One of the purposes of seeking to bring coordination to the Church is that we function in accordance with the oneness we have in Christ. We’re to mirror the oneness between the Godhead which will serve as a witness to the world around us (Jn. 17:20-21). Satan, God’s enemy, doesn’t want that to happen so he will do want he can to thwart God’s purposes.
Ways the Enemy Gets Us to Avoid Coordinating with One Another
God specializes in bringing unity out of diversity. We’re better when we bring all of our differences together (1 Cor. 12:4-6, 12). But, Satan will scheme and try to deceive us into seeing coordination as a bad thing rather than the good God intends. He will try to get us to …
- view our differences as liabilities rather than assets (Eph. 2:14-24)
- let disagreements destroy rather than learn from one another (Rom. 14:15-19)
- manipulate to get our way rather than speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:14-15, 22-27)
- think and act like we’re in control rather than looking to the One who is the Head who will unite us (Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:15-16)
- make the church according to our liking rather than God’s design of interdependence and unity (1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 4:1-6)
- base coordination on common interests and comradeship rather than the fellowship we have in Christ (Phil. 2:1-4)
- compare and compete with one another rather than genuinely accept and affirm the part each one has in the Body (Eph. 4:16; Phil. 2:3-7)
- become cliquish rather than work toward the good of the whole (1 Cor. 12:27)
In so doing, we’re fighting each other rather than the real enemy (Eph. 6:12).
Don’t Let Satan Outwit and Divide
Though Satan seeks to destroy unity so we don’t function as a coordinated whole, we can overcome. We don’t have to be rendered ineffective when we’re “strong in the Lord and His mighty power” (Eph. 6:10). Let’s do the following:
- Acknowledge the real source of disunity and don’t give the enemy a foothold. (Eph. 4:22-27; 6:10-12)
- Believe that God is greater than Satan so we do have power to overcome. (1 Jn. 4:4)
- Put aside worldly solutions and pull on God’s power to be the Church of His design. (2 Cor. 10:3-4; Eph. 6:10-13)
- Stay alert rather than merely coasting along expecting that everything will be okay. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Pet. 5:8)
- Identify the lies and schemes of the devil and combat them with truth. (2 Cor. 10:5; Eph. 6:14)
- Resist the devil’s ploys by putting faith in the One who wins in the end. (1 Pet. 5:8-9)
Also Read: Church’s Power: Spiritual Weaponry
For More: Resources on Divine Weapons for Spiritual Warfare
All Posts about Coordination:
- Motivation for Coordination
- Means of Coordination
- Coordination Integral to God’s Design
- Coordination Governed by the Great Commission
- Coordination Showcases Christ
- Coordination in Submission to Christ
- Coordination in the Church is Possible
- Coordination Founded Upon the Gospel
- Grace to Hurdle Obstacles to Coordination
- Holy Spirit Essential to Coordination
- Spiritual Gifts Useful to Coordination
- Motivational Effect of His Name to Coordination
- Does Your Church Function as a Coordinated Whole?
- Jesus’ Resurrection Takes Coordination to New Heights
- Jesus’ Resurrection Provides the Keys to Coordination
- Coordinating with One Another, Not Outwitted by the Enemy
- God’s Word Gets Us Singing the Same Song
- Guide the Body to the Source That Holds Us Together
- Prayer Essential to Coordination
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit – all distinct persons yet one
Thanks for the reminder of this important truth, Pastor Bill. Each member of the Godhead fulfills different roles yet they’re coordinated in purpose, bringing them together in perfect unity. May we grab hold of His power to overcome so we are one in similar fashion as Jesus prayed for us in John 17:20-24.