What steps can we take to prevent division, inspired by Judges 20:15? Setting the Scene Judges 20:15 records, “On that day the Benjamites mustered from their cities twenty-six thousand men armed with swords, besides seven hundred chosen men from Gibeah.” The tribe rallied around its own offenders instead of dealing with sin, and the result was a civil war that cost thousands of lives. Their misplaced loyalty exposes how division festers when sin is protected rather than confronted. Spotting the Seed of Division • Hidden or excused sin (Judges 20:13) • Loyalty to group over loyalty to God (Jeremiah 17:5) • Failure to seek God’s will first (Judges 20:18) • Pride that refuses correction (Proverbs 13:10) Steps to Safeguard Unity 1. Address Sin Quickly and Righteously • “If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately.” (Matthew 18:15) • Early, loving confrontation limits spread of offense (Proverbs 17:14). 2. Put Truth above Tribalism • Benjamin rallied around Gibeah; we rally around Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10). • Unity built on truth withstands pressure (Ephesians 4:25). 3. Seek God’s Counsel First • Israel eventually inquired of the LORD (Judges 20:18), but only after lines were drawn. • “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…” (Proverbs 3:5-6). 4. Walk in Humility and Mutual Submission • “Walk worthy… with all humility and gentleness.” (Ephesians 4:1-3) • Humility disarms pride that fuels division (James 3:16-18). 5. Guard Hearts and Tongues • Rash words ignite conflicts (Proverbs 15:1). • Choose speech that “gives grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29) 6. Practice Relational Accountability • Invite brothers and sisters to speak truth into your life (Galatians 6:1-2). • Leaders must uphold discipline impartially (1 Timothy 5:20-21). 7. Prioritize Reconciliation over Reputation • Jesus commands leaving gifts at the altar to reconcile first (Matthew 5:23-24). • Division ends when restored relationships matter more than saving face. 8. Celebrate Shared Identity in Christ • “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” (Psalm 133:1) • Regular fellowship, worship, and service remind us we are one body (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). Scripture at Work Today Benjamin’s misplaced solidarity warns against shielding sin for the sake of image. By confronting wrong, submitting to God’s Word, and pursuing reconciliation, we prevent the breaches that tear families, churches, and communities apart. When unified around Christ, the world sees the answer to Jesus’ prayer: “that all of them may be one… so that the world may believe” (John 17:21). Closing Reflection Division loses its grip when God’s people prize holiness over partisanship, truth over tradition, and love over pride. In obeying His Word, we nurture the harmony our Savior died to secure. |
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