Today’s Reading, Romans 14-16
Focal Scripture: Romans 16:17 “Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them,”
A person who is divisive is very difficult to be around. People with this personality are always looking for ways to start conflict. They argue with people because they believe they can do no wrong. The mentality of a person like this always look for the negative in others and in situations. The biggest problem is that people like this do not believe they are doing anything wrong. They often believe they are doing the Lords work by pointing out problems. However, they are often stirring up division amongst the people. This often takes the place in gossip and character assassination.
In today’s reading, Paul is wrapping up his letter to the church in Rome. He warns them to look out for people who are divisive. To abuse people who create obstacles that are contrary to the teachings of the gospel. Why? Because people like this have an ulterior motive. It is to create division amongst an organization or people to achieve an agenda. This agenda is usually to acquire power or to disrupt the plans of the Lord.
So are you a divisive person? A quick way to assess if you are is to ask yourself if you are a gossip about people or organizations. I can’t tell you the number of people I have engaged with who destroy people behind closed doors because they disagree with their choices and the way God has made them to function. These people gossip about others because they don’t like people who can think for themselves. They stir up division in the church because they want to be the center of attention.
So what can you do if you find yourself in this situation around a divisive person. Avoid these people at all costs. I have had to do this on several occasions in my life. It has not always been easy but it has been necessary. I even left a ministry position onetime because the leader was extremely divisive. They would gossip about the people and the church behind closed doors. They would stir up problems amongst others to achieve a certain agenda. They were by nature divisive as they were always looking for an argument.
If you’re that type of person, examine your heart and determine if you know the God of the Bible. If you claim to know Christ, repent and fix the situation. If you’re around a person like that pray for them and avoid them, for your spiritual health and the health of the church matters more than being polite.
It is hard but worth it in the end.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading 1 Corinthians 1-4
