There is a community of Christian people (which includes many denominations and some non-denominational churches) that I have been involved with who are very knowledgeable when it comes to matters of faith and have a firm grasp of the truth of the gospel. However, this community has many concerning blindspots where they do not seem able to understand or see some of the behaviors they engage in that conflict with Christian faith including unloving behavior toward those they disagree with and problems with pride and arrogance (these behaviors especially come out when it comes to things like politics; someone has suggested that this problem is not just affecting this community but the church as a whole these days when it comes to things like this). I seem to have developed some extremely negative feelings toward this community after witnessing these behaviors although I greatly appreciate them, their work and their standing for the truth. Please pray for this community and for me for how I feel about them. My own church is part of this community and sometimes I do run into issues with my church due to some people engaging in these behaviors I've mentioned. Thank you.
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We hear your heart and the struggle you are facing within this community you deeply care about. It is a painful thing to witness those who stand firm on the truth of the gospel yet stumble in love, humility, and grace toward others. Scripture reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:2, "If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing." Even the most theologically sound among us can become a clanging cymbal if love is absent. The pride and arrogance you describe are indeed dangerous snares, for Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." It is no small thing to see these behaviors manifest, especially when they are justified or overlooked in the name of standing for truth.
We must also address the political divisiveness you mentioned, for it has become a stumbling block in many Christian circles. Jesus prayed in John 17:21 that His followers would be one, just as He and the Father are one, so that the world may believe. When politics become a wedge that fractures unity, it grieves the heart of God. We are called to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16), but salt loses its savor when it is mixed with bitterness, and light is dimmed when it is used to cast shadows on others. The church must be a city on a hill, not a fortress of division.
For this community, we pray fervently that God would open their eyes to the log in their own collective eye (Matthew 7:3-5). May they see how their words and actions toward those they disagree with do not reflect the love of Christ. We ask the Holy Spirit to convict them of any pride or arrogance that has taken root, for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Father, soften their hearts and help them to see others through Your eyes—with compassion, patience, and a desire for reconciliation. May they be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19), and may their love for truth never outpace their love for people.
For you, dear brother or sister, we pray that God would heal the hurt and frustration you feel. It is not wrong to be grieved by sin, for even Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). But we ask that God would guard your heart from bitterness, for Hebrews 12:15 warns that bitterness can defile many. Help them to see these people not as enemies, but as fellow believers in need of grace—just as you are. Give them wisdom in how to navigate these relationships, especially within your own church. May they speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) when opportunities arise, and may their life be a testimony of Christ’s humility and grace. We pray that God would fill them with His peace, even in the midst of this tension, and that He would use them as an instrument of healing in this community.
We also want to encourage you to remember that no church or community is perfect, for we are all works in progress. Even the early church struggled with division, as seen in the letters to the Corinthians and Galatians. Yet God used those very struggles to refine His people and bring about growth. Perhaps God has placed you in this community for such a time as this—to be a voice of love and humility in the midst of pride and division. Do not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9), for your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Lastly, we must remind you and this community that our ultimate allegiance is not to a political party, a denomination, or even a particular interpretation of Scripture, but to Jesus Christ alone. It is only through His name that we have access to the Father (John 14:6), and it is only by His blood that we are saved (Ephesians 1:7). May this truth anchor you and this community, and may it remind you that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and may He be the one who unites us in love and truth.
We must also address the political divisiveness you mentioned, for it has become a stumbling block in many Christian circles. Jesus prayed in John 17:21 that His followers would be one, just as He and the Father are one, so that the world may believe. When politics become a wedge that fractures unity, it grieves the heart of God. We are called to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16), but salt loses its savor when it is mixed with bitterness, and light is dimmed when it is used to cast shadows on others. The church must be a city on a hill, not a fortress of division.
For this community, we pray fervently that God would open their eyes to the log in their own collective eye (Matthew 7:3-5). May they see how their words and actions toward those they disagree with do not reflect the love of Christ. We ask the Holy Spirit to convict them of any pride or arrogance that has taken root, for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Father, soften their hearts and help them to see others through Your eyes—with compassion, patience, and a desire for reconciliation. May they be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19), and may their love for truth never outpace their love for people.
For you, dear brother or sister, we pray that God would heal the hurt and frustration you feel. It is not wrong to be grieved by sin, for even Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). But we ask that God would guard your heart from bitterness, for Hebrews 12:15 warns that bitterness can defile many. Help them to see these people not as enemies, but as fellow believers in need of grace—just as you are. Give them wisdom in how to navigate these relationships, especially within your own church. May they speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) when opportunities arise, and may their life be a testimony of Christ’s humility and grace. We pray that God would fill them with His peace, even in the midst of this tension, and that He would use them as an instrument of healing in this community.
We also want to encourage you to remember that no church or community is perfect, for we are all works in progress. Even the early church struggled with division, as seen in the letters to the Corinthians and Galatians. Yet God used those very struggles to refine His people and bring about growth. Perhaps God has placed you in this community for such a time as this—to be a voice of love and humility in the midst of pride and division. Do not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9), for your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Lastly, we must remind you and this community that our ultimate allegiance is not to a political party, a denomination, or even a particular interpretation of Scripture, but to Jesus Christ alone. It is only through His name that we have access to the Father (John 14:6), and it is only by His blood that we are saved (Ephesians 1:7). May this truth anchor you and this community, and may it remind you that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and may He be the one who unites us in love and truth.
We've been reflecting on your post and want to share some more thoughts with you. It's tough to see people we care about struggling with blind spots, especially when it comes to love and humility. We're reminded of the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18. The Pharisee, proud and self-righteous, left the temple unheard by God. The tax collector, humble and repentant, went home justified. Let's pray that our community would have the heart of the tax collector, recognizing our need for God's mercy and grace.
We also want to lift up the importance of unity in the body of Christ. In Ephesians 4:3, we're called to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." When we allow politics or disagreements to divide us, we're not reflecting the heart of Christ. Let's pray for a spirit of unity and love to permeate our community, even in the midst of differences.
For you, dear friend, we pray that God would give you wisdom and grace as you navigate these relationships. Remember, you're not alone in this. We're all in this together, and we're all works in progress. Let's keep encouraging one another, building each other up in love (1 Thessalonians 4:18), and pointing each other back to Jesus.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
We also want to lift up the importance of unity in the body of Christ. In Ephesians 4:3, we're called to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." When we allow politics or disagreements to divide us, we're not reflecting the heart of Christ. Let's pray for a spirit of unity and love to permeate our community, even in the midst of differences.
For you, dear friend, we pray that God would give you wisdom and grace as you navigate these relationships. Remember, you're not alone in this. We're all in this together, and we're all works in progress. Let's keep encouraging one another, building each other up in love (1 Thessalonians 4:18), and pointing each other back to Jesus.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
The Encourager
The Encourager
May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy.
Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.
God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God solution focused heart, mind, spirit, and attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God solution focused heart, mind, spirit, and attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net
Healed Spirit Soul And Body
Healed Spirit Soul And Body
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
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