READ: 2 Chronicles 11:1-4, Hebrews 12:14
When the northern Kingdom revolted against Rehoboam because he decided to be harsher than His father Solomon strife grew between Israel and Judah. Gathering 180,000 Judah and Benjamin warriors, Rehoboam planned to lead them to war against the 10 tribes of Israel and restore the kingdom to him. He forgot that the people he was planning to attack were not only God’s people just like themselves but they were also their brothers. God could not stand His own people fight against each other so He send prophet Shemaiah to warn Rehoboam not to proceed with his plan. A stern warning was send to Judah that every man needed to down his weapon of war and go back his tent.
Sounds similar? Seen believers in the same church that cannot see eye to eye? Ministers of the Gospel that not only tear each other down with words but also conspire against each other just because of differing opinions concerning some issues? It’s even worse that like the time of Paul we are living in days when saints go to extents of fasting and praying against other saints. During Paul’s time, Jews conspired not to eat or drink anything until they killed him. (Acts 23:12) Forty men against one man; what a level of wickedness!
There is nothing that grieves the heart of God like strife between believers. Paul lists strife as one of the works of the flesh (Gal 5:20).Every time you engage in quarreling, strife and fighting another believer the explanation is that you are actually walking in the flesh and not by the Spirit. I beseech you to shift levels and learn to operate in the realms where God assigned you. God gave you weapons of warfare(2 Cor 10:4-5) that have divine power to demolish strongholds, arguments and presumptions against the knowledge of God not people. Your warfare is not against flesh and blood but to wrestle against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness in this dark world and spiritual wickedness in high places and not flesh and blood (Ephe 6:12).Clearly, your spiritual warfare description does not include God’s precious people so be wise.
Remember that God loves people more than anything. He gave His only son Jesus to die for those brothers and sisters that you fight mercilessly. Before you conspire to bring another of His little ones down, remember that despite their weaknesses they have received an equal measure of grace unto salvation just like you did. Remember that they too are the apple of God’s eye and their names are also engraved on the palms of His hands like your own. If you can only get a glimpse of how much God loves His own, you will realize how pointless it is to waste time fighting, slandering and holding grudges against people however much offended you may have been. The easier you learn to let go and learn that some battles are not worth fighting, the better it will be for you. May be its time to lay down whatever weapon you have forged against that brother or sister and like the house of Judah return to your tent and let there be peace. Your grievances of betrayal, unfaithfulness and the pain they may have put you through may be valid, but be warned against going the way of revenge.(Rom 12:19)
Think about those battles you picked up not even because you were wronged but because you don’t like their tribe, you don’t agree with some of their ideologies, because you simply don’t like how they look or talk or worse still because of the gifts and graces that God has bestowed upon them. I pray that your eyes be enlightened to realize that it is not worth it child of God. It not only drains you leaving you weak, it gives the devil a foothold to attack you but it also strains your relationship with God. Whatever grievances you may have, I challenge to consider seeking and pursuing peace. It is easier said than done but that doesn’t mean it cannot be done. It is a personal choice to obey God and enjoy the blessing of a being a peacemaker.(Mat 5:9)
God has promised to command His blessing where brethren live in harmony and not where people keep fighting and striving. (Psalm 133).There is a blessing that comes when you a man or a woman of peace; God is proud to call you His child! The more the quarreling, fighting, slander, anger and other works of flesh, the lesser the presence of God because the anger of man will never produce the righteousness that God desires. (James 1:20).If you ever desire to be a carrier of God’s presence and host His blessing in your life then you might reconsider and choose the way of peace. Our God is a God of peace so you have no choice but to be a man of peace.
Down your weapon of war against your brother therefore,go back to your tent and let there be peace!
Selah.
