No Yellow Flags!

Daily Reading: Philippians 4

Scripture Focus: Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. (Philippians 4.5a)

Devotional Thought: "It's always the second guy that gets caught." I find myself repeating that maxim as I watch football. A guy takes a cheap shot out of bounds and retaliates by throwing a punch. The ref didn't see the cheap shot, but did see the punch and throws the yellow flag. "Unsportsmanlike conduct. 15 yard penalty!"

When we feel wronged, it is often difficult to hold back our passions. We want to respond and settle the score. That only makes things worse.

Paul found himself dealing with two influential people in Philippi who were embroiled in some sort of disagreement. The argument must have been a pretty public affair, for Paul wrote in his letter to the church, "I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord" (v. 2). He reminded them and all of the Philippians that they needed to get past their differences and come together in the Lord. We are not told what the disagreement is about, but we do know that Paul did not consider it worth taking sides over! Paul - not so subtly - told them: Get over it! "Let your reasonableness be known to everyone."

The word translated reasonableness there can also be translated "moderation" or "gentleness." When we disagree with our brothers and sisters, we need to remember this. We should not escalate the fight, but we should respond with moderation and gentleness.

Let's make sure that no yellow flags are needed when we find ourselves disagreeing in the church. Instead, let our reasonableness be known to everyone.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be like you - for "when you were reviled you did not revile in return." May I respond with gentleness and reasonableness. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 11 The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: "One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne. 12 If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them, their sons also forever shall sit on your throne." (Psalms 132:11-12)