We just finished studying Revelation and the consensus was the same: “We believe that Jesus is coming soon!” The signs are lining up. The world is getting crazier by the day. And wickedness and deception has reached an all-time high. Jesus said these things would be prevalent the closer we get to the Bridegroom coming for His Bride. Evil, corruption, misleading information, false teaching, and hate are normal in our modern world.

But there’s something else that has washed through our land like a tidal wave: division. We’ve experienced division in our lifetime, but never to the extent that it’s happening now. In fact, it has invaded so many areas: the world, our country, families and relationships. Some of us are truly sad because we’ve lost lifelong friends and family members because people cannot see beyond their differences, their opinions, and their views.

Division has also slammed hard into the Church. I try to refrain from commenting on political posts because without fail, I get attacked. And oftentimes viciously. But last week I commented on a post from a Facebook friend who asked a biblical question. I felt I could offer an educated response. And then it happened… I was attacked with nasty words and name calling simply because someone disagreed with me. I had to give it over to God and move on. But sometimes that’s just hard.

Here’s the thing… division DOES NOT accomplish anything and it surely snuffs out a light that once shown bright for the kingdom of God. It diminishes our witness. People may think: “If that’s what being a Christian is about, then I want nothing to do with it.” The apostle Paul addressed this very issue with the church at Corinth because division in their congregation was causing jealousy and quarreling (1 Corinthians 3:3).

God must surely weep at the great divide in the Church right now. Nothing good comes from division. In fact, the apostle Paul boldly said to the church at Corinth, “Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather be of one mind, united in thought and purpose” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

So, is it possible to close up this division? Absolutely! But, it has to start with us working hard and following biblical principles. Here are five ways we can do this…

1. Walk by the Spirit, and not the flesh!
Galatians 5:16: So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

God’s righteous decrees almost always goes against our human nature. It’s easy to put our views and our opinions above God’s ways, but those things often come from our flesh and almost always divide. Acting from our fleshly nature leads to hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, and division (Galatians 5:20).

Keep in mind the famous words United we stand, divided we fall. Let’s pray before we speak. Let’s go to God’s Word before we spread our opinions. Let’s put people and relationships above everything else. Let’s be strong ambassadors for the kingdom of God.

2. Love deeply!
John 13:34: So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

I can’t think of a deeper love than this right here. Jesus valued people, even those who were different than Him. Jesus loved His betrayer, Judas, as much as He loved the others. He listened, met their needs, and treated them with respect. He showed people how valuable they were.

Let’s study how Jesus loved and follow His example.

3. Stop judging!
Matthew 7:1: Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.

In this sermon from Matthew 7, Jesus goes on to say, “Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye” (Matthew 7:3-4)?

This is such wise advice that we should adhere to. When you disagree with someone and your differing views rise to the surface, think about what your faults are before you pass judgement onto them.

We all come from different walks of life and we don’t know a person’s background. The bondages that keep some chained up may be different than yours. But everyone has chains that need to be broken. It’s much better if we look inward and upward before looking outward.

4. Agree to Disagree!
Romans 14:1: Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 

There was a day when we could be close friends with people even though we differed on some topics. Well, that day has seemed to have taken a back seat. Not too long ago, I was viciously attacked by a couple lifelong friends. We had been on opposite sides in some areas and we knew it. But apparently, they don’t think we can agree to disagree any more. So, I had to step away. Hopefully, this is only for a short time and we will come back together again.

You may be in the same boat, my friend. Arguing doesn’t solve any problem – it only leaves people hurt, wounded and bewildered. Arguing divides. Arguing with people can hinder spiritual growth, rather than grow it.

It is possible to be unified, yet disagree on some things. So, let’s put those arguments aside for the greater good and let God reign in our thoughts, words, actions, and behavior.

5. Pray for your opponents!
Matthew 5:44: But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

Obviously, this goes against everything inside us. A natural response when we’re attacked or encounter difficult people is to speak our mind and not back down. However, words spoken from the hurt and pain are usually never good. And these kinds of word divide rather than unite.

But pray for them instead? Isn’t this is a sign of weakness? Not at all. Prayer heals. Prayer cuts to the heart of people. Prayer moves the hand of God. That’s why we are told to pray.

In conclusion, we should work toward unity in every area of our lives. Satan is alive and moving at a fast pace, especially since he knows his days are limited. Just remember that Satan divides, but Jesus unites.

Please pass this message on to others.

Blessings,