"One was Debir, the other was King Geder" (Joshua 12:13)

It destroys communication between people, making it difficult for people to talk, causing misunderstandings and prejudices between each other, leading to alienation between families, church divisions, ethnic divisions, social class divisions, racial discrimination, and national confrontations. Christ came, but

"to make us peace, to make both one, and to break down the middle wall of partition between us." (Ephesians 2:14)

Concept:

The spirit of division - "The spirit of division" is a dark power in the spiritual world that specializes in "division".

Division: means to split, to separate the whole thing, and also to separate the whole; in addition, it also means to be scattered and not unified. Spiritual authority exists because believers gradually tend to unite according to the goals given by God. Therefore, division is Satan's basic trick to divide and conquer, and division is one of the enemy's most important weapons. The first action he took against mankind was to divide (alienate) the relationship between man and God in the Garden of Eden.

Manifestations:

The spirit of division usually manifests itself in us as: destruction of thoughts and ideas, or using words to offend and hurt others, making them feel ashamed, insecure, or destroying trust. Usually this spirit will create such divisions between people, or between people and God.

In marriage, friendship, family, church, different denominations, groups, different ethnic groups, offices, schools, countries, as long as there are people, the spirit of division can work in them, causing division and disunity.

Causes of division:

1. Exalt people

I mean that each of you says, "I am of Paul," "I am of Apollos," "I am of Cephas," "I am of Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:12-13)

Some of them exalt Paul, some Apollos, and some Cephas; for when one is exalted, another is degraded, and jealousy and strife arise.

Brothers, I urge you by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you all speak the same thing. And there should be no divisions among you, but be perfectly united in the same mind and in the same opinion. Paul said, "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Paul's meaning is to teach us: Do not exalt people, but only exalt Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:2)

2. Accept the support of others

I beseech you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing. And that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Cor. 1:10)

First, I hear that when you come together you have divisions among yourselves, and I partly believe this. For there must be factions among you, that those who are experienced may be made manifest. (1 Cor. 11:18-19)

We see that there are many divisions in the church today. In addition to the truth, most of the others are for authority, wanting to gain a spiritual position in the church, or maintaining an existing position, and thus winning over people to support him or accepting people's support. This will inevitably lead to factions, open struggles, and great breaches, giving Satan the opportunity to divide and destroy.

3. The work of the old Adam

You are still of the flesh, for there are jealousies and quarrels among you. Isn't this of the flesh, and acting like the world? (1 Corinthians 3:3)

There are many people in the church who have been saved by grace, but they do not have the will to pursue, do not deal with themselves seriously, do not regard Jesus as the Lord of their lives, and are still infants in Christ, so they are driven by the flesh and old self. Some exalt others and take pleasure in exalting others; there are also many people who are happy to be exalted by others and feel comfortable sitting in a high position. Are there any "self" activities in the church today? "Self" is the main reason for forming factions.

Allowing factions in the church to continue to develop will cause divisions. This spirit of division often carries the disguise of truth, and it actually comes from the evil of the human heart - the mind of the devil.

4. The essence of division is to resist the word of God with human flesh and lust

Drive out the scornful, and the dispute will be eliminated, and the disputes and humiliation will also cease. (Proverbs 22:10)

Lord, we have so many shortcomings in unity. Please help us understand and appreciate your prayer for our unity. Let us pray for the unity of all the members of the church and be determined to be a peacemaker and a person who strives to promote unity. Amen.

Source: Pastoral Ministry Department of End-Time Ministry (Please notify us promptly if any copyright infringement is involved.)