The Bone Wars
Bible in a Year: Genesis 18-19; Matthew 6:1-18
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Philippians 4:2
Today's Scripture: Philippians 4:1-3
Insight
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul calls on the believers in Jesus to rejoice no matter what circumstances they face (Philippians 4:4). He urges them to let go of personal pride and selfish ambition and continue to live in unity (see 2:3-4, 14; 4:2). They’re to have the same attitude that Christ had in order to live like Him (2:5-11). The apostle singled out two women—Euodia and Syntyche—whose personal rivalry was disrupting the church’s harmony. He urged them “to be of the same mind in the Lord” (4:2), echoing his earlier encouragement to be “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind” (2:2). He also called on an unnamed member in the church to help repair this fractured fellowship (4:3).
When we face conflict with other believers, the Spirit will help us be peacemakers and to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
In the American West in the late 1800s, the search for dinosaur bones created the Bone Wars, in which two paleontologists battled one another in their pursuit of making the most historic find. One writer noted how the two “used underhanded methods to try to outdo the other in the field, resorting to bribery, theft, and the destruction of bones.” He noted how, in trying to ruin each other’s work, both destroyed their own reputations as well.
Conflict and competition are inevitable in our broken world. How we choose to engage those conflicts reveals what’s in our hearts. Paul learned of conflict between two women in the church at Philippi and wrote, “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.” He asked a fellow believer to “help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel” (Philippians 4:2-3).
When we find ourselves at odds with fellow believers in Jesus, we need the Spirit’s help. As we submit to His work in our hearts, He’ll help us demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We’ll experience healing and peace—if not for our own reputations, for the reputation of Christ and the gospel.
Reflect & Pray
What conflicts do you face today? How could the peace of the Spirit make a difference in resolving them?
Loving Father, it must break Your heart when I war with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please give me Your wisdom and the aid of the Spirit to bring healing and unity.
Follow these ten rules for positive communication when resolving conflicts in relationships.