The history of the Church is a tale of unity and division, growth and schism, persecution and revival. The pressing question is: Are these crises a part of God's divine plan, or are they orchestrated by the devil to weaken the Church?
1. Is God Involved in Church Crises?
The answer is twofold. God allows crises for His purpose, yet Satan exploits them to create chaos. The Bible shows that crises have been part of the Church since the early days, often serving as a means for refining and purifying believers.
Persecution Led to Expansion: In Acts 8:1-4, persecution scattered the early Church, yet it spread the Gospel far and wide. What the enemy meant for evil, God turned for good (Genesis 50:20).
Doctrinal Disputes and Divine Direction: In Acts 15, the early Church faced its first doctrinal crisis about circumcision. Instead of destruction, it led to the Council of Jerusalem, which clarified the message of grace.
Divine Judgment in the Church: In 1 Corinthians 11:19, Paul acknowledges that divisions must happen to reveal who truly belongs to God.
These examples show that crises are not outside God's sovereign plan. Instead, He allows them to test faith, refine the Church, and separate the true believers from the false.
2. Schisms in the Church: Mission-Driven or Satan’s Strategy?
Throughout history, church schisms have occurred. Some were God-ordained to further His purpose, while others were Satanic deceptions aimed at weakening the Body of Christ.
Examples of Church Schisms with Divine Purpose
The Protestant Reformation (16th Century): Martin Luther's stand against corruption led to the Protestant movement. While it created division, it also restored biblical truth.
The Pentecostal Revival (20th Century): The Azusa Street Revival led to a new wave of the Holy Spirit’s movement, though it resulted in different Pentecostal denominations.
Examples of Satanic Manipulation in Church Schisms
Doctrinal Corruption: Heresies such as Gnosticism and Arianism caused division and confusion (1 John 2:19)
Titus 3:10-11 on dealing with heretics
"As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned."
Colossians 2:8 (warning against Gnosticism):
Power Struggles: Some church splits arise from pride and personal ambition rather than divine calling (3 John 1:9-10).
Moral Failures: Scandals among leaders weaken the faith of believers and cause disillusionment (1 Timothy 3:1-7).
Thus, while some divisions serve God’s mission, others are the enemy’s tactics to weaken the Church.
3. Lessons for the Present Generation
Be Discerning: Not all crises are of God. Pray for wisdom to distinguish between divine pruning and satanic deception (1 John 4:1).
Stay Rooted in the Word: False teachings often lead to division. Knowing God’s Word helps believers stand firm (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Pursue Unity, Not Uniformity: Jesus prayed for unity (John 17:20-23). The Church can have different expressions while remaining one Body.
Guard Against Pride and Division: Many church splits arise from ego and personal ambition. Leaders must remain humble (Philippians 2:3-4).
Endure Persecution: When crises arise from external persecution, believers should see it as a means to spread the Gospel (Matthew 5:10-12).
Conclusion
Crises in the Church can be part of God’s divine plan for purification and mission. However, Satan also seeks to use division to weaken the faith of believers. The present generation must be discerning, rooted in Scripture, and focused on unity in Christ. The Church will stand, because Jesus declared, "I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18).
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