Seeking Jesus First Dec. 9, 2025
We are not ignorant of the devil’s divisiveness. We are not ignorant of God’s love for all. We are not ignorant of the unity of God. We are not ignorant of the unity of the body of Christ. We are not ignorant of the command to love one another as He has loved us and has given Himself for us.
Why do we bite and devour one another?
“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:13–16, NKJV)
James Chapter 4 tells us that division and fighting among us are the result of lustful pursuits. When we desire pleasure instead of God, we become selfish. Our prayers go unanswered when we pursue the lust of the flesh. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. James 4 goes on to say, “Submit to God and resist the devil.” James tells us that we should desire God first and draw near to Him. We do this by turning away from the sinful desires of the flesh and turning toward God.
When we are loving and humble, our prayers of faith will be answered. Faith works by love. Love is patient and kind. The LORD chastens us according to His love for us. We are His dearly beloved children. This week, I believe The LORD is issuing a strong rebuke towards anger and divisiveness. We are God’s children. We do not make excuses for the works of the flesh. We repent from them.
“Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” (Ephesians 4:25–5:2, NKJV)
LORD, I repent for every evil, divisive, angry and sinful word that has come out of my mouth. Holy Spirit come and be a watch before the door of my mouth. Search my heart, O God, reveal to me anything that is not like you. Cleanse me from secret sin and from all bitterness. I receive the mind of Christ, the heart of The Father and the power of The Spirit, I the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.