Emwa eso keghi do bẹghe ẹre wẹẹ, imuegberriotọ ẹre ọ ru iyobọ ne iran ya yabọ. Deghẹ u hia re nu yabọ sokpan ẹmwẹ nii ma la hin ruẹ ekhọe rre, u sẹtin lele ilele  nọ rre Matiu 18:15. Adia ne Jesu rhie ne ima vbe ako na keghi dekaan orukhọ nọ wegbe, sokpan a sẹtin lele obẹlẹ na ya ru adọlọ vbe ọmwa gha ru emwi nọ sọnnọ ima. Vbe odẹ ọghe imuegberriotọ, ma ghi bu ọtẹn na gha rrie owa ya guẹ ru adọlọ.

Adia nibun rre Baibol ne ima gha sẹtin lele ya ru adọlọ. Ima gha sẹtin lele avbe adia na deghẹ ima mwẹ avbe akpa ọghe ‘ọmọ okọ ọghe orhiọn’ . . . nọ re “ahoẹmwọmwa, oghọghọ, ọfunmwegbe, izinegbe, itohan, ekhọesi, amuẹntinyan, imuegberriotọ kevbe amuegbe ye ọghọ.” (Gal. 5:22, 23) Zẹ vbene ofigbọn ya ye masini winna ẹse, erriọ avbe akpa na vbe ya adọlọ na ru khuẹrhẹ.

Uyinmwẹ keghi re akpa ughughan na biẹ ima biẹ. Avbe akpa na sẹtin ye ọse eva sikẹ egbe sayọ rhunmwuda ọ mwẹ ọna i mwẹ ọna ẹre nọ. Alughaẹn ne egbe na sẹtin vbe si ẹzọ. Ọdiọn ọkpa vbe iko, nọ kpẹre nẹ vbe otu keghi ru igiemwi ọghe vbene ọna gha ya sẹtin sunu hẹ, vbe ọ khare wẹẹ: “Ọ lọghọ ne ọmwa ne ekhue mu gha gu ọmwa nọ soyaya muobọ. Ma sẹtin kha wẹẹ alughaẹn na ma de emwi nọ rhiae sokpan ọ sẹtin si imuaẹmwẹ ra ẹzọ.” Ẹmwata gele nọ wẹẹ emwa ni mwẹ akpa ughughan i sẹtin gu obọ egbe ra? Gia guan kaẹn ukọ e Peter kevbe Jọn? De aro ọmwa ne Peter ghaa khin? E Pita kegha re ọmwa nọ soyaya kevbe nọ ta emwikemwi nọ rrọọ re ekhọe. E Jọn kegha re ọmwa nọ kọn ẹmwẹ ta kevbe nọ roro emwi nẹ, ọ ke ruẹ. E Pita vbe Jọn wa lughaẹn ne egbe sokpan iran winna kugbe vbene iran ma na gui ẹzọ. (Iwinna 8:14; Gal. 2:9) Vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ, Ivbiotu e Kristi ni mwẹ akpa ughughan gha vbe sẹtin winna kugbe vbuwe ọfunmwegbe.

Deghẹ ọ mwẹ ọtẹn vbe iko nu ye nọ ru emwi nọ sọnnọ ruẹ vbe ẹghẹ hia, yerre wẹẹ,  ọ deba emwa ne Jesu wu na, rhunmwuda ọni, te ọ khẹke nu hoẹmwẹ ọnrẹn. (Jọn 13:34, 35; Rom. 5:6-8) Nu gha te ya ye eghian so ọtẹn vberriọ, nọ egbuẹ: ‘Ọ mwẹ emwi ne ọtẹn na ru nọ ma gu ilele ọghe Baibol ro ra? Te irẹn wa gheghe hoo nọ gha ya agbọn lọghọ mwẹ ra? Ra ne ima na lughaẹn ne egbe nọ?’ Inọta nọ ghi wa ru ekpataki sẹ ọre: ‘De akpa ọghẹe nọ maan nọ khẹke ni ya egbe ta?’

Inọta nokiekie nii wa gele ru ekpataki. A sẹtin miẹn wẹẹ ọmwa nọ wa talọ nọ, sokpan uwẹ na gha re ọmwa nẹi kẹ guan. U gha lele ọtẹn vberriọ ye ikporhu, u gha miẹn emwi ruẹ vbe odẹ nọ ya rherhe mu ẹmwẹ so. Deghẹ ọtẹn na, na gha re ọmwa ne obọ ẹse tọlọ, sokpan uwẹ na gha re ọmwa nẹi kẹ rhie ladian, ẹi mwẹ aro ruẹ ma he dae, vbene ọyẹnmwẹ sọe hẹ rhunmwda iyobọ nọ ru ne avbe ọmaẹn, emwa ni khuọnmwi kevbe emwa ne obọ ma sẹ ọre. Ọna sẹtin ya ruẹ khian ọmwa nọ ze emwi obọ. Agharhemiẹn wẹẹ akpa ughughan uwẹ vbe ọtẹn na mwẹ, uwa gha sẹtin sikẹ egbe sayọ deghẹ uwa na gha rhie aro tua akpa ni maan ne uwa mwẹ. A sẹtin miẹn wẹẹ uwa ma do khian ọse ne khuankhuankhuan, sokpan ọna sẹtin ya uwẹ kevbe etẹn nikẹre vbuwe iko gha mwẹ ọfunmwegbe.

Ughaghe Euodia kevbe Syntyche kegha re emwa ni wa lughaẹn ne egbe. Ọrheyerriọ, e Pọl keghi rhie igiọdu ne iran, ne iran “dọlọ kugbe zẹ vbe etẹn ne ikhuo vbe uwu e Nọyaẹnmwa.” (Fil. 4:2) Ima gha lele adia na, ọ gha ya ọfunmwegbe gha rre uwu iko.

Deghẹ a ma vbọlọ irunmwu dan hin ugbo na kọ emwi okọ yi rre, irunmwu nii sẹtin mu ugbo nii. Deghẹ ima vbe otẹn mwẹ egbe ẹzọ, te ọ khẹke ne ima rherhe ru adọlọ. Ahoẹmwọmwa ne ima mwẹ ne Jehova kevbe etẹn ima, ẹre ọ khian gu ima kpa ya ru  vberriọ ne ọfunmwegbe mieke na gha rre uwu iko.

Ma gha loo ẹrhiọn yọ ya ru adọlọ, ẹi mwẹ ọ ma biẹ ọmọ esi. Gia guan kaẹn emwi ẹwaẹn ọghe ọtẹn nokhuo ọkpa. Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “I kegha roro wẹẹ ọtẹn nokhuo ọkpa ya aro ọvbokhan ghee mwẹ. Ẹko ma rhiẹnrhiẹn mwẹ yọ hiehie. Rhunmwuda ohu nọ mu mwẹ, I ma ghi gha gu ẹre guan ẹse. Ẹi rhie ọghọ mẹ, vbia khian ghi rhie ọghọ nẹẹn ba?”

Ọtẹn Nokhuo na, na do gha muẹn roro deghẹ emwi esi irẹn ru na. “I na do gha bẹghe abakuru mwẹ, ọna keghi wa ya egbe wọọ mwẹ. I na vbe do bẹghe ẹre wẹẹ, ọ khẹke ni fiwerriẹ. I na mu ẹmwẹ na ma e Jehova vbe erhunmwu, vbe iyeke ọni, I na dẹ emwi ya gie ọtẹn nokhuo na. I na vbe gbẹn ebe ya rinmwiaẹn nọ yabọ mwẹ. Ma na mu egbe dede, ma na vbe mu ẹzọ fua.”

Ai miẹn ọmwa nẹi gualọ ọfunmwegbe. Sokpan itengbemu kevbe ohan ọghe a gha miẹn iran ukpo sẹtin ya emwa eso gha gbolighi. Emwa nẹi ga e Jehova ẹre ọ yin uyinmwẹ vberriọ. Sokpan ọfunmwegbe kevbe akugbe ẹre a miẹn vbuwe ẹbu emwa ni ga e Jehova. Orhiọn nọhuanrẹn keghi gu e Pọl kpa ya gbẹn wẹẹ: “I . . . ya tua uwa, ne uwa gha ru emwi zẹ vbene ọ sikẹ ukpo ne Osanobua mwa ne uwa, vbe ẹghẹ ne ọ na tie uwa. Wa gha mu egbe rriotọ, wa vbe fu, ne uwa vbe gha mwẹ izinegbe vbe ẹghẹ hia. Wa gha rhie maan ighẹ wa hoẹmwẹ egbe, vbekpae ne a na ru iyobọ ne egbe. Wa loo ẹtin uwa hia, ne uwa ya daeyi ighẹ akugbe ne Orhiọn rhie ne ọmwa, vbekpae ọfumwegbe nọ dee uwa hia kugbe.” (Ẹfis. 4:1-3) Ọfunmwegbe na, “nọ dee uwa hia kugbe,” keghi re emwi nai ya igho dẹ. Wa gima hia ne ima yae wegbe sayọ, ne ima vbe rherhe gha ru adọlọ vbe ẹghẹ ke ẹghe ne imuaẹmwẹ ya rhiegbe ma vbuwe ẹbu ima.