Stop, in the name of Unity

Unity is a gift from God, and it is something that we should all seek to embody in our daily lives. Romans 15:5, the Bible speaks of the source of great endurance and comfort that comes from Unity among ourselves. This Unity, it states, is a result of our relationship with Jesus, the Anointed One. This Unity is vital to living out the teachings of Jesus in our lives, as it allows us to draw closer to each other and to God. It gives us the strength to stand together as a community and to work together as a team. When we strive to embody Unity in our lives, we can experience a deep connection with God and each other. This connection gives us the power to face any challenge that life throws at us and to find joy in the midst of any hardship.

Now may God, the source of great endurance and comfort, grace you with unity among yourselves, which flows from your relationship with Jesus, the Anointed One.
Romans 15:5

So stop being critical and condemning of other believers,

At the end of the day, we’re all in this together. We’re supposed to stand together, encourage each other, and not tear each other down. Romans 14:13  says, “So stop being critical and condemning of other believers. Instead, make up your mind to never do anything that will cause another believer to stumble and fall.” When we come up with a judgment or opinion about someone else’s beliefs, we need to ensure that we’re not putting someone else down for our own opinion. So stop being critical and condemning other believers. You’re not their judge, and it’s not your job to decide whether their faith is strong enough.

We should never judge whether someone’s faith is strong enough. We don’t know everything about them. Just because someone’s faith is not as strong as ours doesn’t mean we can condemn them for it. We’re all on the same team and should work together to bring out the best in each other.

Instead of being critical and condemning, we should encourage and uplift each other. We should be listening to each other and having meaningful conversations. We should be offering our opinions without judgment or criticism. We should look for ways to build each other up and help each other grow.

We’re all created in the image of God, and He loves us all. We should treat each other with the same kind of love and respect He has for us. We should show others the same grace and understanding we’ve been given. We should look for ways to bring people closer instead of pushing them further apart.

So let’s stop being critical and condemning other believers. Let’s start standing together and encouraging each other instead. Let’s make up our minds never to do anything that will cause another believer to stumble and fall. Let’s show each other the same grace and understanding God has for us.

Stop criticizing and coming against each other over minor issues,

We should undeniably stop criticizing and coming against each other over minor issues. Galatians 5:15 says, “But if you continue to criticize and come against each other over minor issues, you’re acting like wild beasts trying to destroy one another!” This verse reminds us of the destruction that follows when we criticize and come against each other.

When we criticize and come against each other, it creates a feeling of deep hurt and resentment. This can lead to a lack of trust and a breakdown in relationships. The feelings of hurt, anger, and resentment can linger for a long time. They can even lead to depression and anxiety. Criticizing and coming against each other can also lead to a breakdown in communication, and people start avoiding conversations with each other. All these issues can have a long-lasting negative impact on our lives.

We need to remember that minor issues should not be taken too seriously. We should focus on the bigger picture and try to diffuse the situation. We must look for ways to understand each other and reach a mutual agreement. We should also remember that criticism should be constructive and not destructive. We should be careful not to attack each other personally or make assumptions about each other’s intentions. We should be respectful and make sure that everyone’s opinion is heard.

We should also remember that we are all human and make mistakes. We should show grace and understanding when someone makes a mistake and try to help them to correct their error. We should also be open to listening to each other and learning from each other.

In conclusion, we should stop criticizing and coming against each other over minor issues. It is important to remember the advice of Galatians 5:15 and to strive for understanding, respect and grace. When we focus on these things, we can have healthier relationships and a more positive outlook.

We must forsake all jealousy that diminishes the value of others.

The Bible is clear on the issue of jealousy: we must forsake it. Galatians 5:26 says, “So may we never be arrogant, or look down on another, for each of us is an original. We must forsake all jealousy that diminishes the value of others.” Jealousy is a destructive emotion that can lead to envy and animosity, and it has no place in the life of a Christian. When we become jealous of others, it diminishes their value in our eyes. We can forget that each person is a unique individual created by God with their special gifts and talents.

Jealousy can also lead to us making wrong decisions. We may become so consumed with the desire to have what someone else has that we forget to consider the consequences of our actions. We may be tempted to take something that belongs to someone else or to try to hurt them somehow. This can lead to dishonor, guilt, and a diminished relationship with God.

We must remember that God loves us all equally and has a unique plan. When we become jealous of others, we are not showing faith in God’s plan for us. Instead, we wallow in self-pity and give in to our sinful desires. We must trust that God will provide for us and that He has a special plan for us.

We must also remember that our value is not based on what we have or don’t have. We are valuable because of who we are in Christ. No one can take away our identity as children of God and our unique gifts and talents. We must embrace our uniqueness and celebrate the gifts and talents of others.

We must forsake all jealousy that diminishes the value of others. It is ungodly and can lead to destructive behaviors and an unhealthy relationship with God. We must remember that we are all valuable in the eyes of God, and our worth is not based on the things we have or don’t have. Instead, we must trust in God’s plan for us and celebrate the gifts and talents of others.

Stop Lying

Colossians 3:7-9 says, “That’s how you once behaved, characterized by your evil deeds. But now it’s time to eliminate them from your lives—anger, fits of rage, hatred, cursing, filthy speech, and lying. Lay aside your old Adam-self with its masquerade and disguise.” This verse is an important reminder that the way we live our lives should be rooted in the truth.

Living a life of truth and honesty is not always easy. We are all tempted to lie and put on a false face. We may be so used to hiding our true feelings, thoughts, and intentions that we don’t even realize we are doing it. We may even have convinced ourselves that lying is necessary to get ahead or protect ourselves.

However, the truth is that lying is harmful to us and those around us. We may think we are protecting ourselves by lying, but it can cause more harm than good. Lies can create confusion, mistrust, and hurt. It can also damage relationships and lead to more problems in the future.

Truth and honesty are essential components of a healthy life. When we live a life of truth, we can build trust with those around us. We can feel secure in our relationships and be open and honest about our feelings. We can also be better equipped to face difficult situations and make wise decisions.

Living a life of truth is about being authentic and genuine. We should strive to be honest about our thoughts and feelings and to be open and transparent with those around us. It is also essential, to be honest with ourselves. We should be willing to confront our weaknesses and failings and be open to growth and change.

Colossians 3:7-9 reminds us to lay aside our old Adam-self with its masquerade and disguise and to clothe ourselves with the new self of truth. We need to strive to live a life of honesty and authenticity and build relationships based on trust and openness. We should let go of our old ways of lying and deceit and embrace the truth.

Stop Speaking Evil Against Each Other

The Bible warns us that we should not speak evil against each other. James 4:11 says, “Dear friends, as part of God’s family, never speak against another family member, for when you slander a brother or sister, you violate God’s law of love. And your duty is not to make yourself a judge of the law of love by saying that it doesn’t apply to you, but your duty is to obey it!”

We all have experienced what it feels like to be spoken about in a negative light. It’s a horrible feeling that can have lasting effects on a person. Not only that, but it can also damage relationships and cause division between friends and family members. We must remember that our words have power and that we should use them to build one another up, not tear each other down.

We must learn to watch our words and stop speaking evil against each other. We should strive to be an example of love, kindness, and respect for others. We should say words of encouragement, affirmation, and positivity. We should be quick to forgive and slow to anger. We should always seek to understand and not judge.

When we stop speaking evil against each other, we can create a culture of love and acceptance. We can create a safe space for people to be vulnerable and express their feelings without fear of judgment or ridicule. We can develop a culture of understanding, compassion, and grace.

We must take James 4:11 to heart and stop speaking evil against each other. We must remember that our words have power and that we should use them to build each other up, not tear each other down. Doing this can create an environment of love and acceptance and help foster healthy relationships. Let’s choose to use our words to bring life and not death. Let’s make a choice to speak words of encouragement and positivity. Let’s desire to be an example of love and kindness. Let’s decide to stop speaking evil against each other.

Stop Grumbling

Life is full of challenges and disappointments. It is easy to start grumbling and complaining about each other. However, we should remember that whining and complaining about each other only leads to more pain and hurt. As it is written in James 5:9, “Since each of you are part of God’s family, never complain or grumble about each other so that judgment will not come on you, for the true Judge is near and very ready to appear!”

We must realize that grumbling and complaining about each other only serves to divide us and bring out the worst in us. When we whine and complain about each other, we only focus on the negative, not the positive. We fail to see the good in one another and instead focus on our differences. This only drives a wedge between us and makes it harder to build relationships.

Rather than grumbling and complaining about each other, we should put our focus on building up one another. We should be looking for ways to encourage and help one another grow. We need to be looking for ways to make each other feel loved and appreciated. We should not be looking for ways to tear each other down.

By focusing on building each other up, we can create a strong bond of friendship and camaraderie. We can become a united force and face life’s challenges together. We can help each other through tough times and be there to celebrate each other’s victories. We should not let grumbling and complaining about each other get in the way of creating these strong relationships.

So let us all make a concerted effort to stop grumbling about each other. Let us focus on building each other up and creating solid relationships. Let us remember what is written in James 5:9 “Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.” Let us strive to be an example of Unity and love.

Remember, We Are Members of One Another

And so it is in the body of Christ. For though we are many, we’ve all been mingled into one body in Christ. This means that we are all vitally joined to one another, with each contributing to the others.
Romans 12:5

So discard every form of dishonesty and lying so that you will be known as one who always speaks the truth, for we all belong to one another.
Ephesians 4:25

Remember, we are members of one another. This profound statement is found in Romans 12:5 and Ephesians 4:25. The Bible emphasizes that we are all connected and should treat each other as such. We are all God’s children and are called to love one another as such. It’s important to remember that we are all part of the same family, with the same Creator and ultimate destiny.

The Bible instructs us to be humble and serve others as we serve ourselves. We are to be kind and compassionate with each other and not let our selfish desires take precedence over the needs of others. We should always look for ways to help each other and build each other up rather than tear each other down. We should honor each other’s differences and treat each other with respect.

It’s important to remember that we are all members of one another in the eyes of God. We are all part of the same body and are connected in a unique and special way. We are to love each other as deeply and thoroughly as we would love ourselves. We are to be a light to each other and to the world. We are to share each other’s burdens and rejoice with each other in our triumphs.

We are to be a united family, with each of us playing a vital role in the body of Christ. We are to be a blessing to each other, encouraging and building each other up. We are to be a part of each other’s lives, looking out for each other and being there to lend a helping hand. We are to be a source of strength and hope to each other, a reminder of the love of God.

Remember, we are members of one another. We are all uniquely created by God and are meant to love and serve each other. We are to be a light to the world, showing the love of God to all those around us. We are to be an example of Unity and love in our Father’s Kingdom. Let us never forget that we are members of one another.

 

Bruce Mitchell is a speaker, writer, and Bible teacher who loves to share God’s Word in everyday life. He has studied at Biola University and Dallas Theological Seminary. His blog (Allelon.us) is all about the principles of Agapao Allelon (Loving One Another) and God’s Mercy, Grace, Love, and Forgiveness and how it applies to our daily lives as Christ-Followers. (1 Peter 4:8)