PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 12:22-29
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Every household divided against itself will not stand.” (Matthew 12:25)
Jesus is accused by the religious leaders of being in league with the devil.
The ‘strong man’ is dividing his opponents, ruining them for the kingdom mission.
The religious leaders should want to see the demon-possessed set free, like Jesus.
Their own people are doing similar work (12:27), so why are they upset about Jesus?
I see this same division at work among God’s household in the world today.
Instead of affirming the different parts of God’s body at work, we attack those parts.
We do not need to agree on everything, and we will approach the task differently.
But stop attacking those who are working for Jesus, just because they’re different.
The Bible Society, Bible League and ShareWord (Gideons) are similar yet different.
If they accuse the others of working for the devil, they are dividing God’s house.
If one church or denomination accuses others of working for the devil, they are too.
Jesus is bringing in God’s kingdom all over the world, through all kinds of helpers.
We don’t need to belong to the same unit to fight against the same enemy.
Let’s stop fighting each other and fight the strong man instead?
PRAYER
Lord, I see the strong man dividing your people, each accusing the other of not serving Jesus properly. Drive out the demons of division among us, and help us to work together for your kingdom mission.
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” The church is so divided – it hurts. We are supposed to be one under Jesus – yet we let teachings and ideologies and different interpretations of scripture separate us. If a person believes in Jesus as their Lord and says so – I will believe them even if they, in my opinion, have a long way to develop in their walk with Jesus – I need to be committed to help them to grow in their following of the Jesus way. Working in concert with what the HS is doing in their life. I need to be patient and willing to accommodate them as they grow in faith – as I do too! It is the way that Jesus casts out the evil in our lives by growing closer to him. Lord work on my through your spirit and work on all who I am able to walk beside and interact with!
“If a person believes in Jesus as their Lord and says so – I will believe them even if they, in my opinion, have a long way to develop in their walk with Jesus – I need to be committed to help them to grow in their following of the Jesus way.” Amen and amen!
I also pray that someone is as committed to helping me grow in my following of the Jesus way. We are all on the way, with a long way to grow.
The house divided against itself cannot stand. This is true for governments, churches and even families. There are those who desire to sow discord breaking the tie that binds – brotherly love. We are called to unity – unity of purpose, unity of heart, unity of mind. We are one in the Spirit. The church can not do the work of the Lord when you have divisions. This is true also of families and government. We are called to keep the unity of the Spirit. One Lord. One faith. One hope.
We are one in the spirit we are one in the Lord
We are one in the spirit we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love , by our love
Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love
We will walk with each other
We will walk hand in hand (2)
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land
We will work with each other we will work side by side(2)
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride
All praise to the father from whom all things come
And all praise to Christ Jesus his only son
And all praise to the spirit
Who makes all things one.