WEEK FIVE
Day Two
DAILY SCRIPTURE
Philippians 3:15
LEADER GUIDE QUESTIONS
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Know: Read Philippians 3:15-16
Note: Read slowly, carefully marking keywords.
mature, same mind
Observation:
What is a mark of maturity listed in this passage?
What: In what way have you fretted over another’s lack of maturity? How did Paul show us to respond?
“Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to [the degree] that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.” Philippians 3:15-16
“So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires, God will reveal it to them. And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion.” (The Message)
Paul says something very important in this passage: “As many as are mature, have this mind.” Paul then mentions that God will make it clear to them if someone is missing something.
Maturity is developed as one learns to tune their ear into God’s voice and respond as He speaks. As a mature Christian, you have learned that there is no need to fret when another Christian behaves a certain way that is not godly or does not see or think in a way that aligns with the Kingdom of God. God will reveal it to them as they learn to listen.
This often is more intensely felt within a marriage. Perhaps you received a revelation from God that changed your perspective. You may feel a greater level of freedom and wish for your spouse to receive the same so you can mature together. However, they have not pressed in like you had. Perhaps their blindness to their need for freedom keeps them stagnant; they do not see it- but you do. What do you do?
Paul just told us what to do- trust that God will show them when they are ready to get it. Pray that God will reveal His goodness to them and that their minds will change to receive His goodness. One of the things I have learned to do when my husband, children/friends, or church do not understand something God has revealed to me. I bless them and then declare God’s truth into their ‘inner man.’ Sometimes, it looks like taking authority of any spiritual blindness the enemy has put over their eyes. I use my authority to command that it go.
In our culture today, we can see what happens when we don’t all have the same mind and do not walk in this maturity Paul speaks of. Social media is the most telling place that this is displayed. An immature or disgruntled person posts an offense with the church or with a doctrine, and they will air their opinion in the spirit of “sharing their view.” We can all attest to the reaction that will ensue. Their maturity, or lack thereof, is displayed for all to digest as responses are given. I have learned to hold my tongue- let the immaturity be displayed and let God speak to that person instead of trying to correct them myself. Correction only works if they come to you for wisdom when they hit a roadblock and are ready to receive.
Recently, I had a lady who had been attending services for a few weeks come to me and confess that she had been offended by God several years ago and had stopped attending church. She came to church for another few weeks and then felt like she needed to confess another ‘sin.’ The sin of judgment- against me. She said she had been coming but building resentment against me simply because I was too happy. She said a pastor's wife and one who does as much as I should never laugh or look as happy as I. It was offensive to her that I laughed and smiled- but she realized she was wrong and had been learning to judge less.
I took the first part as a compliment because I was happy! The second part is what I scratched my head over. I have never once taught a believer to confess sin and air their offenses. I taught the opposite- to confess Christ and who we are in Him! So, I think perhaps she wasn’t listening. It was okay, though, because if she genuinely listened to God, the fruit would be on full display- joy would begin to develop in this woman as she listened to Him, and she certainly would stop judging others as she matured.
As we grow up in Christ, take what you have learned and live it without expecting others to change automatically. Celebrate the Christ in you and speak the value Christ put on others out loud- directly to the person so they might receive grace as they begin to believe it.