The Beat-Up Bride

Paul tells Timothy, "Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned."

In life and on social media such men -- and sometimes women -- show up and just seem to love to stir the pot. Those the Bible says strain at gnats and swallow camels. You know those who major on the minors and want to divide the church over grey areas where there are differing opinions.

The Body of Christ is already scattered and broken -- it is the work of the enemy to divide true believers over incidentals. When Paul told the Corinthians, "The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life," I'll bet it was because they were bickering over unclear portions of Scripture and speculations.

Paul also told Timothy to "Solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers."

There is so much of that going on. We should be able to discuss our views on various matters in the spirit of friendship and sometimes even spirited conversations. But we need to know when to move on when and if those discussions turn into arguments or cause factions.
It's one thing to have discernment regarding false teachers and the leaven of false doctrines, but we also need discernment to know when we're being drawn into fights and strifes -- know when to walk away. Some things are not worth falling on your sword over.
The love of many waxing cold is a prophetic certainty and we're seeing it spread and doing much damage. 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem - and while you're at it, pray for the peace of the Bride of Christ who should be making herself ready about now.

Shalom!!

"Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord." - Heb 12:12-14

"Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord." --Rom 12:16-19