Divide & Conquer!!!
There is an ancient saying linked to the affairs of nations and national conquest, that is largely attributed to Julius Caesar. In Latin it is ““Divide et impera”…in English it translates to “Divide and Conquer”. It is a practice for those who want to go about conquering others, and keeping them in a continuously weak state. For a person, corporation, empire or government it is a very effective method of keeping yourself in a position of power. It is a process led by the stirring up of disagreements among other groups and/or individuals so that they are less able to oppose you, and are inhibited in their ability to unite together to stand against you.
Satan has employed this strategy since he walked in the Garden of Eden and caused division between humanity and God.
In these last days, these darkened days where evil is rising, division and discord are the essential ingredients to cause collapse of our nations, our communities, our families and most serious of all…our churches.
Pride (which is the original sin) is at the heart of the division, people and groups of people hiding in denominations all thinking that their way is the only true way to Christ, and their understanding of the scriptures is the only truth of them. Often basing these disagreements and divisions on one sole scripture taken from one singular translation of the Bible.
Jesus even comments on this, where in Mark 7:6-8a he speaks against the fanatical legalism of the Pharisees by emphatically stating “He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honours Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men”
Spend five minutes online in what are meant to be God-fearing, Christian social media pages, websites, apps etc and you will see that the CHURCH is divided like no other time in human history. You see people arguing about Calvinism this, Arminianism that, oh but Methodism, and don’t forget the charismatics, pentecostals nor the multitude of Catholic flavours.
All of these are the traditions of men. All of them serve to make us feel comfortable in our little closed off communities, believing that we are secure in our faith as long as it suites our own personal thoughts and beliefs - rather than holding to what the Bible actually says. Sound doctrine is sound doctrine, but so many of our disagreements are on such secondary matters that the salvation of a person is never dependent on them.
What else does the Bible say about this???
Well let us turn to the words of Jesus himself, where in Matthew 12:25 he firmly states, “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.”
The Apostle Paul speaks to this very issue in writing to the church in Corinth.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 says “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ. Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptised in the name of Paul? Of course not!”
These statements should wake us up. Especially today when personality cults dominate how many Christians engage with church, by going to the churches where their ‘favourite’ preacher is, or by going to the church that is the most ‘fun and exciting’ where the ‘atmosphere’ is better.
We do not follow after the teaching of men…rather we MUST follow Christ and be united in Christ. Perhaps we should reconsider what Paul wrote to the church in Rome…
“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for ‘Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13
If we truly believe this then we should all be united as the Body of Christ….
UNITED WE STAND…DIVIDED WE FALL!!!