Christ With Coffee On Ice
Episode: but what if we don't agree?
Host: Ally Yost
Date: February 14, 2025
Episode Overview
In this emotionally honest and spiritually grounded episode, host Ally Yost explores how Christians can approach disagreement—especially on politics and social issues—with love, compassion, and the spirit of peace. Rather than focusing on any specific issue, Ally responds to a sense of divine prompting to discuss unity amid conflict, how believers can lead with Christ-like compassion, and how to have hard conversations without compromising faith or kindness. The episode is rich with scripture, practical wisdom, and encouragement for anyone navigating tension in today's world.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Responding to Disagreement in the Spirit (02:10–09:00)
- Ally shares how she felt led by God to discuss the topic of conflict and division in the country, particularly in the wake of an election and growing societal tension.
- She reflects on the challenge of following God's spirit over the cultural or calendar cues (Valentine’s Day).
- Quote [03:55]:
“It's a good thing that you don't submit to the day of the month. You submit to my spirit.” — God’s prompting, paraphrased by Ally
2. Recognizing the Need for Peace & Unity (09:00–13:00)
- Ally feels deeply moved by the repeated theme of “peace” in her prayer life, sensing Jesus’s heartbreak over national discord and the church’s failure to represent him well in disagreement.
- She stresses that freedom allows for differing views, but that unity does not require uniformity.
Quote [10:38]:
“I feel the Lord's heart in wanting unity, even through disagreements, that he wants unity even with us not agreeing with one another.” — Ally - Highlights Jesus’s example of breaking bread with those society (and religious leaders) shunned.
3. How Christians Should Handle Conflict (13:00–23:40)
- Christians are called to “look different from the world,” practicing love and blessing even when met with hostility or hate.
- Luke 6:32–36 is read, comparing baseline human decency with the radical love of God—loving enemies, lending without expecting repayment.
- Ally unpacks how this isn’t an endorsement of bad behavior, nor an instruction to see disagreement as evil, but a reminder to offer compassion.
- Quote [17:40]:
“We're supposed to look different than the world. What we do is not supposed to make sense.” — Ally - Reflects on Jesus’s prayer on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” applying the concept of compassion to those passionately, even hatefully, opposed.
4. Compassion in Every Disagreement (23:40–30:50)
- Applies these principles not just to politics, but also to disagreements in everyday relationships (family, spouses, friends).
- Points out that shouting matches never yield real understanding:
Quote [28:47]:
“I'm not sure how much productivity happens when two people are raising their voices and they're trying to one up each other... I think it gets blurrier and blurrier the louder that we get.” — Ally - Emphasizes the spiritual maturity required to accept that being understood is not always possible, nor is convincing others.
5. The Limits of Judgment—Letting God Be God (30:50–37:30)
- Reads Luke 6:37–42, focusing on not judging others harshly; instead, self-examination and humility.
- Compassion does not mean excusing harmful behaviors, nor does it mean mandatory friendship with everyone, but discernment and the Spirit’s guidance are essential.
- Quote [35:20]:
“You don't have to agree with somebody while also not judging them. And I really believe that the only way we can do that, y'all, is accessing the Spirit of God.” — Ally
6. Scriptural Foundation for Radical Love (37:30–53:22)
- Galatians 5:14, Matthew 5:43–48—Love your neighbor as yourself, and love your enemies.
- Allys challenges listeners to remember that every person, even those we most disagree with, was made in God’s image and is loved by Him.
- Recommends practical empathy: visualize someone you oppose, realize Jesus died for them.
- Quote [41:20]:
“You can love someone you don't like when you remember they are someone God loves and Jesus died for.” — Ally - Discusses the pitfalls and opportunities of social media in escalating or healing division.
7. Peacemaking as Spiritual Leadership (53:22–01:01:30)
- Cites Romans 12:18 (live at peace with everyone, as far as it depends on you); suggests finding common ground as a starting point for dialogue.
- Encourages honoring others’ intentions even when disagreeing, and models asking deeper questions rather than shutting down (“Help me understand how…”).
- Quote [58:55]:
“It is possible to disagree with someone without disrespecting or dishonoring them.” — Ally
8. The Example of Jesus (01:01:30–01:10:00)
- Highlights how Jesus, despite being radically honest, never disowned or disrespected those who disagreed or even betrayed him (e.g., Judas, Saul/Paul, the Good Samaritan).
- Jesus’s approach was never passive—he flipped tables and spoke hard truths—but always from love and with redemptive purpose.
9. Conflict Resolution According to Scripture (01:10:00–end)
- Summarizes practical advice collected from askaboutmyfaith.com on resolving conflict:
- Be quick to listen, slow to anger (James 1:19)
- Respond gently to diffuse wrath (Proverbs 15:1)
- Look to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4)
- Prayerfully seek God’s wisdom in each situation
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “So, as the church, how do we represent that well?… If we’re dishing out what the world is dishing to us… I just don’t believe that we’re walking in our true potential with God.”
— Ally (16:18) - “There are ways to speak the truth without entertaining a spirit of conflict and anger… There is a way to do that.”
— Ally (28:05) - “It's not our job to convince anyone of the truth. I believe it's just our job to speak the truth.”
— Ally (31:20) - “The only place we can truly get [compassion and love for others] from is God.”
— Ally (01:13:12) - “They will know that you are my disciples by the way you love one another.”
— Jesus, referenced by Ally as the guiding mark of authentic Christian witness (01:15:20)
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 00:00–02:10 | Welcome, Valentine's Day, Host’s Personal Prep
- 02:10–09:00 | Listening to God’s Leading for This Topic
- 09:00–13:00 | Disunity in the Country & the Church
- 13:00–23:40 | The Call to Radical Compassion and Non-Judgment
- 23:40–30:50 | Bringing It Home: Disagreement in Close Relationships
- 30:50–37:30 | Judging Others and Relying on God’s Wisdom
- 37:30–53:22 | Key Scriptures on ‘Love Your Neighbor/Enemy’; Practical Empathy
- 53:22–01:01:30 | Peacemaking & Productive Dialogue Techniques
- 01:01:30–01:10:00 | The Example of Jesus in Handling Disagreement
- 01:10:00–end | Scriptural Advice for Conflict Resolution & Blessing the Listener
Episode Tone & Takeaway
Warm and earnest, Ally’s approach is encouraging, humble, and spiritually grounded. She models vulnerability and self-reflection, offering both biblical wisdom and practical approaches for embodying Christ’s love amid disagreement. Rather than providing pat answers, she challenges listeners to “look different” by living out compassion, keeping open dialogue, practicing peace, and always seeking God’s spirit for wisdom in every encounter.
Final Challenge [01:16:30]:
“Can we show somebody how cool Jesus is by extending a little extra compassion, a little extra love, being quicker to listen and to try to understand where people are coming from? I think that's how we can show somebody how cool Jesus is today.” — Ally
Summary prepared for listeners seeking depth, scriptural anchoring, and practical encouragement to live out Christ’s call for peacemaking in a divided world.