Disarming the Weapon
What’s fueling division in your life—and how do you stop it before it spreads?
A Kingdom Torn in Two
When Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. - I Kings 11:4
My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions. - I Kings 12:14
What is Division?
It’s not a spirit, it’s a weapon.
A weapon that is the fruit of demonic influence.
17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. - Romans 16:17-18
As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. - Titus 3:10-11
24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. - Mark 3:24-25
Division Starts with the Mouth—But It’s Fueled by the Heart
The truth is, most division doesn’t start with big events. It starts with small sparks.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. - James 3:5-9
Division doesn’t start with your lips. It starts with your heart.
Heat = Anger
But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. - Romans 2:8
You can’t bring peace with a mouth that’s fueled by unresolved anger.
Wind = Selfish Ambition
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools. - Ecclesiastes 7:9
When self is the center, unity becomes impossible.
You can’t build unity with someone who’s always fighting to win.
Drought = Unforgiveness
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. - Matthew 6:14-15
forgiveness means you no longer hold it against them. That’s what God does for us.
So, if you say you forgive, but your pattern is to bring it back up in an argument, or use it as self defense, you have not forgiven them.
You’re still using it as a weapon against the person.
Healing the Heart Before It Burns Everything Down
If the mouth is the spark, and the heart is the fuel, then trying to fix this with behavior alone won’t work.
You don’t stop wildfires by taping over the flames.
You have to deal with the conditions underneath.
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” - Matthew 12:33-37
If you’ve been speaking out of anger, or pushing people away with pride, or refusing to let go of offense… You don’t just have a communication problem. You have a heart problem.
God, heal my heart so that healing can come out of my mouth.
Reflective Questions
Where is the heat of anger building up in me?
Where is the wind of selfish ambition pushing others away?
Where has the drought of unforgiveness dried out my joy, love, and peace?