This is Spiritual Work pt. 2
For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 NLT
In the most recent blog, we addressed the importance of realizing intentional steps toward diversity and belonging will bring about resistance. This resistance you feel is not coming from a person or ideology. The resistance may come in the form of a person or ideology, but it is imperative to remember there are dark forces at work that want to at the very least disrupt and at best destroy the unity of your team, your church, or organization. Why does unity come under attack?
Unity brings anointing.
Where there is unity, there is anointing to accomplish what God has placed in your hands to do. In Psalm 133, David describes unity among God’s people as the oil running down the beard and robes of Aaron who was the priest of God. The oil in this passage represents the presence of the Holy Spirit. It’s interesting that the oil is not present as just a dab but in such a large quantity that it runs down the beard and robes of the priest. Could it be that God desires his people to be in such incredible unity that his Spirit’s presence drips off of our lives, our words, and actions? It is the presence of God’s Holy Spirit that gives us the discernment to recognize the schemes of the enemy and his desire is to break relationships among God’s people. If we are caught up in fighting one another, we get distracted from the mission of the Church which is to seek and save the lost.
Unity reveals the real enemy.
When I was a young leader and someone from my team would bring a concern, I would sometimes take the concern as a criticism of my leadership or an attempt to bring division to the team. In actuality, it was simply a concern that was presented. When a brother or sister shares their experience that may differ from our own, let’s not give into the temptation to take the concern as an attempt to undermine the unity of the church or organization. Needs or concerns expressed by those not in the majority of the people you serve is not automatically an attack on you as a leader or the unity of the team or congregation.
What may seem like undermining or attacking, may actually be an invitation to lean in with compassion and empathy to equip others in a deeper way than what has previously been experienced. Stepping into understanding the dimensions of diversity around you removes barriers to the Gospel. These efforts may be met with opposition from people because of concerns of being off mission. Making space for people to belong allows unity to be formed in a deep way.
People and ideologies are NOT the real enemy. It is a tool of the devil for the unity of your team or congregation to be threatened by trying to get our focus on an individual, group, or particular idea.The Apostle Paul reminds us we are in a spiritual battle and not one where we are fighting people. We must engage the battle not by breaking relationships or being defensive but by putting on the “whole armor of God”. It is with the protection and weapons listed in Ephesians chapter 6 that we are able to withstand the attacks of the enemy.
How to respond to opposition:
When opposition arises on the heels of an intentional focus on recognizing diversity and creating belonging for everyone regardless of their background or ability, consider the following steps before responding:
Pause. James admonishes us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19). As you take a moment to pause, it positions you to take the next step.
2. Reflect.What is the source of the opposition?
Self protection- But that’s not what I meant.
Scarcity- If I do this for you, what about this other part of the body, team, organization?
Pride- I know what I’m doing.
Jesus has given us his Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth (John 14:26). Receiving discernment about the thing that is causing disunity is not to go after a person, but rather an opportunity to disciple and give an invitation for a person to have another opportunity to submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ. In the face of opposition first pause, then reflect, and finally take the final step.
3. Pray. It is tempting to give into anxiety but the Apostle Paul reminds us to instead let God know our needs (Philippians 4:6) through prayer. As leaders we pray continually so that we can love and lead by the power of God’s Spirit.
Remember we have been given everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter1:3) which includes discerning things that would disrupt unity. The Lord will reveal how to move forward in protecting the unity of your team and congregation. He is not willing that anyone perish, but that all would come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) so we as the Church have a mission: Go into ALL the world to preach and make disciples which is very important spiritual work.
