The Bible and Emotional Intelligence: 5 Ways To Navigate Conflict with Compassion

Although the Bible doesn’t use the term, it has a lot to say about emotional intelligence. Much of biblical teaching concerns the mind. Believers are to have the mind of Christ. And they are to be transformed by renewing their minds in the word of God. When Scripture speaks of the soul, it refers to the mind or thoughts, will, and emotions.

If these three aren’t aligned with God’s word, it creates cognitive dissonance, an emotional imbalance, which impedes emotional intelligence. This is the discipline of managing your emotions.

Recognize Your Emotions

As a Christian, when you recognize that negative emotions or evil thoughts are bombarding your mind, you must take a step back. Recognize that you have an enemy who wants to invade your thought life. Reject the negative thoughts coming your way. You have authority over your mind and body. You can counter negative thoughts verbally. Then replace them with positive thoughts.

Begin quoting scriptures or playing praise and worship music to recharge the atmosphere, and sing along. Make positive confessions and affirmations that say who you are in Christ. When you have a positive mindset, you can bring peace to any conflict.

Practice Self-Discipline

Paul said Christians must manage their bodies by bringing them into subjection to the word of God. Study the Bible, which teaches believers to walk in love, faith, and obedience to the word. Your Christian experience involves developing into a spiritually and emotionally mature person. To do that, get familiar with the word and put it into practice.

If you’re struggling emotionally, you can speak with a more seasoned, skilled believer. We are to encourage one another in the faith. If needed, seek a trained Christian therapist who can offer wise counsel in the Word. They can help you develop your emotional intelligence so you’re in control of your emotions rather than them controlling you.  

Renew Your Mind

Christians are to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. Renewing your mind means leaving your old way of thinking behind and replacing it with God’s word. We’ve all been influenced by the world; our thoughts, beliefs, will, and emotions have been affected by our environment. Cast down false beliefs and be filled with the truth of God’s word.

The enemy wanted to influence your thinking. So he planted false teachers, doubters, and people who were bad examples in your pathway. But to renew your mind, you must renounce any thought, belief, or emotion that doesn’t align with the word of God. When you walk in the wisdom of God’s word, you walk in emotional intelligence.

Eliminating mental conflicts and operating in the Bible’s truths helps you overcome whatever falsehoods come your way.

Practice Compassion

As we have received compassion from God, we are to extend it to others. Throughout the Bible, God’s mercy and grace are spoken of and revealed to His people. Psalm 103:8 says, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” Lamentations 3:22 says that ” His compassions fail not.” As children of God, we are to be like Him.

God has shown faithfulness, kindness, forgiveness, and compassion. Likewise, we are to show the same to others. Emotional intelligence requires us to live by the standards of the Bible. Jesus said that as we’ve been given, we’re to give freely in return.

Giving compassion doesn’t conflict with walking in the wisdom of God’s word.

Move in Purpose

As a Christian, your purpose is to glorify God. Your life is a reflection of Christ, so you’re motivated to walk in faith and move in purpose. Faith should be the driving force behind your life as a believer. Your faith in God and in the Bible motivates you to do what pleases Him. Remember that faith without works is dead; therefore, let your actions back up your faith.

Purpose isn’t an afterthought in a God-centered life. Your purpose is what you are to accomplish here on earth. It’s of utmost importance. So, move in purpose. This will involve faith, motivation, and emotional intelligence.

Final Thoughts

The Bible has a great deal to say about emotional intelligence. It comes from the One who gave us our emotions. When you’re mindful of recognizing your emotions, practicing self-discipline, renewing your mind, pursuing compassion, and moving with purpose, you can handle conflict compassionately. And you’re on your way to becoming an emotionally balanced, secure, and intelligent person.