“Let love and kindness be the motivation behind all that you do.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

There’s a saying I’ve heard for a while… “The Christian army is the only army in the world that shoots its wounded.” This statement may not be 100% accurate if you want to get legalistic… but that is my point!

So much legalistic, self-righteous criticism is “cloaked” in the disguise of “wanting truth to be known”. The art of decimating one another is a skill that has been finely honed in the Body of Christ. There’s no need for an “enemy” because we do an amazing job of criticizing, breaking one another down, and mocking other Believers, ministries and the like. We rejoice in their downfall, rather than coming to a brother in love and seeking restoration – being someone who extends healing.

We are inundated with articles and posts criticizing “performance-based praise and worship” or tearing down a worship leader or songwriter because he writes sub-standard lyrics (although many of his songs have blessed me tremendously)… Or we take delight in “ministries” aimed at exposing all the heresy it finds in other ministries… calling a certain ministry’s praise and worship “hype”… attacking ministers and totally negating the powerful impact his call to prayer has had and will have all because you don’t agree with his theology 100% or say he’s not qualified.

I’m so over that. The enemy does not need to even use unbelievers to divide us because THE BODY causes separation and hurt and pain and bitterness and unforgiveness and division and brokenness upon itself…..and it’s done in the name of righteousness.

While I recognize that there is a place for conviction, repentance and reconciliation – so often my heart is grieved because we’ve replaced those with condemnation, shaming and penance. One has love as it’s motive, the other is driven by bitterness or hate.

I wish I could eradicate every post that comes up in my feed that is negatively motivated, so that I wouldn’t even be tempted to read articles aimed specifically to bring disharmony and disunity. Why do we perpetuate this stuff?? If we see a ministry in the throes of a major crisis, do we pray that as little damage would be done to God’s work, or do we rejoice because they “had it coming”?? What’s our heart???

I’m waiting for the real Body to start truly emulating Love, and demonstrating His attributes. That’s what the broken world is looking for… not self-righteous Pharisees, but real men and women who are not perfect. Ones who love Jesus and are willing to extend that love and healing to others the way it was extended to them… What would our impact be then?

It all starts with Love – capitalized for a reason! From my vantage point, it sure doesn’t look like Christianity is winning this war. Ask yourself: am I building up or trashing someone else or a ministry? Your honest answer tells you which “side” you’re helping…

This world needs a real representation of Jesus.

Are you, am I, ready to be that to this lost and dying world?

Check Out These Other Blog Posts

More than Equals Banner Image
Bible Topics
Rev. Ron Wood

More Than Equals – Women on Paul’s Team

Let’s examine an important issue in many parts of the Body of Christ. Biblically, “What is the role of women in the church?” As a prophetic reformer, I have an assignment. I’m trying to *write my vision and make it plain* so *leaders can run with it*! I’m for church growth, evangelism, and the Great Commission!

Read More »
It's Personal With Jesus Blog Post
Challenge
Rev. Ron Wood

It’s Personal With Jesus

Recently, one morning, I asked the Lord, “What do you want to show me today?” I heard words quoted to me that Jesus had spoken to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb. “Stop clinging to Me for I have not yet ascended to My Father.”

Strange! What could that possibly mean?

Read More »
Fathering into Maturity blog post banner
Challenge
Jason Holland

Fathering Into Maturity

For the past 11 years, I have been fixated on the idea of deep, healthy discipleship. My life’s mission has been to bring a systematic approach to growth and spiritual maturity to the nations. I remember one day when I was running in the sweltering Texas heat, how the Lord spoke very clearly to me about my future. While He may not have given me all the nitty-gritty details, He did make a few things very clear to me.

Read More »