Point to Ponder: Go for the love, not the win
Verse to Remember: “I get you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so that there won’t be splits in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” — I Corinthians 1:10 (LB)
Question to Consider: If you have a conflict with a brother or sister in Chirst, what will you do today to seek reconciliation?
[Read More] thoughts on Day 19 of Rick Warren’s 40 Days of Community.

I might paraphrase today’s admonition as “Seek to win hearts, not arguments.” I think this is a very timely lesson, both for myself and the evangelical church, especially in America. There’s not much I can add to his excellent treatment, so let me just list his main points:

* Let mercy guide your response

* Let God determine the truth

* Look for God’s presence

* Lean on the mind of Christ

* Look for the conflict’s true source

* Lay down human weapons

* Learn to use spiritual weapons

Prayer: Father, forgive me for waging war on the battlefield of minds, where the only thing that matters is intellectual pride and winning arguments. Teach me instead to wage war for the souls of men and women, where the victor saves both his opponent and himself. Please, free from my need to be right in my own eyes, and help me to act right in your eyes. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.