Over the years it’s easy see very clearly how the devil has inspired so much division within the Church. It’s true, wherever God is working greatly, the devil is there to resist it and ultimately halt it. Whether it be small fights over the color of the carpet or little squabbles over how to reach the community, divisions is devastating. The more believers fight one another, the less they will be doing for the Kingdom.
Galatians 5:13–15 (NKJV) “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”
The problem is not really the devil. You know that right? The problem is you! The problem is me. We have a tendency to be self-righteous and self-centered. Because we regularly fail to give preference to one another, thinking of each other more highly than our selves, we instead seek to destroy and divide.
Romans 12:10–13 (NKJV) “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”
While there appears to be a real visceral defense of ‘right doctrine’, in reality there are vicious personal attacks that lead nowhere and give the Church a black eye. A true good theology will lead a man or woman to teach the truth in love, elevating the goodness of God, leading people to a real faith in Jesus! A growing understanding of God would lead us to yield and give more than we assert and take. So much more would happen for the Kingdom. So many more would be saved. So much more love flowing.
1 Peter 4:7–9 (NKJV) “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”
Watch out for nasty division, especially within the Church. It’s destructive. It’s devastating. It’s not reflective of God’s love for us.
