Early on in my Christian walk, I heard a preacher say: “If there is a conflict between two believers, one of them is not walking in the spirit.” I believe that to be true. Oftentimes, it is both that are not walking in the spirit. The apostle Paul writes, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV).
One of Satan’s strategies is to divide from within. If believers are so busy fussing with one another, plotting against one another, then it divides us, and that is the poorest reflection of our Savior. “The thief comes except to steal, kill, and destroy…” John 10:10. It is a spiritual battle, and if we begin to lean on our own understanding, our own agenda, and our own desires, then we make it that much easier for the real enemy to create chaos. “But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” Matthew 28:25 (NKJV).
That is why Jesus gave us a new commandment. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this, all will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.” John 13:33-34 Jesus our all-knowing Savior knew that His followers would struggle to get along. Our desire ought to be that all to know that we are His disciples. I want all to know that we are different. I want all to know that we belong to Christ. The apostle Peter encourages believers, “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit,
hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking” 1 Peter 2:1 Laying aside is what this country needs. Laying aside is what our church needs. Laying aside is what your family needs. Lay aside those things that are divisive and be merciful as our Lord has been merciful to us. Jesus says, “I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10b.”
We are human; we all make mistakes. No one is right about everything, and neither are they wrong about everything. That is not what is important. What is important is that we glorify Jesus in all that we say and do. “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.”
God bless you in your walk with the Lord. Be a peacemaker so that you may live life abundantly, walking in unity.