Divide and Conquer

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

“Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.”   Matthew 12:25

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“I (Paul) appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”  1 Corinthians 1:10

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“ So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”  1 Corinthians 3:21-23

The divide and conquer strategy is used by manipulative leaders. It is their prime tool to gain control over people. In today’s culture, this method is constantly employed in business, government, and social networks.

In business, there is profit to be made from fear. For example, we witness how the news media positions their headlines. They are written to cause emotional trauma between people. The sole purpose is to generate traffic to increase their ad revenue.

There are also votes to be gained within government power structures. If the opposing party stands up for an idea, their side takes the other side. The outcome is an us against them mentality. The more fear they can produce, the greater financial support they are able to generate. They play each side against one another to distract from their real agendas.

These bad actors don’t truly care for unity. Instead they ask themselves what profit or popularity is there to gain? The power masses generally don’t care for the people. They only want more of what they have. Divisiveness is their tool to manipulate you.

The early Corinth church dealt with a similar us against them mentality. Groups were being formed to support their man. Some claimed they only followed the teachings of Apollos. Others sided with Paul. Others with Peter. And of course some only Christ. The faith community was becoming divisive.

Paul’s solution was for everyone to refocus on God through Christ. That God’s servant leaders only exercised their gifts and functions to support Christ’s work. Some planted. Others watered. But God gives the growth. So, be grateful for the people who are serving you. We all share in the bounty of Christ. You are HIS. HE is for you. Let everyone work together for God’s glory and good.

Don’t play the divisiveness game. Be aware when you are being manipulated to play their game. Instead, focus on what the Spirit is doing for the glory of Christ and God. Don’t let them divide you from each other. Ask Jesus to intervene for you. To show you how best to act in the situation.

Jesus was aware of this maneuver (Mt.12). He called it out. You can do the same.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Role of Government

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.   Isaiah 9:7

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Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.   Psalm 89:14

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Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.   Matthew 6:10

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Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.   Matthew 25:34

Most governments operate from a top-down sphere. Those at the top exercise lordship. They control others to produce the end result they desire. God’s government though operates differently. HE works through the hearts of all. God unleashes the individual to serve others. The govern lead by following the Spirit that resides in them.

Today’s government bureaucrats design systems to benefit themselves rather than the citizen. Visit any DMV and notice how the center of their operations are the employees, not the citizen. Policies are established for the employee sake, not the citizen. When one enters the room, one quickly recognizes the bureaucracy of the process. The citizen is expected to jump through all the hoops to make it easier for the government employee.

Likewise, standards are established for the masses. But if you are a privileged person, you get preferred treatment. Everyone must follow the rules except those who they determine don’t have too. Justice is now determined by those in power.  Those citizens who don’t agree with their viewpoint are treated as second-class peons.

As a society, we have murdered the concept of justice and righteousness. We ignore the Creator’s instructions for human relationships and governmental operations. The end result is people suffer. When a society loses sight of the government’s primary purpose, the people always suffer.

Those in power pursue ambitions rather than altruistic service to their fellow citizens. Again, they have thrown out God’s instructions of leadership. In its place, they follow principles of lordship.

If they knew God, they would see the beauty of HIS ways. They would recognize the importance of justice and righteousness for all. They would be committed to serve their fellow citizens in love and faithfulness. They would seek what is best for all rather than reward their personal donors. They would not make exceptions that would only benefit a few. Justice would be blind. The same rule would apply to the rich and poor. The formally educated or uneducated. The right extremist and well as the left ones. The liberal and the conservative. Everyone would abide by the same standards.

This is how God’s government operates. Everyone is included under Jesus Christ. He is King. His word and purpose is the standard of righteousness and justice. As we follow HIM, he shares HIS Spirit within us. We follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. There are very few rules and laws to follow in God’s Kingdom. Everyone is treated with love and respect. Everyone is a child of the living God and thus is valued by God and others within HIS government.

Bureaucracy doesn’t not exist in God’s government. Each citizen serves the other as they would want to be served. But of course, human nature doesn’t want God’s Spirit leading them. They want the benefits without the responsibility and accountability. They want to be lord of the house. But they lack the character and willpower to lead and serve like Jesus. They do not want to be told what to do. But rather create the rules for others to follow. They are above the rules. They are the exception. They are the elite.

What they don’t see is how blind, poor, and ignorant they are. They compare themselves to others in their insecurity. But when they look in the mirror of Jesus, they fall short. So they destroy the mirror and live in their self-denial and fantasy world of make believe. The sad truth though, they inflict pain and suffering on those they lead or influence. If they ran a business, the owner would fire them. But because they are in a position of power, there is no one in their way.

God’s government, HIS Kingdom, sets the standard for all to follow. When practiced, the people prosper. When ignored, the people suffer. I pray that HIS Kingdom fully comes sooner than later.  

PS: For those who want an in-depth study of Biblical principles of government, the Institute for Principle Studies offers a course. I have no association with their organization and only make this suggestion for those who want to know more. There link is: https://principlestudies.org/product/biblical-principles-of-government-course/

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

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Being Sick Stinks

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind to give every man according to his ways,
    according to the fruit of his deeds.”   Jeremiah 17:9-10

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And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”   Mark 2:17

This past month, I’ve been out of circulation dealing with an upper respiratory flu bug. Normally, I would quickly recover from any type of virus or bacterial infection. But this one knocked me to the ground. The fever did not leave me until the 10th day. Only then did the congestion knot tied around my upper chest begin to dissipate. But the process was very slow. I slept nine to ten hours per night. My normal habit is around seven. But nothing is normal when sick.

While sick, I tried reading. But nothing would register in the mind. I strolled through YouTube, but ask me several hours later what I watched and I couldn’t tell you. Brain fog buries everything.

As I write this I am still hacking. I have also lost my voice through the process. Nothing serious I hope. Healing takes time. Hopefully, when you read this my voice has returned and I have resumed a normal life.

While sick, I also took the time to be thankful. For what? Many things. First, for living in a society where medicine, expertise, and support is available. Where I have people who care for me when down. Where I am sheltered and safe from outside forces. Where with rest and good food I can recuperate.

Yet as I focus on the physical aspects of sickness, my heart goes to those whose souls are sick. Who live life in a stupor. Who are constantly walking around with psychological and emotional trauma issues. They are sick with joyless symptoms, but don’t recognize the problem. Or they don’t have the internal fortitude and character to make the necessary changes in their life.

Yes, God has created the body to heal itself. When sick with a cold, time, rest, and proper nutrients help the body to recover. He has also made a way for us to heal spiritually. HIS name is Jesus. When we come to develop a relationship with HIM, HE provides the means and solution for the healing of our souls.

Yes sickness stinks. But Jesus heals.

He cares for both our physical and spiritual needs. The challenge is when our physical house is in disarray, our spiritual world is ignored. Jesus knows. In His ministry, HE would first heal the people’s physical ailment. Then HE introduced them to the spiritual side of the equation. He fed five thousand with both physical food and spiritual nourishment. Jesus knows both are needed to live a fulfilled life. He shows us the way. He is concern for our physical health AND our spiritual wealth. So yes sin stinks, but Jesus heals. He is concern for your physical and spiritual needs. But are you?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved