and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
I John 4:3 NKJV
5. Division _discourages_ church leadership and personal ministry.
Takeaway:
The scars and anguish of division can be long-lasting pain that reaps negative influences for ministry.
5 things to remember when discouragement divides:
1. Remember that God _loves_ _you_.
for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?
I Corinthians 3:3-4 ESV
2. Remember discouragement isn’t _permanent_.
As hard as it is- It won’t last!
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.
II Corinthians 1:3-5 NLT
3. Remember that ministry (relationships) are _messy_ and hard work.
4. Remember who you are in Christ.
Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
II Peter 1:10-11 NKJV
- Stand firm in God’s grace.
- Refuse to allow your feelings or others opinions to crumble the foundation of your calling and destiny.
5. Remember God’s victories through you.
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:3-6 ESV
Because God used you in the past, He is going to use you in the present. So don’t be discouraged.
Dismiss Discouragement!!!
The Spirit of God and His Kingdom and that of the spirit of antichrist (discouragement) CAN NOT and SHOULD NOT coexist.
for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Romans 14:17-18 KJV
6. Division effects _generations_ away from the church.
Takeaway:
The biggest excuse and reason to avoid church today is division, hurt and hypocrisy.
that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored , all rejoice together.
I Corinthians 12:25-26 ESV
7. Division gives the enemy _victory_.
Satan’s Strategies-
The Devil’s Division of our minds and hearts.
1. He directs our attention toward “our” need or “our” desire.
2. He chooses times when we are the _weakest_.
3. He creates _doubts_ in our minds.
4. He uses deception as a key weapon.
5. His ultimate goal is to destroy__ us.
Takeaway:
We ignore Satan’s demonic strategy and follow his lead when we turn against one another.
The answer and eternal solution for victory over the spirit of antichrist is Jesus who empowers us through His Holy Spirit.
But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit wo lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
I John 4:4 NLT
for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Romans 14:17-18 KJV
Any fool can count the number of seeds in an apple. But only God can count the number of apples in a seed.
-Warren Wearsby