Be Likeminded
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Philippians 2.
“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2).
In Philippians 2 Paul talks to the church of Philippi about being like-minded. What does it mean to be like-minded?
Some of the phrases that might be the same as to be like-minded are:
- Be in unison
- Be in harmony
- Be compatible
- Be of one mind
- Be in one accord
- Be in agreement with one another
- Have a singleness of mind and purpose
- Be joined together
- Have a singleness of heart
- Be one in spirit and mind
- Share the same feelings
- Be on the same wave length
- Focus on the same goal
- Unite in spirit
- Be intent on one purpose
In this Scripture Paul explains to the people how important it is for them to be united as one body in Christ. He reminds them of the humility of Jesus, who took on the body of a man and was crucified on the cross for our sins. He encourages them to let the mind of Christ be in them.
He tells them to do all things without grumbling and arguing so that we might be lights in the midst of this dark and perverse world. If we don’t shine our lights in the darkness, who will?
Jesus reminded us of this in Matthew 5:16 when He said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
The enemy will do everything he can to try to destroy the body of Christ by trying to divide and conquer us. He will to ruin our testimony by having us bicker and argue or disagree. He will use anything he can to get our minds and focus off of what we should be doing and cause division among believers. He knows he can discourage us by causing us to have disagreements with one another.
I don’t like arguing and fussing with people. There are some subjects that are best left alone. Some things can be a touchy subject for a lot of people, especially religion and politics. I don’t try to force my opinion about either one on other people.
Even though I write and teach about the Bible, I know not everybody is going to agree wholeheartedly with me. I realize that some things are personal and everybody has to make their own decisions about them. I can tell them what I believe and what the Bible says, but in the end it is up to them to decide what they want to believe.
We all have our own opinions about some things and everybody is entitled to their opinion. Why can’t we agree to disagree with one another? We should not feel intimidated by other people because we happen not to agree with them. But, some people will try to make you feel ignorant if you don’t agree with them, like their opinion is the only one that matters.
Even God, when He created us gave us a free will, the right to make our own choices. Some people try to cause division. We especially need to be on guard against this in the church and even in our own families. The enemy will take the smallest things and blow them out of proportion in order to cause strife and division among us.
If I have questions about certain things I try to discuss it or talk it over with my husband or daughters in private. I know that even if we disagree they won’t stop loving me because we have a different opinion. The best thing we can do, as believers, is pray and ask God to show us the right thing to do.
Jesus warned us in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Do we want to live, as believers, letting the enemy rob us of our joy, peace, and unity with one another, or do we want to live the abundant life that Jesus died to give us? Let’s strive to be like-minded and live in one accord with one another. After all, if we are basing our opinions on the Bible we should all be of the same mind.
Daily Bible Reading:
Philippians 2:1-16
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Things to think about:
- How does this Scripture say that we, as believers, should treat one another?
- What does it mean to be like-minded?
- What does it mean to be in one accord?
- How should we act?
- After reading this Scripture, is there any area you need to repent of or ask God for help?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this Scripture where Paul reminds us to be likeminded and live in one accord with one another. Help us to strive to do so. Forgive us of the times that we have not been in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Help us not to let little things cause division among us and keep us from doing what we are supposed to be doing for You. Forgive us, LORD and help us to be what You would have us to be. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Bible Verse for Journaling of Memorization:
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
– Philippians 2:2
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Featured Book:
The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi
by Deborah H. Bateman
About the Book:
The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi is a Daily Bible Reading study of the book of Philippians by Deborah H. Bateman. The book of Philippians is from the New Testament of the Bible and is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters. In the book of Philippians Paul encourages the saints at Philippi to be strong in their faith, to stand fast in the Lord, and to be content in Christ.
Paul loved the Philippians and it shows in his writing to them. Paul knew that they loved him as well. The Philippians showed their love for Paul by supporting his ministry.
Paul would never forget the Philippians because of the way they cared for him when he ministered to them. They would always have a special place in his heart.
Paul wanted the best for the Philippians. He wanted to make sure they never let anybody steer them in the wrong direction. He wanted them to stay on course and do the things he had taught them whether he was with them or not.
The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi contains ten Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, several questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer for the day to go along with the lesson. This is a great Bible study for individual daily devotions or for a group Bible study.
For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.
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Deborah
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