But when one's public image is seriously challenged, watch out for a real escalation in the conflict. All their 'constructive' moves were only deceptive covers for their real intentions. There is no longer ambiguity, but everything appears clear. To undermine the charges leveled against them, disputants will unleash a torrent of negative descriptions against those who have maligned them, attempting in turn, to undercut and discredit them. This exacerbates the cycle of conflict raising it to dangerous levels.
All love is lost.
The church is no longer big enough to accommodate everyone. People on the other side may be viewed as self-absorbed, corrupt, or even mentally unstable. The solution is either to leave the fellowship of the church or drive out the problem person or people. The conflict may be so intractable at this stage that disputants would rather suffer personal loss or the ruin of the church in order to see their adversary defeated. When the dust from the conflict settles, the worship, fellowship, and the work of the church, as well as the individual lives of those involved are adversely affected, often for years to come.