1 Corinthians 3:3 For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?
The policy of hell to destroy unity is to ‘divide and rule’. The demons sow discord, division and derision to steal our unity, kill our joy and destroy families, friendships, churches, communities and even countries. The devil is present at every gossip group, slanderous conversation and conniving discussions. His team of demons fuel jealousy and ignite quarrel. He comes disguised as an insinuating irritation, envy or strife.
Paul appealed to two women in the church of Philippi, I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side (Philippians 4:2). We are unsure what the strife was about but Paul begged them to resolve their differences. Apparently their scuffle was public but Paul was concerned about the division in the church. The church of Philippi was birthed from a women’s prayer group (Acts 16) and it is likely that these women were part of the original group. Both Euodia and Syntyche had strived alongside Paul for the sake of the Gospel.
Remember, ‘satan, like a fisher, baits his hook according to the appetite of the fish’ – Thomas Adams. He would attack our passion and suck out our enthusiasm. Ego and envy are buddies. They are inseparable twins who work together. Where there is pride and egotism, jealousy will be the undercurrent. Satan doesn’t control us with fang marks on the flesh, but with lies in the heart – Timothy Keller. Behind anger, irritation or abuse there is a lethal motive of the devil to divide us into fragments and to devour our faith. When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy – Corrie Ten Boom. He doesn’t care about our friendship or fellowships; he is after our faith.
Beware of the evil plots of the thief:
1. Backbiting: The demons enjoy bickering and backbiting. When discussions turn into bad-mouthing remember, we are engaging in a conversation instigated by ‘the dividing demons’. Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy (Psalm 101:5a). The penalty of slander is destruction.
2. Brawl: Fighting is an outburst of bottled up frustration. What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? (James 4:1). We are placed within the boundaries of a family to love, cherish and enjoy each other not to control, manipulate and brawl. Intolerance and irritation with our spouse, antagonism with siblings and unforgiveness with friends are seeds of division.
3. Bitter: Bottled up anger that is unresolved turns into bitterness over a long period of time. Munching over the same harsh words of a friend or the reminiscing over mistreatment by a family member would take deep roots and poison our personality. Uproot bitterness that causes division.
Don’t let the demonic forces masticate your family, friendships and fellowships with division.
1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, .. that there be no divisions among you.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, give me your heart to love unconditionally, forgive quickly and serve selflessly. Amen.
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