To this day I still don’t (and never will) understand how my darling wife got it into her head to appoint me of all people to be the home school math teacher for my precious daughter, Natalie. Only God knows the torture I put her through as I tried to teach her concepts that, over the years, had become totally foreign to me. They call it “The New Math” - I call it “Confusing”. When adding, you can’t carry the one anymore, now you “regroup.” And that’s just one example of the many new definitions and approaches to a subject I once knew something about. Who knew I had to learn another language in addition, to teaching Addition?! Despite my personal struggle, Natalie did exceptionally well.
In today’s passage (Luke 11:14 – 26), the subject of division dominated our discussion. As Jesus was casting out an evil spirit from a man, some who were observing said, “He casteth out devils through Beelzebub, the chief of the devils.” Jesus’ response revealed the irony of their argument: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation… If Satan be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand?” (11:14-18a) The jealous attempts of his enemies to discredit him defied reason. Even the devil knew better than that.
In order for a kingdom to be strong and able to conquer its enemies there must be order, devotion, and unity of purpose. That goes for Satan’s kingdom as well as God’s. Every time Jesus set one of Satan’s captives free, he was turning the devil’s chains back on himself and rendering his kingdom that much weaker. One day, the devil will be thrown into the pit, and his kingdom will come to utter desolation… but he’s not going down without a fight. The battle between Light and Darkness will become even more fierce as nears our King’s return. Division is one of the devil’s most effective weapons in his desperate attempt to foil God’s plans and render His Church ineffective in this world.
It's the devil’s “New Math”. Instead of calling it “gossip,” we call it “prayer requests”. A “critical spirit” has now become “spiritual discernment”. What once came under the category of “quarreling” is now considered “standing up for righteousness” or a “lively in-house debate”. “Jealousy” is a “concern for God’s glory”, pride is a “healthy self-image”, and the effort to maintain biblical standards is now “being judgmental” and “ignorant”. God’s people are becoming more and more divided over denomination, race, cultural preferences, and politics. “Obedience” is “legalism”. Pursuing holiness is being “bound by tradition” and those that believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit are warned against as “deceivers” and “fanatics”! The list goes on and on.
When you do the “Devil’s Math” you always end up with less than you started with - less love, less unity, less peace, less joy, and less power. The world is no longer impressed by the church of Jesus Christ: it can hardly tell the difference. The light has grown dim, the salt has little taste. And perhaps worst of all, the Holy Spirit is grieved to tears as Satan and his cohorts laugh with delight.
But the Lord promises to return for a glorious Church without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: holy and without blemish. (Eph. 5:27) And while the devil is the master of division, God’s expertise lies in multiplication and addition. And despite the enemy’s best efforts to destroy the Early Church, God caused His word to grow and multiply, and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. (Acts 5:14) Isn’t He able to do the same in these last days?
Jesus left us with a new commandment, that we love one another as he has loved us. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:35) God also exhorted us through the Apostle Paul to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph. 4:3) He warned us to mark those who cause division and avoid them. Problems will arise among the people of God and will need to be dealt with, but with pure hearts we will attempt to settle our differences in the spirit of love and humility. By God’s grace let us determine to become part of the solution, and not add to the problem.
The Devil’s Math is really nothing new at all: he’s still up to his same old tricks. But God is doing a new thing in these closing days, and I want to be part of it. The world and its promises just don’t add up, and those that pursue them will surely end up disappointed and ashamed. But since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. (Heb. 10:28,29 NIV)
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You are at work in our world. Fill us with Your grace and love, and let us walk humbly with You, in the unity that only You can give.