Loyalty To Christ Will Bring Division

Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

Matthew 10:34-36

When it comes to our earthly life, we don’t get to choose when, where, and to whom we are born. Although we can choose our spouse in adulthood, the family in which we were born is beyond our control. Some may find themselves blessed, in a godly, loving, family while others may not be as pleased with their relatives. But whatever situation we may find ourselves in, one thing is for sure, spiritual division is real and can be at the center of any family that is not like-minded.

There is an old adage, “birds of a feather flock together.” This can be observed in much of life ranging all the way from grade school right on into adulthood. We just feel more at home, more comfortable, and safer around those with whom we agree. Shared interests, beliefs, priorities, and loyalties help to fuse together very strong bonds among people, including family members. But when there is a shortage of like-mindedness in interests, beliefs, priorities, and loyalties, division and strife can creep into the family, creating tension. And often this tension can manifest itself in a general disinterest in spending time with the other members of the family. Couple that with the number of blended families in our culture today and we have a recipe for strife within the family unit.

The Bible is not silent on this reality. Consider the words of Jesus:

Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

Matthew 10:34-36

Jesus is telling us what to expect when there is spiritual division within a family. Peace is what we hope and pray for but the reality is that strife and division can become real entities in a spiritually divided family. This should not surprise us. Consider the words of Paul:

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?

        2 Corinthians 6:14-16a

We shouldn’t read over this passage too quickly. Look at all of the opposites that Paul mentions. Righteousness vs lawlessness, light vs darkness, Christ vs Belial (Satan), believers vs unbelievers, and the temple of God vs worshiping idols. Far beyond any political differences or sports team rivalries is the difference between those who belong to Christ and those who do not. It’s no wonder that Jesus reminds us that in a spiritually divided family, “a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.” 

Jesus experienced this is His earthly ministry. Christ was not even able to do many miracles in His own hometown because of their disbelief (Mark 6:3-6). And He warns us of the same. Consider His words:

If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

    John 15:18-19

He specifically says that if we were to behave like the world and live like the world and value the things that the world values, that no doubt, we would be accepted by them. But because we have been called out of the world to be different, it is because of this affiliation with Christ that the world hates us. Peter reminds us of the same expectation:

For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign (insult) you…

      1 Peter 4:3-4

Unbelievers are quite baffled with the change that occurs in the life of a born again believer in Jesus. Even among the religious, there may be confusion, dismay, and perhaps even anger from those without Christ. Often, instead of running to the gospel themselves, a decision is made to double down on a worldly outlook and lifestyle and they are quite disappointed that the Christian is no longer willing to participate in their behavior and activities. As Peter reminds us, as did Jesus, it is because of the change within a Christian that brings about this verbal persecution. 

The reality is this: the people who are closest to us (our family) should be the easiest to reach with the gospel. But many find the opposite reality in their lives. Instead of family being the easiest to reach, they often become the most resistant and difficult. But a word of encouragement needs to be mentioned at this point. As long as we continue to have unbelief in our families, we should never stop praying and asking God to do the work of removing those spiritual barriers. But make no mistake about it, it is not religion that is the dividing point. It is Christ alone and one’s decision to receive or reject Him that makes the division in a family that is not spiritually like-minded. The Bible warns against marrying someone who does not possess a desire to follow Christ but often that mistake is made long before the individual realizes that it has been made. But it is never too late to see salvation come to a family whose members are willing to surrender their lives to Christ!

Finally, nothing about spiritual division is easy. It can be quite painful to watch loved ones go throughout their lives without the slightest concern about their spiritual condition or eternity itself. Content to chase the world, money, religion, or whatever else sets itself up as of more importance, many will miss out on true, abundant life here on earth and even more tragic, miss out on eternity with God. So while it may not be easy to live with these spiritual divisions, it is imperative that we make a choice. We have to decide whether we are going to live our lives to please other people or whether we going to live in a way that is pleasing to Christ. Remember, Jesus said that He (the choice to choose or reject Him as Lord) is what will being the division. Here is hoping that we are all making the choice to prioritize godly living over all other pursuits!