Kingdom Divided?

Matthew 12:22-25

Message No. 0726 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca

In Matthew chapter 12, the Bible records the double miracle performed by Jesus when a deaf and blind man was brought to Him for healing. Indeed, the man was not only deaf and blind, but he was demon-possessed also. This means that he had three problems, all at the same time. By all indications, this guy was in deep problem. Even if a miracle happened and he began to see, still, he was deaf, and if a miracle cured his deafness, still, he was blind. And if both problems were resolved, yet he was demon-possessed. This was a textbook example of a hopeless man.

The Bible says that when this man was brought to Jesus, He healed him, so that the man both spoke and saw. Obviously, anyone who knew this man before would scream, jump up and praise God for the uncommon miracle performed. However, Jesus’ arch-accusers were informed of the miracle, and jealousy driving them as usual, condemned the miracle by accusing him of casting out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons. I tried to find logic in their accusation, but I couldn’t. This was like saying that the enemy is destroying your properties under your permission, and by using your own powers.

While the friction between Jesus and the Pharisees is not new, Jesus’ response carries power, and is a prevalent problem in our world today. In verses 25-26, the Bible says:

But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

We can rephrase verse 25 in many areas of our lives today. If the husband opposes the wife, and the wife opposes the husband, how can their home stand? If a business partner opposes his or her other business partners, and vice versa, how can their business prosper? If states fight against states, or provinces fight against provinces in the same country, how can their nation make progress? If a friend quarrels against his or her friends, and the other friends do the same towards him or her, how can their friendship last?

Let’s break this down a little bit. There are homes that you go to visit, and you will think that this is a model home, the husband calls the wife sweetie, and the wife calls the husband honey. They work so well when the visitor is around, and the visitor goes back home thinking, oh God, how great will it be if my home can be this sweet. Unknown to the visitor, the couple couldn’t wait for them to leave, so they could continue where they left their argument and quarrel. The children are afraid to even come back home from school because they know that there will not be peace at home. The husband screams against the wife, as do the wife against the husband. Yet, they wonder why God is not answering their prayers. They wonder why they cannot do the things the other families are doing.

Or, if in a business, a business partner cannot stand the ideas of the other business partner, and always opposes the partner when they are making business presentations to clients or prospects. If one partner goes behind the other partner to belittle him or her and to annul his or her business proposals by replacing it with his or her own proposals or ideas. What would you expect their clients and prospects to do? Wouldn’t they conclude that a disaster was in the making and run for their lives? Who would buy products or services from such a business entity?

If a parent is always railing against his or her children and never finding anything good in those children, or always using negative words on the children, yet doing night vigil and praying for the children’s success, wouldn’t you say that such a parent is mad? Would God not say to the parent, what do you want from me, to approve the curses you are spitting on your children or to answer the prayers you are praying for them? Which one?

There are some countries that are so divided that they never see anything good in their countrymen. The states are so stratified and so openly opposed to one another, that some people call them the divided states. If the leaders go to parliament everyday and all they do is argue and fight, when will they agree to move the country forward? Will they not be overcome by their enemies?

The Bible says that a kingdom that is divided against itself cannot stand. Why do we live daily in division and enmity and yet think that we can move forward? The moment a church begins to have factions, that is the beginning of the end of such a congregation. God does not dwell in rancor or bitterness, or in division and confusion. The key to prosperity and answered prayers for a family, group, business, or church, lies in Matthew 18:19-20:

"Again, I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

Are you praying? Do you expect God to answer your prayers? Are you united with your team, or is your kingdom divided?

PLEASE ACT NOW:

If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:

Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!

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