I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
Summary: Euodia and Syntyche suffer from a condition that afflicts all of humanity: They want to be right.
What is up with Euodia and Syntyche?
Two women who had worked side by side with the Apostle Paul are caught up in a disagreement. Whatever they are unhappy about, the news of their conflict has reached Paul, hundreds of miles away.
Perhaps, by the time Paul’s letter arrived, they had worked things out. We can hope so! But what if they hadn’t? What if, when Paul’s letter arrived, they were still standing back to back, arms folded, stern frowns on their faces, firmly resolved that they were right and the other was wrong?
How do you fix that?
The answer is: You don’t. Nobody can fix it for them. Paul is doing the only sensible thing. He is pleading with them to…
What?
…to be in the Lord.
How can we disagree if we are in the Lord?
Let’s review the situation from a general perspective. Adam and Eve sinned by putting self-interest before God’s will. They wanted what God had. After all, Satan had promised that if they ate from the forbidden tree, they would “be like God” (Genesis 3:5).
The sneaky serpent still uses that line today.
We can “be like God” and decide what is right and wrong for others.
That didn’t work out so well for Moses when he struck the rock at Meribah instead of speaking to it as God had commanded. That act of disobedience kept them from ever entering the promised land (Numbers 20:6-13).
It didn’t work out well for David, either, when he decided he could override God’s rules about adultery and have his way with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11).
And what about Euodia and Syntyche? Could there be a disagreement if they were of “the same mind in the Lord?”
I don’t think so.
So many of the things Jesus taught were about humility before the Lord (Matthew 5:1-11). The serpent whispers that the opposite is true. Instead of being “poor in spirit,” the serpent counsels us to “be proud.” Instead of being repentant (mourning), stand tall. The same is true for all the rest. Don’t be meek, don’t let people walk all over you. All the rest is “Blah, blah, blah.”
“Stand up for yourself!”
Sound familiar?
I bet Euodia and Syntyche knew the sound of those words.
Application: For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:17)
Food for Thought: How would you help Euodia and Syntyche to rediscover being “of the same mind in the Lord?”
How would you help Euodia and Syntyche to rediscover being “of the same mind in the Lord?”
Gods truths are like a multi facited jewel. We see the beauty in the jewel and sometimes get caught up in the beauty of one facet over the others, and churches have split over lack of full understanding of God’s truths. The beauty is in the jewel, not the facet.
Isiah 1:18, Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. KJV
Thank you, Ron!
I love the phrase, “The beauty is in the jewel, not the facet.”
So true!!
I think I would try and remind them that they are “on the same side.” They may differ in approach, but the reality is that they are both Children of God and should work together to accomplish His mission rather than continue to disagree on how to accomplish “the mission.” I would ask them to remember that it is His work we are doing, not our own. I would also ask them to look at the condition of their hearts, and go to the Lord in prayer and ask for discernment.
I think I would also ask them both to listen to the other to try and understand.
James 1:19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Thanks, Chris!
Yes, getting people to listen to each other is key. When people take the position that “My way is the ONLY way…” then things go sideways fast.
Good devotion and comments. I have nothing of value to add. I hope you all have a great day.
Thanks, Rich!
Blessings on your day as well!