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Millard Kinnison on July 17, 2024

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Together in Christ: 'Biting, Devouring, Destroying?' — Galatians 5:15

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

— Galatians 5:15 NLT

Key Thought

Wow! Notice the strong words Paul used to describe the disagreements going on between brothers and sisters in Galatia — "biting... devouring... destroying"! We might be tempted to think of this as exaggerated preacher talk, except Paul used stronger language directed at those causing the problems and pain. [1]

One of the things Jesus' night with His disciples before His crucifixion teaches us is that our deepest wounds can be caused by those closest to us in God's family. Jesus' apostles betrayed, [2] denied, [3] and forsook [4] Him in His hour of deepest need. They couldn't even stay awake to pray with Him for an hour! [5]

Paul had openly persecuted disciples before His conversion experience as he approached Damascus to continue his persecution. [6] He knew the determination and vitriol of well-intentioned heretic hunters gone bad! Paul wanted to show these warring Christian believers in Galatia that freedom in Christ means freedom to serve and bless — not bite, devour, and destroy. Paul knew Jesus wanted His followers to be identified by their love for each other so the world could see God had sent Jesus to save and bless all people. [7]

Let's be extra careful in how we talk about each other in Christ. Let's ensure the mountain we are making isn't just a minor issue that is important only to us. If we are not careful, we will cause lasting damage to each other, our fellowship, and our influence on our communities! Let's "watch out" and not let our traditions, strong wills, and familiar ways of doing things create walls between each other, walls that Jesus didn't want to be built.

[1] Galatians 5:12.

[2] Luke 22:47-48.

[3] Luke 22:54-62.

[4] Mark 14:46-50.

[5] Mark 14:32-42.

[6] Acts 9:4-5, 22:4-8; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13; Philippians 3:6; 1 Timothy 1:13.

[7] John 13:34-35, 17:21, 23.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Father, forgive us — forgive me — for the times we have made mountains out of molehills and treated minnow-weight issues as if they were whale-weight issues. I know there are core doctrines of faith I cannot allow to be altered or scrapped. At the same time, dear Father, I don't want my pet peeves to be made into issues over which Your children fight and divide. Please help us, dear Holy Spirit, to know what is important to God and realize that everything important to You means treating each other with loving concern, not rancorous and hostile speech. [A] In Your name, Lord Jesus, I ask present this prayer. Amen.

[A] Ephesians 4:14-16.