Agreeing with Your Adversary: A Counterintuitive Path to Victory
In the whirlwind of daily life, conflict is inevitable. Disagreements arise with colleagues, misunderstandings fester with family, and sometimes, full-blown adversaries emerge on the path. In these moments, Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:25 can feel counterintuitive: “Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are in the way with him.” (NIV) Russ Walden, in his “Mentoring Minute,” unpacks this challenging verse, presenting it as a key to unlocking God’s favor and a “700-fold breaker anointing.” Let’s delve deeper into this concept, exploring its biblical foundation and its practical application in our lives.
Understanding the Context: Beyond Immediate Victory
Firstly, it’s crucial to understand this verse within its broader context. Matthew 5 forms the core of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where He outlines the core principles of living in the Kingdom of God. Here, Jesus emphasizes reconciliation and peacemaking, challenging the prevailing “eye for an eye” mentality (Matthew 5:38). Agreeing with your adversary isn’t about conceding defeat or overlooking wrongs. It’s about seeking a swift resolution and prioritizing reconciliation over prolonged conflict.
Seeking Resolution: Not Surrender, But Strategic Action
Deuteronomy 28:7, referenced by Russ Walden, offers a glimpse into the potential outcome: “The Lord your God will make your enemies who rise against you stumble before you. They will come out against you one way but flee before you seven.” Is this a guarantee of immediate victory in every earthly conflict? Perhaps not. But it highlights a powerful truth: when we prioritize resolving conflict swiftly and fairly, God can intervene and bring about a more significant victory – the dismantling of the very forces working against us.
The Power of Unity: Two or More Agreeing
Further context comes from Matthew 18:19, which states, “Again I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” This verse emphasizes the power of unity in prayer. When we agree with anyone, even an adversary, during a conflict resolution process, we create a space for God’s intervention. This “agreement” isn’t about forced harmony but about a shared desire for a just and swift resolution that honors God.
The “700-Fold Breaker Anointing”: A Deeper Look
The concept of a “700-fold breaker anointing” isn’t explicitly mentioned in scripture. However, the number 700 often signifies completeness or abundance in the Bible (Genesis 7:4). Here, it could represent a powerful dismantling of the forces hindering you. When you prioritize resolving conflict with your adversary, seeking God’s guidance in the process, He can intervene in a way that brings a complete and lasting breakthrough.
Putting It into Practice: Steps Towards Reconciliation
So how do we translate this concept into practical steps? Here are some ways to approach conflict with the spirit of “agreeing with your adversary”:
- Seek First Understanding: Before seeking to be understood, actively listen to your adversary’s perspective. Try to see the situation through their eyes.
- Focus on Common Ground: Identify areas of agreement, even if minor. This helps build a foundation for trust and collaboration.
- Acknowledge Your Role: Even if you feel blameless, explore if your actions or communication might have unintentionally contributed to the conflict.
- Seek a Win-Win Solution: Look for solutions that address the needs and concerns of both parties.
- Seek Guidance in Prayer: Pray together or individually, seeking God’s wisdom and strength throughout the reconciliation process.
Remember: Resolving conflict through agreement doesn’t guarantee immediate victory or easy solutions. It takes courage, humility, and a willingness to see things from a different perspective. It’s a testament to your faith in God’s ability to intervene and bring a more significant breakthrough.
Beyond Immediate Conflict: A Broader Application
This concept extends beyond resolving immediate conflicts. It’s a call to live a life of peacemaking. When we choose forgiveness over resentment, reconciliation over conflict, we create a space for God’s blessings to flow freely in our lives.
Conclusion:
Agreeing with your adversary seems counterintuitive, but within the teachings of Jesus and the power of prayer, it becomes a path towards reconciliation, God’s intervention, and ultimately, victory. Remember, the Kingdom of God is built on love, forgiveness, and a relentless pursuit of peace. Let’s choose the path of agreement, not because it’s easy, but because it aligns with God’s will and opens the door for His greater work in our lives.
