And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. (Mark 3:25 KJV).
Abraham Lincoln, on June 16th, 1858, said of America during the civil war between the north and the south, “’A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ … this government cannot endure permanently, half slave and half free.”
Memory of that quote was evoked just recently as I watched the movie, Robin Hood. In it the king of France decided to seize an opportunity to attack England during a time of civil unrest. The French monarch noted that the English were at odds with each other, and that they (the French) could conquer a divided people. He went on to point out that the enemy waits for division, and it struck me that often the enemy creates division. For you see, the disunion among the English countrymen was caused by an impostor: a Frenchman posing as an Englishman so as to become friends with England’s monarch and thereby cause internal conflict.
That strategy worked so well because seeds of discord (Proverbs 6:19) are easily sown in a familiar field. That is to say it is easy for an insider to cause trouble or tension among people who are trusting of each other. Recall that it was Judah, brother to Joseph, who provoked the animosity and contention that resulted in Joseph’s siblings placing him in a pit and leaving him to die (Gen 37). Likewise, it was Judas, one of the disciples who betrayed Jesus and attempted to destroy the fellowship among the disciples (John 13).
The fact is that no union, organization or ministry can maintain if there is constant friction within the infrastructure. That is why the apostle Paul so strongly spoke against the immaturity that generated disconnect and discord among the Corinthians as they made choices about which leaders they would or would not follow. He said to them, "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men (women)? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos, are ye not carnal?"
(1 Corinthians 3:3-4).
Clearly, immaturity gives way to disunity and disunity gives way to opportunistic forces, but in all fairness, it can be very difficult to detect trouble making wolves in sheep’s clothing. For that reason we must pray for discernment and ask God to grant us keen insight and good judgment that we might be able to judge each tree by the fruit it bears. Pray for wisdom to see the plot and maneuvers of the enemy. Your house, your family, your marriage and church are depending on it. Don't give the devil or anyone who is working for the devil a chance to divide your house. If you will pardon the oxymoron, you must fight for unity with people you love, live with and worship with. Never let the sun go down on your anger, and quickly ask for and offer forgiveness. In God, you have the power and strength to keep your house unified and intact.
Prayer
Lord as you prayed that we would be one (John 17) I pray and strive for unity. I never want to put myself in position for the enemy to use me to create discord. I also seek your wisdom and discernment to detect the strategies and plans of the enemy. I make a conscious effort to guard and protect the harmony of my home, family and church. Keep me one with you and your creation and people, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Peace and Good Journey!
+t. anthony bronner
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