Keeping an Eye on the Real Enemy

Keeping an Eye on the Real Enemy
Saturday, March 21, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”

Galatians 5:13–15

In the late 1800s, a civil war in the Samoan Islands sparked international worry. The various world powers that had influence in the region feared the loss of their preferred status so they backed different sides in the conflict. Warships from Germany, Great Britain, and the United States converged on Samoa. They remained in a standoff in Apia Harbor, unwilling to actually fight, but also unwilling to leave and allow another nation to gain influence. The standoff continued for weeks until a massive cyclone wrecked all six warships in the harbor. The power of the wind and waves didn’t care about the different sides or their opinions, but equally struck them all.

There are some battles that are worth fighting and we must not shirk from standing for the truth and doing what is right, even if it requires a battle. But there are other battles that simply are not worth fighting, and can instead distract us from the real enemy. And we have a real enemy to fight. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

A division or conflict that arises because of a stand for truth is very different from one that arises from a stand for preference. Without lowering our standards, we should make every effort to avoid conflict with other Christians. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). Our strength should be devoted to fighting against the devil.

Today's Growth Principle:
We should never allow minor disagreements to divide us from true Christians committed to following Christ.