Same-mindedness

The practice of biblical same-mindedness is based on passages of Scripture such as Philippians 4:2, where the Apostle Paul exhorted Euodia and Syntyche "to agree with each other in the Lord." The original word translated "agree" refers to same-mindedness.

There are three quick observations to make about the same-mindedness Paul mentions. First, it involves much more than simple agreement. Same-mindedness refers to understanding and then embracing the thinking of another person. It refers to the blending of your perspectives with theirs. This is obviously a much more profound type of agreement.

Secondly, the practice of same-mindedness is something Paul commands. Therefore, it cannot be ignored or optioned away.

Finally, the type of same-mindedness Paul commands is not without constraints. It is limited to "in the Lord." In other words, no one is obligated to embrace the thinking of another if that thinking is contrary to God's Word. Though this restriction is of paramount importance, it still leaves a large of field of play for the practice of same-mindedness in conflict situations.

In "Where Do We Go From Here?", I explain biblical same-mindedness in much more detail; but more importantly, I outline a clear path to putting biblical same-mindedness in practice. In addition to the book, items will be included in the blog on a regular basis to promote further understanding and practice of Paul's exhortation "to agree with each other in the Lord."

Application Questions:
1. Think of a conflict you've experienced recently. Which of the ideas or plans advocated by the other party in the conflict would you characterize as "in the Lord"? Which ones would you characterize as not "in the Lord"?
2. How might the conflict have turned out differently if there had been a mutual embracing of each other's in-the-Lord ideas and plans?