Words --- Be of the same mind.

For a Christian, what does it mean to be of the same mind?  Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:15 that "we have the mind of Christ."  But what does it mean to have the mind of Christ?  If we look at the context surrounding those scriptures which say, "be of the same mind," we get a good idea what it means to have the mind of Christ.  And if we are all striving to achieve this kind of life, then we will all "be of the same mind" of Christ.

In Romans chapter 12 (:9ff) the context around being of the same mind tells us:
To let  love be without hypocrisy;
To abhor what is evil;
To cling to what is good;
To be devoted to one another in brotherly love;
To give preference to one another in honor;
To not lag behind in diligence;
To be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
To rejoice in hope;
To persevere in tribulation;
To be devoted to prayer;
To contribute to the needs of the saints;
To practice hospitality;
To bless those who persecute you, to bless and do not curse;
To Rejoice with those who rejoice;
To weep with those who weep;
To not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly;
To not be wise in your own estimation;
To never pay back evil for evil to anyone;
To respect what is right in the sight of all men.
To be at peace with all men.

So when it says to "be of the same mind toward one another," it has already shown us how we should be acting toward each other.

In Romans chapter 15 (:1ff), the context around being of the same mind tells us:
For those who are strong to bear the weaknesses of those without strength;
To not just please ourselves, but for each of us to please his neighbor for his good;
To edify our neighbor;
To, with one accord and one voice, glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ;
To accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

So when Paul prays that the God who gives us perseverance and encouragement
may grant us to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
the "one mind" he is referring to, does not mean that everyone thinks the same thing,
but that everyone, by the power of Jesus, may have the same love for everyone else.

In 2 Corinthians chapter 13 (:11ff) the context around "be of the same mind" tells us:
To be perfected;
To be comforted;
To live in peace;
To salute one another with a holy kiss.
ASV

In Philippians chapter 2 (:2ff) the context around "be of the same mind" tells us:
To maintain the same love;
To be united in spirit;
To be intent on one purpose;
To do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit;
To have humility of mind;
To regard one another as more important than ourselves;
To also look out for the interests of others;
To have Christ Jesus's attitude in ourselves;
To take up the role of a servant;
To humble ourselves and become obedient to the point of death;
NASU

These things, also, are obviously what it means to have the mind of Christ.

In Romans chapter 14, being of the same mind does not mean that everyone understands everything exactly alike.  Paul writes, "The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. . . .  each one of us will give an account of himself to God.  . . .  do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. . . . So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. . . . The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God."

Paul is not talking about mere opinions which people may take or leave without touching the core of their beliefs.  Paul did not say, "the opinions you have, have as your own ... "  He is talking about faith, those beliefs that this is what you need to do to be right before God.  "The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God."  Paul does not say that we all must believe everything alike and understand everything the same way.  He says that we must not judge, or condemn, each other for these differences in belief.

Having the mind of Christ, being of the same mind, saying the same things --- these things can only happen when we concentrate the sharing of our faith on those things which we all have in common; When we stick to preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, as the Bible teaches it, then we will be speaking the same things.

In Philippians chapter 4 (:1ff) living in harmony means:
To stand firm in the Lord, in this way:
To live in harmony in the Lord;
To help other people to live in harmony;
To rejoice in the Lord always;
To let your gentle spirit be known to all men;
To be anxious for nothing;
To let our requests be known to God with thanksgiving, in prayer;
To let the peace of God guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.
To dwell or meditate on the following things:
   Whatever is true,
   Whatever is honorable,
   Whatever is right,
   Whatever is pure,
   Whatever is lovely,
   Whatever is of good repute,
   Whatever is excellent,
   Whatever is worthy of praise;
To practice these [good] things which we have learned, and received, and heard;
To come to know that the God of peace lives within us.
NASU

In 1 Peter 3 (:8ff) being harmonious means:
To be harmonious;
To be sympathetic;
To show brotherly love;
To be kindhearted;
To be humble in spirit;
To not return evil for evil or insult for insult;
To give a blessing instead;
To keep our tongue from evil;
To keep our lips from speaking deceit;
To turn away from evil;
To do good;
To seek peace and pursue it;
NASU