Joy Robbers
“Agree with each other in the Lord
...rejoice in the Lord always!”
Philippians 4:2,4 (NIV)
C. S. Lewis once wrote, "Joy is the serious business of heaven." Indeed it is and the Bible has a lot to say about joy, especially in the book of Philippians. In our last Bible Bits we looked at joy and used Pastor John Piper's definition of joy: "Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he allows us to see the beauty of Christ in His Word and in His world." We also looked at some joy principles and some specific strategies for increasing our joy. But no discussion of joy would be complete without also discussing potential joy robbers, those things that diminish our joy and cause us to "churn and burn.". What are some of the everyday issues that rob us of our joy? My list includes the following:
Relational conflict
Stress
Fear
Anxiety
Worry
Pride
Selfishness and self-centeredness
Crowded schedules
Hurry
Busyness
Unconfessed sin
Circumstances
That's just my personal and partial "Joy Robbers" list. We probably could all add a few other items such as the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus; plunging stock markets; mandatory quarantines and travel bans; and a never-ending 24/7 news cycle.
The Apostle Paul closes his letter to the Church at Philippi by calling them "my joy and my crown" and "dear friends." (Philippians 4:1) Yet, with his next words Paul pleads with two women, Euodia and Syntyche, "to agree with each other in the Lord." Apparently these two women who had formerly been contenders for the Gospel were now being contentious with each other. Their conflict was causing divisions within the young church and Paul was calling them out on it. (Philippians 4:3) Paul, the great encourager, became Paul the great exhorter and insisted that the rest of the congregation help these two women settle their differences, resolve the issues, and restore the joy that comes from being "like-minded, loving, one in spirit and purpose." (Philippians 2:2)
Relational conflict is always a joy robber. Paul doesn't identify the issues that separated Euodia and Syntyche, but he sure identifies the women by name. Imagine the horror/embarrassment/shame of being publicly called out by name in front of your whole Church for causing division within the Body of Christ. Paul was willing to risk his personal relationship with these women in order to prioritize and preserve the Philippians church unity. And he called on the Philippians church leaders to do the same. Relational conflicts within the church not only rob us of personal joy, but corporate joy as well.
What about us? Is there someone in our lives with whom we need to reconcile some differences? Are we willing to work through the pain of conflict in order to preserve our unity and Christian witness? If we want to increase our joy and decrease our stress, anxiety, and relational conflict, let's settle matters quickly (Matthew 5:25) and "as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18) Rejoicing in the Lord always (Phil. 4:4) leaves no room for anger, hostility, bitterness, and division with each other.
Eyes UP! "Agree with each other in the Lord." Philippians 4:2 (NIV)