23 Bible Quotes To Help Parents Deal With Sibling Rivalry
Do everything without complaining or arguing to become blameless & pure children of God. (Phil. 2:4)
pexels Generally, sibling rivalry is rooted in jealousy or competition.
Whatever it is you are interested intrigued by in your life you do tend to look at the best in your field and want to replicate that success.
This idea is taken to a macro level when we look at the family.
If your brothers and sisters get straight A’s in the classes you will psychologically want to conform with the rest of the group to fit in.
This is rooted in back to the stone age, if we didn’t conform and work together we would die.
There are also other examples of how it can begin such as a feeling in one of the children that they don’t receive equal attention.
Parents who act out in certain ways will lead that decision into their own. Stress in your children's lives when it comes to school or drama can lead them to burst out the anger they have inside.
There are also differences in the genders. Boys tend to respond to rivalry in a more physical way but don’t construe all actions from boys to be violent.
Boys love to play fight with other people, it relieves stress and actually brings them closer together.
A lot of it does end when the children become more mature which is dictated somewhat by how parents act.
The best way to resolve it is to spend more time with your kids and to develop healthy ways of communicating with them such as having family dinners every night or going out to vacation.
Generally, sibling rivalries end when you incorporate those things but sometimes counseling could be necessary if there’s a breaking point.
Sometimes these bitter rivalries go even to adulthood, generally at that point having one on one conversations do work best.
If all else fails, sometimes the best course is to limit time with that person.
The bible can help you understand better about how to confront sibling rivalry.
These are the best Bible verses for parents and children of big families dealing with sibling rivalry.
1. Don’t hate each other.
1 John 3:15 “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.“
2. Help others in need.
1 John 3:17 “But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his compassion from him, how does the love of God remain in him?“
3. Love is just love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-6 “Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, 5 doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; 6 doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.”
4. Respect everyone you come towards.
1 Peter 2:17 “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”
5. Try to be the calm one in an angry situation.
Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”
6. Don’t treat others badly.
Matthew 5:22 “But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, 'You fool,' shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna."
7. Learn where the conflict first started.
James 4:1 “Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your pleasures that war in your members?“
8. Don’t judge your fellow brothers.
James 5:9 “Don't grumble, brothers, against one another, so that you won't be judged. Behold, the judge stands at the door.”
9. Be kind to one another.
Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.”
10. Teach a kid into adulthood.
Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.."
11. Don’t allow children to become persuaded into not the following god.
Matthew 18:6 "but whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea."
12. Two wrongs don't make a right.
Thessalonians 5:15 "See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, towards one another, and towards all."
13. Talk to your siblings one on one.
Matthew 5:23-24 “If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
14. Love one another.
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.”
15. Love your siblings.
Proverbs 12:1 “Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”
16. We all do things that are wrong.
1 John 1:8 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
17. Be grateful for the gifts you have.
1 Peter 4:10 “According as each has received a gift, be ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the grace of God in its various forms."
18. Jesus sacrificed a lot for you to spread love to your family.
Matthew 20:28 “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
19. Give back to those in need.
Proverbs 31: 8-9 “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
20. Do good and give back to your community.
Hebrews 13:16 ”Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
21. Be humble.
Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.”
22. Don’t envy the people you love.
Galatians 5:26 “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
23. Live a peaceful happy life.
Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Steven Hall is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.