Avoid

Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭11

“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.“ ‭‭Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

These words are referring primarily to those who at least professed to be Christian, but who were reflecting the attitudes of the world around them.

When the church has a problem, it is because the world is invading the church instead of the church invading the world. The gospel is intended to be a disturbing element, to change society. Therefore, whenever the church is true to its authentic message, it is always against the status quo. The church is a revolutionary body, it always has been and we can thus be very much in sympathy with some of the revolutionary movements of our own day.

But the difference is that the church challenges the status quo with the power of God, something that no other organization or group can do.

What would you do with people who acted like animals, snarling and griping at one another?  People who engaged in stupid controversies and quarrels over the law, and who were factious with one another

Divide and conquer has been an effective weapon that has been implemented since the creation of the world. The crooked serpent, who is called the devil and satan, is the greatest manipulator of this insidious strategy. He used it in the garden to estrange man from God and men from women. It was his game plan to help execute the first murder in the Bible. He uses it today in the fields of politics, religion, family, class, race, age, entertainment, schools, social media, and a host of other mediums.

This nefarious strategy is designed to fracture a worldview, a power, a mind set, a government, and even a family into smaller, more manageable segments so that they engage in internal fights. The plan is to seize control of those that have been weakened by such monstrous manipulations.  Divide and conquer exploits humanity's deceit, envy, pride, and fleshly lusts, and is designed to achieve man's greedy plans to seize control of their unwitting victims. The nefarious plans of the enemy have all too often been employed to overthrow or undermine powerful political, military, economic, and religious machines.

Paul identified the divide and conquer method within the Church of his day and recognized that vain arguments about things unrelated to sound doctrine were causing increasing unrest within the Body of Christ.  Today, we see an increasing propensity towards this evil strategy, not only in the world of governmental economics, politics, social and religious platforms, but also within the very Body of Christ, which should remain pure in heart and united in the Spirit.  Sadly, inter denominational feuds, doctrinal differences, and a willingness to compromise the truth of the gospel, is causing the Church to become fractured and weakened.

Instead of being a voice crying in the wilderness to the lost and executing our ministry of reconciliation between fallen man and a Holy God, we have weakened our very voice and become a play thing in the hands of the enemy.

Our mission from on high is not to improve the world, but to act as salt and light within the world. Although it is good and right to help others, we are not instructed to share a social gospel, as so many teach today.

We are not called to make the world a better place, but to share the good news of the gospel of grace, so that men, women, boys, and girls may be saved out of the world by grace, through faith in Christ.

Let us be wise in our dealings with fractious men and divisive women, whether they are saved or unsaved. We should always be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have in Christ. We are not bound to respond to any contentious comments nor should we feel obligated to answer some inane question, which is designed to instigate an argument. Nevertheless, we have the promise from Christ, Himself, I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Let us take this truth to heart and, no matter what the cost, may we be those that stand up for the truth of the glorious gospel of Christ and refuse to be divided and conquered by the enemy. Let us become bright lights in a darkened world, which point the way to Christ, the one and only Mediator between God and man!!!

Father, thank You for this day and for the amazing grace it holds for us. Lord, let Your abundant blessings flow from the floodgates of heaven over my friend and family today. Lord, as we see the world being divided and conquered by wicked people we pray that You would enable us to stand fast in this evil day. Lord, help us to speak the truth and refuse to be manipulated by foolish controversies, genealogies, strife, doctrinal disputes, and other areas of Christian compromise. Lord, make us an effective witness to Your greater praise and glory.

Father, we love You. Amen !