230 Philippians: The Porcupine Dilemma

The church at Philippi faced a problem that believers have faced down through the years. How do you pursue the dream of extending God’s Kingdom when you have to do it with actual, real-life people – people who can so easily rub you the wrong way?

Like porcupines, we can be prickly and cause a lot of hurt and harm to others. That’s why porcupines are solitary creatures. They live alone…until it’s time for mating. 

This is the porcupine’s dilemma: How do you get close enough to multiply without getting hurt? 

In nature, porcupines have found a way to avoid the quills and come together in a unique mating dance. All for the sake of reproducing their kind. 

Friends, we face the same dilemma. We struggle to relate to those who rub us the wrong way.  And we’re tempted to either withdraw or lash out.  But if we could see that there’s something bigger at play – the multiplication of disciples – perhaps we could learn to do an awkward dance with one another.

This is what Paul is calling two women to do in this text. Their names are Eudia and Syntyche and Paul pleads with them to get along. These women are leaders in the Philippian church but their break down is so severe, so costly to the community, that Paul calls them out. 

He then asks someone he calls “loyal yokefellow” to intercede. When believers break down, it’s the responsibility of those who know and love them to help them reconcile.

Let’s look at how Paul handles this situation and see what we can learn about handling breakdowns.

1.     Paul doesn’t take sides.

Most likely this was not an issue of right and wrong, but rather an intense differing of opinions. So, Paul doesn’t side with either one. 

2.     Paul doesn’t say that their strong opinions weren’t justified. 

His apparent neutrality probably tells us that he thought both women had legitimate points of view. 

When it comes to the work of the Kingdom, we can be gripped by a “beautiful anger,” a powerful passion for a cause. And that’s great! What’s not great is to condemn others for not sharing it or to say that their passion is unworthy. 

3.     Paul doesn’t say they have to be friends.

Reconciliation doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be best friends. There will be people you just don’t resonate with, and that’s okay. 

However… 

4.     Paul does challenge them that their breakdown is costing the community.

Even the most faithful, mature, and committed people can become so passionate about their points of view that they can poison the very thing they love. 

5.     Paul does ask them to be open to mediation.

Remember that this letter would have been read aloud to this church body. These women would have heard Paul’s request to “get help. Do whatever it takes to resolve this.” 

Follow the pattern Jesus gave us in Matthew 18. When you break down with someone, go to them – just the two of you. If that doesn’t work, get help. Bring in a mediator. 

6.     Paul does call them to remember what they do share together and let that unite them.

These ladies had “contended by his side” (v. 3). They had labored together in this Kingdom mission. And Paul reminds them…and us… that what unites us is greater than what divides us.

Text: Philippians 4:2-3

Originally recorded on January 4, 2009, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN