17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. – Romans 16:17-18
One of the sharpest tools in the Devil’s toolbox is division. If he can drive a wedge into a relationship, he can easily take control and do great harm. That’s why the scriptures are so clear in warning about the divisive person. Some people thrive on division, yet how they go about it can be different. It is easy to spot a person who is just straight out divisive in their words and actions. However, on the other hand not all who seek to cause division to do so with an explosive action. As Romans 16:18 warned us, they use smooth words or flattering speech.
Some use the spirit of Jezebel, as we can see in Revelation 2:20 in our Lord’s rebuke of Thyatira. They must control or manipulate any situation. They do this by a variety of means. It may be using charm, or guilt or trying to intimidate to subvert leadership. These types cannot be told no or held to any type of accountability or correction. They do not back down even when confronted with truth contrary to the narrative they want everyone to believe. To help hide their divisive ways, they will cloke their motives in spiritual terms. Many will fall for their deception, even believing them because of how convincing their appeal is and they don’t appear at first to be seeking to cause division. By the time the majority figure out their true motives the damage has already been done.
That is why the scriptures encourage us to test to see if they are truly of God (I John 4:1). We must ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what is true and what is not and that it is true as well of a divisive spirit. If division is not dealt with quickly, the harm can be unrepairable. That is why Paul instructs Titus to separate from a divisive person after warning them once or twice (Titus 3:10). To continue in fellowship with someone who stirs division, empowers them to continue.
So, let’s be mindful to discern the motives of one’s actions. The Holy Sprit will help us know how to respond and to reveal a divisive person.
~ Insights for the Journey is a weekly devotional from Pastor Christopher Clark to engage, encourage and equip believers in their Christian journey. This devotional and others can also be found on our website: www.cordovabc.org/insights_for_the_journey. ~
