Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Rom 16:17, 18 [KJV])
I personally hated physical fights. From childhood I was terrified when a fight breaks among friends or classmates or any kind of fighting. Fighting erupt because of luck of anger control, so its outcome is not predictable; I guess that may have been the cause for my fear. It is important to identify the source of trouble and take necessary steps to avoid. There are people who enjoy being trouble makers. It is something they find pleasure doing. We cannot avoid their presence in our midst but we can find ways to avoid their activities, their contacts, their schemes.
Where Love is there are no divisions, true love bring unity and oneness. It propagates coherence and understanding between people. It breaks barriers that would otherwise exist in the absence of love. This love sees beyond outward appearances, it connects the hearts and reaches out to all. You can see how powerful love is, you can imagine how the world would be like without hatred and divisions. One way people have opted to avoid differences in their community is to stay away from other ‘Mind own business’. Living in a community but care the least to know who your neighbors are, may keep you away from some petty trouble makers but they will cause your life to be miserable and lonely. We are not meant to be lonesome. You have many who are committing suicide because of loneliness yet they are living among people.
Paul’s advise to the Corinthians was; mark those elements that stirs the spirit of division amidst you and avoid them. That spirit is not of God but Satan. They have a different agenda, to satisfy themselves, but also to advance their master’s mission of causing disharmony and disunity knowing it will cause many to shun things of God. Love is an enemy of evil. No wonder the same Paul said “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom 12:21 [KJV]) Jesus also said, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Matt. 5:44 [KJV]).
The spirit of strife and division is so common among Christians and maybe it is because we have not heeded to Paul’s advice. As long as we entertain such people we would have divisions and disunity. Since their agenda is different we should not allow them to thrive in our midst. When they see their works yielding fruits they are happy, why should we allow them to control our lives? When we cherish the spirit of love we would not allow disunity and divisions to exist between us and others; all things shall be under the influence of true love. “The enemy of Christ is intensely active. He seeks to take possession of human minds, that he may bring in division, discord, and a party spirit. He seeks to create division among the people of God, that they may be weakened, and that their influence for good on the world may be lessened.” {Manuscript Releases Vol. 4. p.291}
By A. Eliamani
Timeless Principles 