Now I plead with you, brethren, 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 joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1:10 NKJV)
Lately, I have been attacked in various ways by the enemy who is trying to put a wedge between me and the work that God has called me to do. In fact, he has used several people who make a profession of Christianity as a tool to do his divisive work; and to my shame I even fell into his snare by allowing myself to enter into a debate when I know that that is not what God wants me to do with His time.
Therefore, I am left with this question: how do you deal with people who make a profession of Christianity, but are abusive, irrational and divisive?
The answer is simple!
You don’t; at least not for long anyway…
Paul said:
But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. (Titus 3:9-11 NKJV)
Essentially, the idea here is that when we see that someone is in error, it is not for us to convince that person that he is in the wrong, but to correct and admonish him in the truth as it is in Jesus Christ. If that person refuses to listen and persists in trying to inculcate ideas that are a reproach to God, then we are to reject them.
Incidentally, if we are to reject that person ‘after the first and second admonition’, then how does that even leave room for debate? Obviously, debate is something that we should avoid too, and for good reason nonetheless! For debate engenders a divisive and haughty spirit. And these are characteristics that should have no place within our hearts or our works as they are a reproach to God!
Frankly, I am quite discouraged about what has happened to me lately; and I ask that you would lift me up in prayer because I am in need of strength.
I am not a punching bag. I am a human being. More importantly, I am a son of God as a result of giving my heart to Jesus who died for my sins. And sons and daughters of God should not be abusive, irrational and divisive. For to behave in that way is to not walk with Jesus Christ, but to unite with Satan in his effort to destroy all that is good.
Sadly, many people who say they are being led by the Spirit don’t even see that they are under the influence of Satan. May God open their eyes to the folly of their ways before it is too late! And may we all have ‘eye salve’ to discern both good and evil, as well as a genuine desire to avoid doing things that would keep us from carrying out the work that Jesus Christ has called us to do in His holy name!
Indeed, we are living in the last days; and time is too precious to waste on fruitless strivings! Let’s make good use of the little time that we have left to be the light that Jesus expects us to be in a world that is filled with darkness!
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”(Matthew 12:35-37 NKJV)
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