“Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your
disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.” (Philippians 4:2-3, NLT)
I love and often practice this scripture when interacting with the saints. I usually encourage them to forgive each other and grow past the incident. Since we have all sinned and come short of his glory (Romans 3:23), who are we to judge a man's servant (Romans 14:4)? Therefore, I consider others reactions before I act. When I get angry or hurt by one of my friends in the Lord, I text myself that nasty response that I want to send them. Then I ask myself how I would feel if I was the recipient of that text? (Matthew 7:12)
When I am distraught about a situation, even after considerable thought, I do not delete my text right away. (Because I really want to send it. lol.) Yet, within a few hours, I am often able to look at that text in a different light and can then delete it with a clean heart. I call that tool, "The before the sun goes down rule." (Ephesians 4:26). In other words, be angry, but sin not.
A wise woman once said, “Never reply out of anger - give yourself time to simmer then respond out of reason and logic, not emotions." Although this is not an easy rule to apply, especially when it is someone closest to you, I am a witness that it works! ~ Anonymous
Hence, because we have continuously witnessed favorable outcomes when we apply this rule to our lives, we know it works. Therefore, we also know out of the mouths of two or three witnesses, every case is established (2 Corinthians 13:1). It works!!
You have the power to do this:
Romans 5:8 says, I can forgive and love those who hurt me because He shed HIS love abroad in my heart which enables me to do so!! Hallelujah. You see, you are not doing this alone.
Therefore, if you are not getting along with others or you witness your sisters or brothers not getting along - interject peace and love which fosters unity. Pray that they hear you and do the right thing. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5: 11 that God reconciled us to himself through Christ and made us all ministers of reconciliation. As Jesus said in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” We must forgive and encourage others to forgive even as He forgave.
I am not saying people should not be held accountable for their behavior. However, I am saying do not be so quick to judge them through gossip, backbiting, and disassociating with them (this is prevalent amongst our communities). Instead, promote love, peace, and unity and if the person doesn't listen, get a witness. Matthew 18:16.
In most cases, bringing someone else into a dispute is called "snitching" or "whistleblowing," but the Bible calls it settling your disagreements. I love how Alexandra Olivier from Temple News puts it, " Not snitching reflects survival, not character." She can be reached at alexandra.olivier@temple.edu.
I leave you with this; let your attitude about settling disagreements, always remain one of reconciliation, love, peace, and not of judgment!!
May the Lord bless and keep you (Numbers 6:24) until we meet again!
If you would like to share your experiences, I can be reached via email at campgrounworkministries@gmail.com
References
Olivier, A. (2012, July 14). Not snitching reflects survival, not character. Retrieved from https://temple-news.com/not-snitching-reflects-survival-not-character/
