By Karen Austin; Sr Leader; Cornerstone West
I am going to discuss something that may not be a popular subject, but I feel it is one that must be brought to the light. As I look back over the last decade, I can see where division that started out over a few issues has ballooned into many major issues in our day. I remember when my father was alive, he was a very staunch supporter of a particular political party. There were times when members of my family had different political opinions and there were some pretty heated arguments. But after it was over, there was still love and respect for the other person. It did not carry over into their relationships.
This is not the case today. The enemy has come forcefully to divide families, friends and co-workers. He has caused such strife over things that are clearly addressed in scripture. Some folks refrain from bringing up certain subjects so as to not offend another. People are losing jobs over posting on Facebook their opinion about an issue, which they have a right to do. It's hard to know what to say and what not to say anymore because it has gotten so ridiculous. But yet, the enemy is attempting to force his evil agenda upon us with no regard to the fact that it is totally against all that we believe.
What I want to address is this same spirit of division has come into the church. If a prophet's word has not yet come to pass, a multitude want to stone him and call him a false prophet. I seem to remember that Isaiah prophesied about the coming Messiah 700 years before Jesus was born. I am sure some thought Isaiah missed hearing from God. If a minister speaks from a burden that the Lord has laid on his heart, he cannot help but speak from the zeal of the Lord. This sometimes offends some. If the worship team pause as a holy hush falls, some get uncomfortable and criticize the team for doing so.
Many seem to have forgotten that the Lord is the sole authority in the church. If we do not agree with the worship team, the pastor, the prophet, first take it up with the Father. More often than not, He will show us a different viewpoint than what we are seeing. We must remain teachable! If we still disagree, then make an appointment with the worship leader, teacher, pastor, etc. to discuss, not condemn...to do so in love and not disrespect.
If we do not get this right, how do we think we are going to respond when the fear of the Lord falls. Will we become offended at God? John Wimber said that God will often offend the mind to reveal the heart. Holy Spirit must have free reign in our families and in our churches if we want to see the move of God we have been praying for. It will not come through division.
The enemy knows this is an easy way to divide families, churches and friends. He knows the power of division.
"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." Mark 3:24
Understand, this is what he is after. He is after your family. He is after your church. He is after your friendship. He wants to isolate you and lie to you even more so that you are deceived in many things. We must be wise as serpents but yet gentle as doves.
Kenneth McDonald tells of a time that Bob Jones said in a conversation, "Anytime you have an opinion about something...you will not be able to hear what the Holy Spirit has to say about it!" He said that he first had to repent for having an opinion. Then, he must lose his opinion entirely before he could begin to hear God's heart on the subject."
When we lay aside our opinions and put on love, the enemy has not defense. We must step up our discernment and recognize the enemy' tactics. Above all else, remain in love. Our first commandment is to love the Lord, our God with all our heart, soul and mind. Our second commandment is to love others as we love ourselves.
"Therefore some of the Pharisees were saying, “This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others were saying, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And there was a division among them." John 9:16
"so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another." 1 Corinthians 15:25