“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited” Romans 12:16

The focus for this devotion came to me during a time of interpersonal conflict in the church. It was a frustrating time, people were niggling over trivia and some decided to leave the church as a result. I was unsure about how to address the matter so I turned to God in prayer and asked Him to help me get the congregation tracking with Him as they should.

Even though the problem was among members of the congregation God began by speaking into my heart and getting me straightened up with Him. As I was reading through Romans in the Good News Bible a number of verses “jumped out” of the text and pierced my heart. I heard God saying: “Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud …” Romans 12:16. “Try to do what everyone considers to be good” Romans 12:17. “Do not let what you regard as good to get a bad name” Romans 14:16. “Accept one another, then, for the glory of God, as Christ has accepted you” Romans 15:7. “Always aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another” Romans 14:19.

God used these texts to turn on the light. The reason we have divisions and upset is because of selfishness (cf. James 4:1). Conflict occurs when our relationships become something that’s all about us and no longer about Him. So in order to pull together when we’re pulled apart our focus has to change. We’ve got to stop looking out for ourselves and start looking out for one another.

Here are some “one another” texts the Holy Spirit can use to restore or strengthen your relationships:

“As I have loved you, so you must love one another” John 13:34.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love” Romans 12:10.

“Honour one another above yourselves” Romans 12:10.

“Live in harmony with one another” Romans 12:16.

“Stop passing judgment on one another” Romans 14:13.

Always aim at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another” Romans 14:19 GNB.

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you . . .” Romans 15:7.

“Serve one another in love” Galatians 5:13.

“Carry each others burdens” Galatians 6:2.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” Ephesians 4:32.

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” Ephesians 5:21.

“In humility consider others better than yourselves” Philippians 2:3.

“Do not lie to each other” Colossians 3:9.

“Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” Colossians 3:16.

“Encourage one other and build each other up” 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

“Live in peace with each other” 1 Thessalonians 5:13.

“Spur one another on toward love and good deeds” Hebrews 10:24.

“Do not slander one another” James 4:11.

“Don’t grumble against each other” James 5:9.

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” James 5:16.