How Division and Hostility are Destroying Christianity
Overcoming animosity and restoring unity within the Church
The Way It Often Is
Too often, we live with an “us against them” mentality, especially in Christianity. Our relationships become politicized, and smear campaigns ensue. One group or the leaders of the group bully the other group.
People who were to show they were disciples of Jesus Christ by their love can’t get along and can barely stand each other. No one trusts the other. We look for reasons to dislike and distrust each other. We wear our disdain like a badge or medal of valor.
Christians, whom the Bible calls brothers and members of the same family, gossip about each other and spread false rumors, seeking to destroy those who they see as failing in their faithfulness.
Each group belittles the other, leading to tension and hostility. Social media is rife with the war and the ever-increasing animosity.
We complain and criticize without understanding each other’s point of view. After all, the critic and complainer must be correct, or their group will not gain the upper hand with God and followers.
Trivial issues cause major fights and cause prolonged hurtful feuds. Hostility, mistrust, and criticism bring about division. Bitterness and resentment become hallmarks of our faith.
Anger and tension create discord and division, causing heated and hurtful debates online and elsewhere. People create false stories and exaggerations to slander each other. The ones who live to the highest and tightest list of rules criticize the “loose livers. (those who take the rules lightly)” Those who live with different values slander their supposed brothers equally.
Each wants to maintain power and influence. Judging is the ministry of the day. Criticizing and complaining about how others’ lives have grown the beams in our eyes to the point we are blind to our problems.
Resentment for Jesus and the Bible spread everywhere because of the attitudes of those who most loudly proclaim their allegiance to Jesus. Jesus becomes the bitter accuser by proxy because of his loudest advocates.
Us against them to gain advantage, more followers, likes, and recognition. Each must assert their dominance.
Competition, comparison, and criticism are the bylines of the day—bad blood over matters of lesser importance.
The Remedy
To remedy the situation, we must realize we have a serious problem. We need to stop talking so much and start listening. We need to treat others like we want to be treated.
The world shouldn’t see us as haters. If you had to identify yourself with one group in the Bible, who would it be? Does your group, your attitude most align with the love of Jesus, the Pharisees, the lost, the zealots, which?
Will you admit to being in an adversarial relationship with other Christians? Is it possible that you need to be more fair in your expressions of what others believe or practice?
Does the gossip die when it reaches you? Do you investigate for yourself or accept the hate?
Do you work towards restoration or work at control and manipulation to raise your notoriety and lower your brothers? Do you work to eliminate false and misleading stories and prejudices? Are you willing to have honest conversations?
Interesting quotes
“The power of one man or one woman doing the right thing for the right reason, and at the right time, is the greatest influence in our society.” Jack Kemp
“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” Ida B. Wells
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
Edmund Burke
“Goodness is about character - integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people.” Dennis Prager
Bible verses to consider
Known by our love for other believers
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34–35.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. 1 John 4:20–21.
Live at Peace
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18.
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. Proverbs 17:9.
Don’t Get Sucked Into What everyone is doing
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21.
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Luke 6:27–29.
Don’t be a Hater
Hatred stirreth up strifes: But love covereth all sins. Proverbs 10:12.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Romans 12:14.
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8.