I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. (Philippians 4:2)
We’ve all faced relational conflicts—whether as a toddler scrapping over toys, as a teenager feeling left out, or as an adult butting heads with coworkers and family members. But Paul offers us a different way to respond than we may have in the past. And as God is teaching me, resolving conflict is more about doing what is right over proving who is right.
In this letter, Paul addresses a disagreement between two gospel stellar women in the church. Their dispute must have been pretty intense, because everyone already knew about it, and that’s why Paul publicly addressed it. We learn that even the most savage leaders for Christ encounter conflict from time to time.
Modeling like our gentle Savior Jesus, instead of flexing his authority, Paul pleads with these two people to fight for peace.
So how do we pursue peace where there’s tension?
This past Sunday, Pastor Christian emphasized the importance of responding with gentleness rather than harshness. Paul echoes this in Galatians 6:1, stating “Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.”
When someone wrongs me, my instinct is to barge in the place with guns blazing. My naturally want to play judge and show them how guilty they are. But God calls me to approach the person with a “gentle spirit.” This requires spending time in God’s presence through prayer, considering my own motives, meditating on my Savior’s daily forgiveness to me, and getting my heart to want peace more than judgment.
If you’re feeling emotionally charged, Galatians 6:1 states that you are disqualified from having that conversation, until you’ve calmed down. Only after spending time in prayer and ensuring your heart and conscience are aligned with the Holy Spirit’s peace should you engage. This way, you can act as a peacemaker rather than a prosecutor, which will yield better results. James 3:18 affirms this stating, “…and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.”
So through laboring in prayer, asking God for his grace to change your heart, fight for peace. This is the way of Jesus, and his ways always leads to our happiness.