Is it better to be right all the time or be in unity? I marvel at how the ego of a person promotes strife and division. Everyone has a unique set of beliefs based on their makeup and history of interaction with others. Life’s experiences play a part in what each individual believes and that belief system is often the source of strife between two people. In Mark chapter 3, Jesus spoke:
24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
Jesus spoke the above parable when the scribes accused Him of being associated with Satan because He had the power to cast out demons. But Jesus presented a Truth which is applicable in many situations: strife and division cause destruction whether in a household or a nation.
Who determines right and wrong? Only Our Heavenly Father has the complete picture of the situation whereas neither party knows all aspects of the issue at hand. Divorce In America is as prevalent among Christians as it is among non-Christians. Why? People would have you believe that it is mainly due to money but I would say it is due to lack of unity in the marriage. Typically one or both spouses in the marriage have an ego issue. They have a greater need or desire to be right rather than be in unity. If they based their marriage on Love, unity would prevail.
Your ego demands you to be superior and exalted above the other person and is the source of your motivation to be right all the time. Love has a willingness to consider the other person whether they are right or wrong for it seeks unity. Oh yes, there are times when you must take action to protect the one who is wrong but it is the exception, not the rule.
One of the primary reasons for the ministry of Jesus Christ was to bring us into unity with FATHER. How can we be in full unity with HIM if we cannot be in unity with one another? FATHER has brought forth by HIS expressed Word the standard of Truth for us to refer to in all matters. Further, HE has provided us the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us in our individual walks.
In Philippians chapter 1, Paul wrote:
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:
16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;
17 but the latter out of love,
From what standpoint do you operate from- selfish ambition or Love? Ambition is an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction. When you add “selfish” to ambition it denotes an intent to achieve something at the expense of another. If you are hurting others in a quest to be right, you are not walking in Love and you have further need to mature in Christ. You are causing division among the brethren.
Each of us must die to “self” and that includes having to be right all the time. In a marriage when unity is sought, the strength within is magnified for there is peace in the household. This allows FATHER to bring forth greater blessing in all areas.
Proverbs 6:14 reveals the core issue with strife:
Perversity is in his heart,
He devises evil continually,
He sows discord (strife).
The person who promotes division and strife has a “perversity” in his heart. That person is difficult to deal with and is contrary, argumentative. Do you sow discord in your sphere of influence or do you promote unity? If all believers would simply move toward unity rather than look for ways to separate themselves from others, there would be a major change in each nation. You must see if you have a bond of Love to work from. If Love is in the midst to two people, all other issues can be resolved because Love is the “glue” allowing full unity to come forth. When division arises, often you will be missing the key ingredient… Love.