Ephesians 4:1-3

One of the best aspects of golf is the friendly competition with our friends. Once we get a certain age, we no longer can competitively compete in football, baseball or basketball. Golf allows the young and the old alike to compete while still utilizing a degree of athletic ability. Golfers compete against each other, but not in an evil spirit. Golf is more about who played better against the course that day than a “me against you” mentality.

Unity is an important aspect in the lives of believers. God does not command that we agree on everything. We, however, must come to together in unity for the common good in peace. “Even though he voted against my motion for a new vacuum, we are still brothers in Christ.” “Even though I disagree with your lifestyle, I still love you.” We fight against each other within our own church and we fight against others from our sister churches. Baptists may have issue with the Methodists. Methodists may speak ill of the Pentecostals. Hopefully, the Pentecostals are praying for them both! Division does nothing for the furtherance of the gospel or the prosperity of our own local churches. Have you read any scripture where evil spirits fight amongst themselves? Only believers use this divisive technique. Demons are spoken of in terms of “legions.” A “legion” referred to a group of more than 5,000 Roman soldiers. They are always united in force against what is good and what is pure. In Luke 8:30, Jesus asked the demon-possessed man his name. He simply responded “Legions” as many demons had entered him. All of the demons were united for the purpose of destroying this man and anyone he came into contact. We as Christians need to strive for a greater unity of the spirit. As Paul indicated, this unity of the spirit brings forth the fruits of spirit. Love, humbleness, gentleness do not reflect weakness or a lack of manhood. Quite the opposite is the case. These “fruits” are indicators we are living vines from Jesus Christ.