That is just how Satan wants us. Because he knows, “Two are better than one.”-Ecclesiastes 4:9. Our God is a God of fellowship and oneness. God is in a constant, unified state of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is never divided, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”-Deuteronomy 6:4. As his children, we should display that kind of selfless unity.
So, how do we end up with a nation of Israel divided, conquered, and captured? The answer is not Jehovah. Satan is the author of division. He set Cain against Abel, Sarah against Hagar, Jacob was Esau’s enemy, The ten were angry at the two who asked for thrones, and on and on. Our lesson today is about the danger of division within Christian homes. The phrase Jesus uses in Matthew 19 concerning marriage applies to a myriad of situations, churches, elders, members, in-laws, even close personal relationships, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. “-Matthew 19:6.”
Why is separating such a big deal to God? Because it can take a small army of the faithful and turn them into small pockets of fearful Christians, too scared to let their lights shine.
It is natural to be afraid when you are alone. Elijah ran from Jezebel because he thought he was the last faithful man in Israel, “and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life to take it away.”-I Kings 19:10. God’s answer came in the same chapter, “I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”-v18.
Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, feared the army sent against two men of no military consequence. But God was always there, “Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”-II Kings 6:17.
Satan wants not only to divide us but to make us fear because we think we are alone. We preach quite a bit, as well we should, about the sin of separating a man and wife. It is God who joins but the devil seeks to tear asunder. How does it happen? A Texas preacher I know puts it like this, “When a husband is distracted, and a wife is discouraged, the devil destroys.” Wild carnivores thrive as opportunistic hunters. They prey on the sick and separated who are not protected by the herd. A man more focused on his future more than his family may look up only to find himself alone with someone who is not his wife, the devil destroys. “A woman left alone by a man who seems not to care or who is beaten down by managing a family as a solo project, may hear an empathetic voice and see a available shoulder of a man who is not her husband, the devil destroys.
Seek safety in numbers. Satan prowls around, “like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”-I Peter 5:8. The devil first needs to separate, then he can destroy. Hold on to your spouse, children, church, family, and church leadership. Protect each other at all costs. Solomon puts it this way, “a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”-Ecclesiastes 4:12.
The time to braid that cord is now! Strengthen your family ties. Mend broken fences. Keep a look out for and fear those who would break apart, “watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”-Romans 16:17-18. Wolves indeed.
Sooth the bitter hearts of those who have turned their backs on God by singing the sweet notes of the gospel, the love of God, death of Jesus, and life of the Spirit. Graft them back in (Romans 11:23-24) and praise the God who saves the wild olive branches.
Leave a Reply