“But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” -Galatians 5:15
“A sleepy, Christless church, quarreling and surmising evil, will have no reward, and need look for no revival, unless its members repent, and do the first works.” Review and Herald, June 26, 1888 Par. 9
“There is no more effectual hindrance to growth in grace than this disposition to criticize and condemn others. We have in our experience seen this accusing spirit gradually enter the hearts of church-members until it had leavened nearly the entire church, and the result was that little of real godliness or of the spirit of Christ remained.” Historical Sketches 212, 213. [September 1885]
“By your failure to work in harmony, you are greatly dishonoring God. The enemy of your souls delights to see you working at cross purposes with one another.” Letter 98, 1902, par. 10
“If we are to meet opposition from our enemies, who are represented as wolves, let us be careful that we do not manifest the same spirit among ourselves. The enemy well knows that if we do not have love one for another, he can gain his object, and wound and weaken the church, by causing differences among brethren. He can lead them to surmise evil, to speak evil, to accuse, condemn, and hate one another. In this way the cause of God is brought into dishonor, the name of Christ is reproached, and untold harm is done to the souls of men.” Review and Herald, July 27, 1911, par. 1
“Divisions, and even bitter dissensions which would disgrace any worldly community, are common in the churches, because there is so little effort to control wrong feelings, and to repress every word that Satan can take advantage of. As soon as an alienation of feeling arises, the matter is spread before Satan for his inspection, and the opportunity given for him to use his serpent-like wisdom and skill in dividing and destroying the church. There is great loss in every dissension. … Worldlings look on, and jeeringly exclaim, ‘Behold how these Christians hate one another. If this is religion, we do not want it.’ And they look upon themselves and their irreligious characters with great satisfaction.” Signs of the Times, May 17, 1883, Art. B, par. 5
“If Satan can excite criticism among any of the Lord’s professed people, then it is communicated like leaven from one to another. ‘Press together,’ is the command I hear from the Captain of our Salvation. Press together. Where there is unity, there is strength. All who are on the Lord’s side will press together.” Letter 1899, par. 9
“The Lord brings His erring children over the same ground again and again; but if they continually fail to heed the admonitions of His Spirit, if they fail to reform on every point where they have erred, He will finally leave them to their own weakness.” Testimonies, Vol. 9, 182.1
Prayer for Unity
Heavenly Father,
Forgive us for the times we have allowed criticism, pride, and division to take root in our hearts. Your Word warns us not to bite and devour one another, yet often we have failed to show the love and humility of Christ. Lord, remove the spirit of strife and replace it with the spirit of peace. Teach us to press together, to bear with one another in love, and to seek the unity that only Your Spirit can give.
We pray that Your church may reflect the character of Christ—not in selfishness or bitterness—but in gentleness, patience, and brotherly love. Protect us from Satan’s devices that seek to divide and destroy. Make us one, even as You and Your Son are one. May the world see our unity and be drawn to the Savior who binds us together.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
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