John 9:13-16 says, “13They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. 14And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 15Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 16Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.”

The enemy’s battle plan against the church is simply to divide and conquer. If he can segregate and isolate the church to where it is an “us” vs “them” mentality, whether it is based on denomination, race or simply personal preference, then we will be blinded to the identity of our true enemy while he wreaks havoc and continues to expand his territory in the world as ours lessons. One perfect example is Cain and Abel. The first murder in human history was over the concept of religion. Since Abel’s offering was accepted and Cain’s rejected, out of his own jealousy, Cain murdered Abel. Instead of being united in worship in giving God their best, it became a competition, as many do today. It shifts focus on worshipping the worship rather than keeping God at the center of it all! 

2) Selfish ambitions in order to promote the self that God has called to crucify (Galatians 2:20-21; 5:24-26). Galatians 2:20-21 (NASB) says, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians 5:24-26 (NASB) says, “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.” A death to self foreshadows a resurrection, fulfilling the image of Christ!

3) Jealousy as a competition instead of working together as a community of believers to bear fruit that remain. James 3:15-17 (Passion) says, “For that has nothing to do with God’s heavenly wisdom but can best be described as the wisdom of this world, both selfish and devilish. So whoever jealousy and selfishness are uncovered, you will also find many troubles and every kind of meanness. But the wisdom that is from above is always pure, filled with peace, considerate and teachable. It is filled with love and never displays prejudice or hypocrisy in any form.” Jealousy shows that someone is not confident in who they are in Christ! Those who are jealous will never be kingdom minded, heavenly focused and aligned with the will of Christ! James 4:1-3 (TPT) says, “What is the cause of your conflicts and quarrels with each other? Doesn’t the battle begin inside of you as you fight to have your own way and fulfill your own desires? You jealously want what others have so you begin to see yourself as better than others. You scheme with envy and harm others to selfishly obtain what you crave—that’s why you quarrel and fight. And all the time you don’t obtain what you want because you won’t ask God for it! And if you ask, you won’t receive it for you’re asking with corrupt motives, seeking only to fulfill your own selfish desires.” We must lay down jealousy and work together as one body to advance the kingdom of God.