A Church Divided Cannot Stand
I found out early that a church divided cannot stand. As a young Christian in the 1970s, I loved God. That was all I knew. I didn’t know that Christians fight other Christians or have ulterior motives never authored by God.
My first encounter with a divided church was when I unknowingly visited an all-black church. I walked in ready and willing to worship God and icy stares met my happy gaze.
To my surprise, racism was alive and well in churches.
Nothing prepared me for how to deal with hate-filled eyes. The worshippers were uncomfortable with my presence and couldn’t wait until I left. I did leave and learned a valuable lesson.
Racism existed within people who claimed to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. My naivety matched inexperience. However, I didn’t believe what they did because measuring people by their skin color isn’t my first thought.
That incident happened four decades ago providing a glimpse into why a church divided cannot stand. If it isn’t racism, then it’s doctrinal, denominational, or other differences that separate Christians.
All this sickens my spirit. But why am I surprised? Religious people in Jesus’ day opposed His ministry and He was God. He spoke clearly to them that a house divided cannot stand.
Mark 3:22-25 (AMP)
The scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul (Satan),” and “He drives out the demons by the [power of the] ruler of the demons.” So He called them to Himself and spoke to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided [split into factions and rebelling] against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
Why a Church Divided Cannot Stand
The main reason for division in churches is the lack of love for God. If we don’t love our neighbors as ourselves, how can we say we love God? It’s not possible. We deceive ourselves when we don’t see our huge heart problem.
Also, Christians who don’t love others bow to satan’s tactics to divide the church. He’s behind every squabble, misunderstanding, and wrong motive. When strife rises up inside you to confront another brother or sister in Christ, check your heart and spirit first. Be honest with yourself about your thoughts and possible future actions. Ask yourself, “If I constantly dissect other people, do I know them better than He does?”
When believers are constantly up in arms, anyone coming to church looking for Jesus can’t find Him. They see discord instead of love. Meditate on this church divided bible verse.
I Corinthians 1:10 (AMP)
But I urge you, believers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in full agreement in what you say, and that there are no divisions or factions among you, but that you are perfectly united in your way of thinking and in your judgment [about matters of the faith].
In or out of the church, like-minded people get things done. A church and its people can’t spread the Gospel message while developing battle plans against other believers.
How a Church Divided Cannot Stand
A divided church does not represent the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost). It’s sad to watch people take sides against each other. Many churchgoers leave because they want no part of dissension. Or they exit when something’s amiss with leadership or realize false doctrine is taught.
However, it doesn’t need to get to the point where hatred reigns instead of love. If individuals take steps to stay close to God, the corporate church will flow with the Holy Spirit. A church that stands is one that recognizes Jesus as their head, or leader and allows the Holy Spirit to flow from Him to believers and from them to others. Here are ways on how to deal with division in a church.
- Each believer must commit their lives to God and especially to His way of doing things. That means they work regularly and consistently on their relationship with Him. Christ must reign in their hearts as Lord and Savior over all. They honor Him not a denomination (Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, etc.).
- Traditions are not from God and can develop into religious habits. Believers must be careful to be led by the Spirit of God and not their flesh. When the flesh rises up to take authority (pride), that’s a recipe for strife. It signals that not all is well with you and God.
- Respect how other people worship God. Some prefer being silent, others raise their hands, or respond to loud music. We’re as different as the buildings we worship in. What unites us is our deep love for God and letting the Holy Spirit move as He desires in each believer. Christians consecrated to God don’t have time for discord.
Other Ways a Church Divided Cannot Stand
- Focus on delivering the Gospel message to a lost world. If Christians don’t agree that the Great Commission is the most vital service to others, then why do we call ourselves the church?
- Don’t allow yourself to respond in anger or to set up private meetings with certain church members to formulate tactics against others. The church will never move forward unless serving God and people is the top priority.
- Stay humble—period. Getting your own way should never be your goal. Striving to please God only, not man, cements believers into one body.
- Pray for God’s vision for the church. If everyone does that, they will be in agreement. Opposing views don’t come from God because He moves harmoniously.
Proverbs 29:18 (AMP)
Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained; But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].
Unity isn’t that hard when people want to get along and sidestep personal agendas in favor of what God wants. The question we should ask ourselves when division occurs is: Do we really believe we know more than the Creator?