在19世紀末的美國西部，尋找恐龍骨骼的過程引發了「骨骼戰爭」，兩位古生物學家為了尋找最具歷史意義的發現而展開激烈爭鬥。一位作家指出，兩人「使用卑劣手段試圖在戰場上勝過對方，訴諸賄賂、竊盜和破壞骨骼。」他注意到，兩人試圖毀掉彼此的工作，也毀了自己的名聲。

在這個破碎的世界裡，衝突與競爭是不可避免的。我們如何選擇面對這些衝突，揭示了我們內心的真實。保羅得知腓立比教會中兩位婦女之間的衝突，寫道：「我向尤奧迪亞懇求，也向辛提基求求在主裡心意一致。」他請一位信徒「幫助這些婦女，因為她們在福音的事工中與我並肩奮戰」（腓立比書4：2-3）。

當我們發現自己與其他信耶穌的人意見不合時，我們需要聖靈的幫助。當我們在心中順服祂的工作時，祂會幫助我們彰顯聖靈的果子（加拉太書5：22-23）。我們將經歷醫治與平安——如果不是為了我們自己的名聲，也為了基督和福音的名聲。

In the American West in the late 1800s, the search for dinosaur bones created the Bone Wars, in which two paleontologists battled one another in their pursuit of making the most historic find. One writer noted how the two “used underhanded methods to try to outdo the other in the field, resorting to bribery, theft, and the destruction of bones.” He noted how, in trying to ruin each other’s work, both destroyed their own reputations as well.

Conflict and competition are inevitable in our broken world. How we choose to engage those conflicts reveals what’s in our hearts. Paul learned of conflict between two women in the church at Philippi and wrote, “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.” He asked a fellow believer to “help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel” (Philippians 4:2-3).

When we find ourselves at odds with fellow believers in Jesus, we need the Spirit’s help. As we submit to His work in our hearts, He’ll help us demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We’ll experience healing and peace—if not for our own reputations, for the reputation of Christ and the gospel.