All throughout the Bible, we find passages that point out how the church is called to be a “together” people. Over and over again, we find the idea of oneness as the Scriptures describe the “one another” aspect of the functionality of God’s people within the context of the local church.
Following the inauguration of President Donald Trump in 2016, people were seen protesting by bashing out glass windows, looting stores, and destroying property. A headline appeared in the BBC network that read: “Two Americas in 24 Hours — The America of Friday followed by the America of Saturday.”
Division is common in our world. We see it in corporate America, the University system, and even in our present-day political strife—through ethnic division. It’s common to see people divided over ideas, philosophies, and politics. What is common in the world must not be common in the life of the local church. We must strive together to maintain unity and to avoid division.
One of the great goals of the devil is division. Paul says that we should beware of the schemes “μεθοδεία” of the devil. This particular word is from which we derive the English word methods. It means cunning and craftiness. Satan’s schemes are real:
- Satan blinds spiritual eyes so people can’t see the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4).
- Satan hinders God’s children (2 Thess. 2).
- Satan influences the whole world (1 John 5).
- Satan is a real unique personal being – not a force.
- Satan is called the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2).
- Satan is called the spirit who works in the sons of disobedience (Eph. 2:2).
- Satan is referred to as the prince of the demons (Luke 11:15).
- Satan is called “Satan” – meaning adversary – 52 times in the Bible.
- Satan is called “the devil” – meaning slanderer or one who slanders.
- Satan is called the “old serpent.”
- Satan is called the “great dragon.”
- Satan is depicted as a “roaring lion” – alluding to his power.
- Satan is called the “Evil one” in John 17:15.
- Satan is called the destroyer in Revelation 9.
- Satan is the tempter in Matthew 4.
- Satan is the accuser of the brethren in Revelation 12.
This is why Paul warned the church in Ephesus to “give no opportunity to the devil” (Eph. 4:27). When we consider the schemes of Satan, we must consider how he seeks to divide Christians in order to prevent the work of local churches in local communities and beyond through global missions.
All throughout the Bible, we find passages that point out how the church is called to be a “together” people. Over and over again, we find the idea of oneness as the Scriptures describe the “one another” aspect of the functionality of God’s people within the context of the local church.
