how does satan destroy love among brethren

How Does Satan Destroy Love Among Brethren

The key to understanding God’s will is the cross of Christ.

• We should not be surprised at the tactics of Satan.

• When working with other men we must constantly be humbled and because of that be willing to follow the wisdom of God. (James 3:13-18)


• James 3:13-18 - Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.


• 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.


• When we trust God it becomes all about Him and we empty ourselves.

• When brethren want to serve God there is not a problem we cannot work out.

• There will be some who seek to draw disciples unto themselves. (Acts 20:30)


• Acts 20:30 - "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.


• They will appear humble, loving and often have a great ability to speak. Sadly, they have a different motive than what is outwardly shown. (Rom 16:18; Col 2:18-19, 23)


• Romans 16:18 - For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. wisdom of Satan.


• Colossians 2:18-19 - Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. n.


• Colossians 2:23 - These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.


• How can I know when this is happening? How can I keep loved ones from being pulled into such a movement?

• Let us careful look at the difference in how children of God work out problems and those who submit to the wisdom of Satan.

The three pillars of false movements - the components of Satan’s wisdom (Jas 3:14)

• James 3:14 - But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.


• Bitterness towards brethren. (Heb 12:15)


• Hebrews 12:15 - looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;


• bitterness; literally, of plants that produce inedible or poisonous fruit, root that bears bitter fruit; used metaphorically of a person whose influence or actions become harmful to a community one who causes trouble (HE 12.15; ..); figuratively, as a hostile attitude (angry) resentment, animosity (EP 4.31)


• It is very easy to spread anger and bitterness. The world in not concerned with justice and mercy. They are quick to believe a falsehood! Let us not do this.

• The “anger family” can accomplish much in Satan’s plan. (Gal 5:19-21)


• Galatians 5:19-21 - Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.


• The unstable are especially vulnerable to this powerful emotion. (Eph 4:26-27)


• Ephesians 4:26-27 - "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.


• “I am so fed up with churches of Christ” or “These legalistic brethren are telling lies against me!”


• Pride towards brethren – (Jas 3:14; 1 Jn 2:16)


• James 3:14 - But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.


• Pride and bitterness are common partners. (Lk 18:9)


• Luke 18:9 - Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:


• Pride is often employed by those who have no foundation to artificially build one up. Many look down on their “ignorant” brethren. (1 Cor 8:1-3)


• 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 - Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.


• Pride rejoices in the faults of others. You live in the land of “throw-away” people. You write them off with no attempt to work with them.

• They often discuss the faults of brethren as a means of building themselves up. (2 Cor 10:12, 18)


• 2 Corinthians 10:12 - For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.


• 2 Corinthians 10:18 - For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.


• A learned dishonesty. (Lk 20:4-7)


• Luke 20:4-7 - "The baptism of John -- was it from heaven or from men?" 5 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 6 "But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet." 7 So they answered that they did not know where it was from.


• This creates a heart that cannot receive the word of God. (Lk 8:15 KJV)


• Luke 8:15 - But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.


• Men of faith and convict are open and bold. (2 Cor 4:2; 3:2; Jn 1:47)


• 2 Corinthians 4:2 - But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.


• 2 Corinthians 3:2 - You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;


• John 1:47 - Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!"


• One brother described a man’s preaching as “veiled subtleties that leave you uneasy after hearing the sermons.”

• They are always “misunderstood” and love to wear martyr’s clothes. (Quote)

• How did Jesus teach others? Why do men hide their beliefs? (Jn 18:20)


• John 18:20 - Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing.

Tools Satan uses to build his pillars

• Wedge issues – How are differences among brethren are handled?

• Satan’s wisdom works to build wedges between brethren, the love of Christ shows mercy and patience.

• “A crisis is a terrible thing to waste.”


• Consider how differences are exploited to achieve worldly goals. The love of God is very different. (1 Cor 13:4-7)


• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.


• Some issues: the term “church of Christ”, opposing “legalism,” how to best conduct our assemblies, use of restoration history, CENI and “worship.”

• By far, the biggest wedge issue used to spread bitterness amongst brethren is the care of the needy. This is not the first time where the needy are used as a prop and as a carnal tool. (Mt 6:1-4) (Quotes)


• Matthew 6:1-4 - "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.


• 3 "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 "that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.


• Secrecy and whispering – How is a fellowship is built upon bitterness and flattery? (1 Thess 2:3-6)


• (1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 NKJV) - For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. {4} But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.


• {5} For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness; God is witness. {6} Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.


• They complain about others “gossip” while they themselves work hard to destroy relationships with those that could answer their doctrine. “Ex. Don’t give this to Larry!”

• They do not have the spirit of open examination! (Acts 17:11; 2 Pt 2:1-3)


• Acts 17:11 - These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.


• 2 Peter 2:1-3 - But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.


• 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.


• They use emotion to separate them from others. (Gal 4:16-17)


• Galatians 4:16-17 - Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? 17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.


• Discarding your brethren• How do people suddenly rebel against an

eldership and destroy relationships that have been built for years? They have help. (1 Jn 2:9-11)


• 1 John 2:9-11 - He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.


• Consider what the scriptures describe as one being captured. (2 Pt 2:18-19)


• 2 Peter 2:18-19 - For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.


• I have been shocked to see the ridicule of brethren publicly. It is hard for those exposed to this over time to overcome it. Ex. Korah (Num 16:41)


• Numbers 16:41 - On the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You have killed the people of the LORD."


• Years ago I learned a truth from a proponent of the “house church movement.” The average life span of a house church is 2 years.

• These movements are a halfway house to denominationalism or worse.

• Doctrines that are favored are those which are different from the “traditional.”

How to defeat Satan’s battle plan

• We overcome darkness with the light! (Jn 3:19-21)


• John 3:19-21 - "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."


• We must make local churches as a place where a strong faith is built.

• We must solve problems and desire to be with each other. (Eph 4:31-32)


• Ephesians 4:31-32 - Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.


• We must give greater emphasis to Bible reading and Bible preaching. (2 Tim 4:1-4)


• 2 Timothy 4:1-4 - I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.


• 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.


• When God is in view then my actions will be changed. (1 Jn 4:20-21)


• 1 John 4:20-21 - If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.


• One brother recently said: “In the church the reading of the books of men is on the decrease and the reading of the Bible is on the decrease.”

• Consider how the writings of Francis Chan and David Platt are being used.

• Let us not become fearful but learn from these things to have a greater service.


• I do not believe that this current movement will last.

• What can I do to have an assurance with my God so that my heart overflows to be used by God as a servant? (1 Jn 4:17-19; Gal 5:22-26)


• 1 John 4:17-19 - Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.


• Galatians 5:22-26 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.


• We do need watchful elderships who will protect their flocks. Failure to do so will affect many.

• Let us have our eyes opened to God’s word to see the tactics of Satan!

how does satan destroy love among brethren

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