Accord

~Friday for Friends~ 

Continuing the Friday for Friends post series, we have the word “accord”. In its noun meanings it means “harmony; agreement”. (Webster's dictionary, 1993)

We all love harmony and agreement. We wish we always had both. 

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16 (NIV) [a]Or willing to do menial work

But that’s not always what happens. Harmony sometimes seems to be unrealistically far. We all have our own opinions and often they don’t match with someone else’s. So what do we do?

Step #1: Realize that not all great minds think alike on each and every subject.

This is pretty basic, but it’s important. You can agree on almost every subject with someone, but there will always be “I-don’t-agree”s along the way. It’s respectful to honor the differences, unless they are just wrong (like against the Bible).

Step #2: Ignore it if it’s really not important.

If the disagreement is about whether pizza or mac and cheese are the best foods ever, it’s really not that important.

Step #3: Talk it over.

There’s not always common ground, but if there is, why not discuss it? And sometimes agreeing to disagree is OK too, I think. Talk it over. Getting to know each other’s full stories might be more insightful than you think.

Step #4: Confront (or be confronted). 

Sometimes what the other person is saying is against the Bible. If he/she is a Christian, do confront him/her. 

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1 (NIV)

Step #5: ALWAYS PRAY.

Pray through the whole ordeal. God knows what you are going through.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:5 (NIV)

How about you? Do you have any ideas on how to live in harmony?