Fervent, Strategy #10: Relationships

Satan wants to divide our ranks because he knows were are stronger together. "He creates disruption and disunity with in your circles of friends and within the shared community of the body of Christ (1 Timothy 2:8)." (Page 17) Have you experienced this? Perhaps you even avoid church or are completely turned off by it because of  division and drama you have seen. That is the exact reason Satan wants to stir discord in Christian relationships; so those who don't know Jesus wont want to.

"If I were your enemy, I'd work to create division between you and other Christians, between groups of Christians, anyone with potential for uniting in battle against me and my plans. I'd keep you operating individually, not seeing your need for the church or tying yourself too closely to its mission. Strength in numbers and unity of purpose...I would not allow things like these to go unchecked." (Page 169) Priscilla sums this up as "friendly fire". (Page 169)


When I first read this chapter I was not particularly moved. It was a good read with many wonderful nuggets I underlined in my favorite purple pen, but I did not feel convicted or motivated. Even when I was praying about and for my Christian relationships not much beyond my relationship with Justin came up. He did show me that I get irritated with one friend of mine instead of see them through God's eyes, but I was still feeling I was missing something as I said "Amen".

Last week in our small group one of our friends shared an experience from the week and the questions it brought up in him. Beyond that God showed him Romans chapter 12 to answer his questions. He encouraged us to read it too. So, as something totally separate to "Fervent"  I read Romans 12. Much to my surprise it brought this chapter of "Fervent" to life.

Much of this chapter talks about this blessing of diversity in the community of Christians. However the part that stuck me was verse 10. I read it in three versions, but the one that really moved me was in the Holman Christian Standard Bible (the link in the previous sentence is in the New Living Translation). It says:

"Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. 

Outdo one another in showing honor."

Family affection. That hit me hard. I come from a very tight knit and loving family. This was the first time I realized that is how the Christian community is designed to be. 

There is a lot of digging I could do just from that once verse. Such as understanding honor and the family dynamic better, but what pulled my attention first was unity.

So, I pulled up my YouVersion app and searched "unity". Let me share the four verses I was able to get to in this first sitting. I love comparing translations, so, I have provided easy access for you to compare the versions I did. The links go to the HCSB and the quotes are NLT. The italics are my notes from reading.

• Colossians 3:12-14 "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony."

Heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, acceptance, unconditional love <---Love is the perfect bonding quality for unity. Harmony!

•  Ephesians 4:1-3 "Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace."

Walk with humility, gentleness, patience, accepting one another in love. Diligently keeping unity (wrapping ourselves with bindings or peace) though the Holy Spirit with unconditional love (perfect peace).

• Ephesians 4:11-13 "Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ."

 God gave us all different gifts so we are able to build each other up as we press on to perfect unity; when Christ fulfills our faith by His return. Keep working diligently to be united in the mean time.

• John 17:23 "I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me."

By our unity though Christ the world will know the truth of Jesus; sent by God!

Strangely, I forgot about this until reading these verses, but my calling has something to do with cultivating unity in the church. I don't know what I'm supposed to do with this information. I don't know how to use my calling. Perhaps that's why I forgot about it. I got discouraged and frustrated.

It really bothers me that the global Christian church is so divided. We get so hung up on secondary issues we disagree on instead of celebrating what we have in common- Jesus. Biblically, that is NOT what God has for us. Diversity is beautiful!  Romans 12:4-5 says "Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other". Unity. Harmony!

So, I could go on but to sum up: I need to be praying specifically about unity and harmony in my Christian relationships. I need to be asking God what in the world He wants me to do with this weight He put on my heart. I'm just now realizing this goes back to "Fervent, Strategy #1: Passion". I had an obvious passion for this spiritual matter but I got discouraged and distracted which lead to a very dim passion.

End Note:

I did not address this in any posts but I feel I should. Satan does not make us do anything and not ever bad thing in our lives are from him. There are negative consequence that we created ourselves or someone else did and we get hit with its shrapnel. Yes, we have freewill! However, be on guard because he does subtly tempt, interject distractions or lies and stir our human nature. He knows our weaknesses, ungodly desires and pressure points. 

Priscilla does address this point, but for those of you who may never read the book I want to make that very clear. We CANNOT blame Satan for our  bad decisions, but we can pull the cover off of his strategies in our lives and fight against them. That is the point of this book. That is why we must pray seriously, specifically, and strategically! The fight is real. The enemy is real. But! God is real and His already won victory over Satan. Choose which side of the fence you land on. Your life literally depends on it.

I hope this series of my blog has been encouraging in your spiritual journey or relationship, regardless of where you are in life. I also hope that you are better equipped to see Satan's strategies against you growing closer to God. 

Beyond this I really, strongly, urge you to read "Fervent", by Priscilla Shirer!

I'm not sure what the next blogging adventure will be, but stay tuned!