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Topic: Division Weakens
[DCLM Daily Manna 15 May 2020 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: Luke 11:14-28
14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.
16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
KEY VERSE: “But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.” – (Luke 11:17)
MESSAGE:
One military strategy that an enemynation uses to defeat an army considered strong and impenetrable is to try to infiltrate its rank and file by introducing a fifth column within it. This is a group within the army that is sympathetic to the enemy nation and works for it. If such crack is successfully introduced and is not quickly discovered, it can completely wreck the army, making it to suffer a lot of casualties and a possible eventual defeat.
This is a practical example of how division within a group can result in the downfall of that group. As Jesus responded to the allegation of the Jews that He cast out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the chief of devils, He told them how practically impossible this was. It will mean that the devil is divided against itself and if that is the case, its house cannot stand. Jesus explained further that as long as a strong army, house or kingdom stays united, it will be difficult for it to be defeated by the enemy.
This teaching of Christ clearly shows why oneness is important to keep a group strong and unconquerable by the enemy. However sophisticated the armoury of an army is, no matter how richly endowed a family may be, and however spiritual a church may appear to be, if there is division within, downfall is certain to follow.
This is a call therefore for every Christian to be united with Christ. As long as we determine to agree with Christ, accept Him and His word as Lord and supreme, it will be easy to agree with one another and stay as one. We must put aside all issues that can cause division among us and determine to work for the unity of the fold. Once this is done, nothing can divide or defeat us. Do not allow division to cause our downfall. Let us be one. Unity pays!
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: A threefold cord is not quickly broken!
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Corinthians 10-13
