A House Divided*

I grow concerned that because of the machinations of the enemy, we, the church, are becoming a house divided. Unbelievers are taking the Word of God in their mouths, and misusing it for their own plans, saying things like, "If you are a Christian, then you should be supporting the law recognizing abortion as 'a woman's right to choose'", as well as persecuting believers for not observing other laws enacted that contradict God's Word. The Word of God is not to be used to further men's agendas, but it is to be regarded as truth directed by the Holy Spirit to shine light upon men: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:19-21). Today we see men misusing the Word as a bludgeon against the church. The misuse of the Word of God, whether by believers or unbelievers, causes division. Unbelief concerning the Word also causes division. Jesus sent His disciples out with specific commands: "And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils..." (Mk. 3:13-19, excerpt). Why isn't the church walking in this? It is because of doubt and unbelief, which also cause divisions within the church, as the church debates whether miracles are still for today. Even His own friends tried to lay hold of Jesus, saying "He is beside himself" (v. 21). Our own friends and family can be opposed to our born-again, Spirit-filled faith, and our obedience to the Word of God. As Jesus worked miracles, religious experts called scribes, who transcribed and taught the Word of God, accused Jesus of casting out devils by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of devils! (v. 22). Jesus asked those critics how Satan could cast out Satan? He said: "And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end." (v. 24-26). Jesus warned that although many blasphemies may be forgiven, this kind of blasphemy, the attribution of the power and work of the Holy Spirit to that of Satan, is a blasphmemy that cannot be forgiven: "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation." (v. 29). We have a perfect example in scripture of Satan using the Word of God incorrectly and inaccurately to deceive, just as he did to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, in order to divide man from God, and each other. Satan did so again in trying to tempt even Jesus to abandon His purpose by quoting scripture inappropriately. The Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness in order to be tempted. Jesus had been fasting for 40 days and nights (Mt. 4:1-2). The Tempter came to Jesus in His hunger and said, "If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." Having been led by the Holy Spirit to fast for this time, Jesus gave this answer to that temptation: "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (v. 3-4). Then the devil took Jesus to the holy city and set Him upon the pinnacle of the temple, and instructed Him to cast Himself down from it. The devil assured Jesus that by the promise he quoted in the Word of God (Ps. 91:11-12), no harm could come to Jesus. Jesus spoke of a commandment of God that truly and more perfectly applied to this temptation: "It is written again, thou shalt not tempt the LORD thy God." (v. 6-7). Finally, the devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth, and their glory, promising that he would give them to Jesus "...if thou wilt fall down and worship me." (v. 8-9). Jesus answered, "Get thee hence, Satan,: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the LORD thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (v. 10). At that point, the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Jesus. Does the church recognize when the devil, or men, twist the scriptures for their own purposes (2 Peter 3:16)? This is a source of division in the church. Not only is this a question of rightly discerning and applying the scriptures, but it is also an issue that is affected by character. Jesus taught of a spiritual character that would keep us in the righteous mind and Spirit of God, which is necessary to stand against these kinds of temptations. These spiritual qualities are called The Beatitudes (Mt. 5:1-12), and they include a blessing for those "which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Jesus also spoke about the merciful, and the peacemakers, the humble and the pure in heart. Especially in these times, when the attack of division has come so strongly against the church, we should seek these spiritual qualities that Jesus considered important for His disciples. Following the teaching of The Beatitudes, Jesus then described believers in Him as being the salt of the earth, and the light of the world (Mt. 5:13-16). He pointed out, however, that if we as salt have lost our savor, or if we as light, have failed to shine that light of good works before men, then the salt becomes "good for nothing", and the Father is not glorified. We do these works of salt and light understanding that men will scorn and even persecute us because of it, but Jesus also said, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Mt. 5:10-12). Having prepared His disciples in all of these things, Jesus called the twelve to him and "he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." (Mt. 10:1). Jesus sent them to the lost sheep of Israel, as it was not yet the time to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles or the Samaritans (v. 5-6). "As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of God is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." (v. 7-8). The disciples were to leave their peace with those cities and households that would hear and receive them. They were to let their peace return to them from those places that would not receive them, even shaking the dust from their feet as they leave those places (v. 11-14). Jesus spoke concerning any city that did not receive the Gospel that the disciples would bring: "Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (v. 15-16). Jesus warned them, "...but beware of men". Men, and the systems of men, would hurt them, accuse them, and judge them, He said (v. 17-18). On those occasions, they were to speak as the Holy Spirit would give them the words to speak, not relying on their own pre-planned words: "For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." (v. 19-20). We can see how the anointed leading of the Holy Spirit putting the words in our mouths is what is needed today more than ever. The division in the church comes not only from the world's twisting of the Word of God for their own purposes against the church, but also words spoken within the church of believers that are not directed by the Holy Spirit. Some speak against other believers who are not like themselves, and conclude that they are not saved. These are also not the words spoken out of the humble, righteous and pure hearts of The Beatitudes, nor are they edifying words that are salt and light. All of these things lead us into the danger of becoming a house divided. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 10/3/21 message to the church. 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