ROOTED RENEGADE

The spirit of disunity and discord has been wreaking havoc among God’s people for centuries. We can read accounts of it in the Bible with the Pharisees and Saduccees. Each thought they were right and neither could agree but on one thing…to crucify our Lord Jesus Christ.

We see it now with different denominations, different theologies and ideologies, different political parties. There is no true unity in the body of Christ right now. If it is not an argument about the Word of God, it’s about politics. If it’s not an argument about who is to be the next deacon, it’s an argument about what color to paint the church walls. 

The meaningless arguments we enter into, when in the grand scheme of things they don’t really matter, is where disunity and discord do their best work.

If they can get you to focus on the little things and not on Jesus, then they are doing their jobs well.

How come it is we keep missing this? And how do we stop playing into their hands?

We first have to take care of the roots in our heart that cause us to be critical and judgmental. And we can do this by asking ourselves a few questions.

1. When I want to argue a point with someone, what is my motive?
2. When I feel strongly that I am right and someone else is wrong or misguided, where does that really come from?
3. When I get mad at someone because they aren’t listening to my side of the argument, what is the source of the anger or frustration?
4. When I want to criticize someone, what am I not trying to look at in myself?
5. When I judge someone else, what am I judging in myself that I see in them?

Of course you can add to this list as you need to. The important part is that you ask yourself these questions and not run from what’s happening inside of you when in situations where your first instinct is to defend your side, be judgmental or critical. This always stems from something hiding in our hearts that needs to be healed.

The Lord is gracious and kind and will help us pull those roots out so that we can see clearly. 

When we deal with what is in our hearts, then we are more apt to see disunity and discord quickly and can avoid falling into their traps. And their traps won’t be subtle anymore. 

Another thing we can do is to pray for increased discernment. Discernment keeps us from entering into arguments that are pointless and will go no where but create more tension and strife (good friends of disunity and discord). 

In order to have increased discernment, we need wisdom. Wisdom is the best teacher and will open our eyes so that our discernment increases. 

James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

God will grant us wisdom and increase our discernment. We need our hearts purified so that we don’t take the increase and use it as weapons against others.

It is my prayer that as you have read this, your heart has been stirred to take some time with Holy Spirit and ask Him where you have been critical and judgmental and then wait for Him to show you so your heart can be healed.

He can show you the truth. And He can show you the lies from the enemy you have believed as well.

Keep slaying those giants friends!

Faythe