HC Family Conversation - Day 4

Here is a verse that is on my heart tonight,

“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” (Ephesians 4:2–3, NLT)

Unity is never an accident. It requires purpose and very hard work. The more important an issue is, the harder we have to work to keep legitimate disagreement from resulting in disunity.

Disagreements are like sparks; our words are either like water or gasoline. Right words extinguish the fires of controversy; wrong words can cause explosions.

One measure of our spirituality is the way we disagree with others. Division is a sign of carnality (I Cor. 3:3) and God hates every person who sows it. (Proverbs 6:19)

You recognize a divisive person by the impact of their words and actions. Run away from them like they have the plague! (Romans 16:17) This can be hard if they are people you love, admire, or appreciate, but that verse is in the Bible for a reason.

Division is like an infection. It spreads through personal contact. We can pick up a spirit of division without even knowing it, just like we would some other germ.

When you receive this email, please pause for a moment and pray these words,

“Heavenly Father, Help me to walk in unity with my brothers and sisters at Hillcrest Church. Give me grace to listen as well as speak. Help me see things from other people’s point of view. Give me the courage to walk away from conversations that are divisive. Help me speak words that bring unity in the Spirit. Show us your will. Guide our decision. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”