In fairy tales and folktales, it is often easy to see who the bad guy is. In movies and drawings, the devil is portrayed as a red guy in tights with horns and a pitchfork, very easy to discern. But unfortunately in real life, he is not so easy to see. Today, one of the devil’s many disguises is division.
It’s no secret that this country is becoming more divided by the day. A reminder of the division is on every news channel, on many social media posts, in family arguments, and even in the church. We can not view division as simply one side wants one thing and the other side wants another; it is so much deeper and so much darker than that.
One of the major themes of the Bible is unity.
Psalm 133:1 says, “ How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!”
2 Corinthians 13:11 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
2 Colossians 3:14 says, “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
It is very clear that God created us to live in unity with one another; which is why the enemy is hell-bent on dividing us one by one. If it is not our race that separates us, it is our political views, if it is not that, then it is our stance towards the vaccine, and so on and so forth. It constantly keeps building and shifting to create division within the hearts of many Christians and non-Christians.
“1 Peter 5:8, says, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
The enemy is not for you, however, he is for your pride, he is for your malice, he is for your apathy, but he is not your friend even though he may disguise himself as one. That is why the Bible instructs us to stay alert and watch out for him because he will try to devour any unity that remains. How do you know if the devil is in your home? Look for division. How do you know if the devil is in your heart? Look for division. How do you know he’s in your marriage? Look for division. the enemy can influence anybody.
So what can we do?
Stop being a part of the problem.
Instead of arguing and challenging people who disagree with you constantly, listen with love and empathy. We all come from different walks of life with unique experiences that shape us into who we are and what decisions we make. We can never truly understand the life of someone else, but God does. He is the one who is all-wise and all-knowing; we are not.
Do not condemn.
Since we are not God, then it is not our job to condemn anyone. It is our job to speak the truth with love into other people’s lives. You will never hate someone to Jesus. You will never argue someone’s way into heaven. You will never bully someone to the cross. The Holy Spirit is the one to convicts, we are the one who plants a seed.
While the division is created by the enemy and carried out by the people, unity comes from God and is also carried out by the people. We can choose to go either way, but that responsibility is ours. The way we act, the language we use, the attitude we have matters to the kingdom. Every day we are faced with choices; we can choose to encourage division and continue to justify that sin in our minds or we can repent for what we have done and strive for unity.
Remember that when the time comes and you stand before God, it will be just you and him. Your FB friends will not be on one side and your church family will not be on the other. Will you be able to say you helped create unity in this one life we are given? The things of this world grow strangely dim when you think about it from a heavenly perspective.
The Bible takes division extremely seriously in Titus 3:10-11 scripture says, “If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.”
Your heart will become divided as you divide those around you. That is why your soul is restless, that is why you’re constantly seeking validation from everyone. But Jesus redeems us every day and you can come back from whatever damage you have caused. Jesus is so much greater than your sin and he is so much stronger than the enemy.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full, in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace”
Turn your eyes upon Jesus by Helen Howarth Lemmel
