A HOUSE DIVIDED

Here in northern Alabama there is a bumper sticker for the two rival colleges in the state that has Auburn on one half and Alabama on the other and it reads, 'A House Divided' referring to the occupants of the family home can not agree upon which team to support. In life it is much more serious a matter than which football or basketball to cheer on.

If you have a family feud going on it is not a pretty thing. A friend of mine has two siblings going through a misunderstanding where these two grown adult siblings refuse to budge or compromise and they have not spoken in several months. I find that sad particularly when the siblings claim to be Christians. They should know who the real enemy is and fight against him and not each other. Satan is the enemy and he is a divider not a one who unites. Our flesh gets in the way and we humanly want to win the battle and get our way but we need to step back and say, "Ah ha, it is Satan I need to be mad at not this individual." John 10:10 says "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." The thief is Satan and he wants to steal our joy, kill our spirit and destroy relationships. He is good at it but we have the power to not let him win. But if your human side thinks it has to be right and whine like a little baby then Satan is not going to be defeated. These fights make the enemy so happy as he sees pride get in the way and neither side wanting to admit fault or end it by just forgiving and forgetting it. Satan loves fighting.

Why do people keep arguing and wanting their own way particularly those who know the Lord? We are to be different than the world, not stoking the fires of argumentative spirits. In the scenario above,neither sibling chooses to admit wrong so the battle continues and the breakdown in this once close family is still there. One sibling needs to give in and confront the other and ask for prayer and forgiveness if they ever expect this to end or it will go on til they die.

Amos 3:3 says "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? " This simply means that the two people need to get together and seek forgiveness and walk with each other in harmony. In marriage it is good to never fight but if for some odd reason you find yourself getting into a heated conversation remember first to have a gentle and quiet spirit to try to defuse the person wanting to pick the fight but also remember it says in scripture in Ephesians 4:26 "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger". Some arguments are pretty stupid anyway. James 1:20 says "Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires." Finally Psalm 4:4 says "Don't sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent."

Matthew 12:25 says "Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, "Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart." Bickering has to stop. If it doesn't there will never be family unity. Do your best with God's help in your own family to maintain a spirit of peace, joy and love. Do not allow the devil an opportunity to bring division. Nip it in the bud before it happens. If you are starting a new family make up your mind that you will not argue and will allow God to be in the center of your relationship and not give the enemy a foothold in causing division. Psalm 101:2 says "I will be careful to lead a blameless life--when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart."

PRAYER: Father God I want to walk in peace within my own home and I want to be an example for those around me. I know the enemy is out to kill, steal, destroy, and divide and I will not allow him to disrupt my life or that of my family. Help me realize when arguments occur the real enemy is our flesh and Satan. I want to maintain peace and a happy spirit. Help me do this Lord. In Jesus Name. Amen.