In our nightly “Winding Down with the Word” blogs, we have been emphasizing our relationship with one another in Christ by examining passages that teach us how to treat each other.  Let’s continue.

Romans 12:16 (ESV)
¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Very few things are more important to a local church than being at peace. Friction and hostilities among brethren can quickly cause a local church to become ineffective and tear down its members, putting the souls of some at risk.   On the other hand, a congregation that is full of love and made up of members who live in harmony can do much good for the overall cause of Christ and help its members to be spiritually strong in the Lord.  We should all, therefore, share the same mindset, desiring peace for the local church and doing all we can to achieve it (Romans 12:18).

In Romans 12:16, Paul mentions two things we must avoid if peace and harmony are to exist in the local church. First, we must not be haughty. Being haughty is having an attitude of superiority toward others, driven by extreme pride. In Christ, we must recognize that we are all equal and treat each other accordingly. When we let pride interfere, it can lead to mistreating brethren, refusing to forgive others, or denying wrongdoing when we are guilty. You can see how these actions would damage a local church. There is no doubt that having a haughty spirit is a barrier to members living in harmony, and even worse, it is something that God hates (Proverbs 6:17).

Another factor that hinders harmony, closely linked to haughtiness, is being wise in our own eyes. How does this block harmony? For harmony to occur, there must be a sharing of thoughts and ideas, which comes from recognizing that someone else might have a better way of doing things or simply know more than we do in a certain area.   This is one of the strengths of a local church.  It is filled with people who have different talents and abilities that together make God’s people stronger.  If I think that I am wiser than everyone else, and that I am always right, it will prevent me from listening to anyone else, and very likely lead to others having hostility toward me.   This, again, will be a roadblock to harmony.

The truth is that problems always arise between brethren in local churches because the church is composed of imperfect people.  If we are to live in harmony with one another, we must do the right things when this occurs.  Fortunately, the Bible teaches us what those right things are.  First, if we sin against a brother or sister, we must go to them directly and make it right.

Matthew 5:22-24 (ESV)
²² But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. ²³ So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there before the altar and go. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Second, if we are sinned against by a brother or sister, we must lovingly confront them in an attempt to get them to repent.

Matthew 18:15 (ESV)
¹⁵“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

This is the biblical way to preserve peace, and God’s way is always best.  Let’s do our best to live in harmony, and always remember the words of Abraham:

Genesis 13:8 (KJV)
⁸ And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.   

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.