How to Establish Harmony Within The Church (and Everywhere Else)

In Proverbs 6:19 one of only seven things the Lord finds detestable is “sowing discord among brothers.” In reflecting on that, it occurs to me, that perhaps one of the biggest contributors to sowing discord in the church is a lack of submission to authority. We certainly see this in the fall of Lucifer when he was not only determined to assert his own false perception of superiority over God but created division among the heavenly hosts when he took one-third of the angels with him.

As a person who considers myself strong-willed and an independent thinker, I certainly have to self-regulate in this area as well. God has been revealing to me over the course of my life the importance of submitting to those He has placed over me. It doesn’t come naturally, believe me, but I see the value in the harmony it establishes in any structured environment.

I admit, there are times I don’t agree with those I serve under — SHOCK! — but Hebrews 13:17 perpetually comes to mind: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

How do I know this is right? Well, I certainly appreciate that same attitude in those who God puts me in authority over. It’s the whole Golden Rule found in Matthew 7: 12 (“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”)

But we live in a narcissistic society where demanding our own way comes naturally. In fact, we feel it is our duty to dig our heels in and stand our ground even when there is little at stake. Isn’t being right the most important virtue? But what about Ephesians 5:21? “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Is reverence for Christ a good enough reason to set our own preferences aside from time to time?

This of course assumes you are under the leadership of those who are in goodwill and are not being asked to directly violate your faith (If that’s the case, then you may need to leave or speak up to protect others). But are those you serve under striving to meet the standards of 1 Peter 5:1-4?

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

If the answer is yes, then verse 5-6 must also apply. “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

That last line is especially important for those who have ambitions to rise to higher ranks of leadership. Like David, if God has called you, you need not undermine the authority of those placed over you for He will lift you up in due time!

But ultimately even our ambitions must first be guided by verses 1-4. Our goal should not be to lord over people because we have power, but with higher levels of leadership comes more accountability and a responsibility to lay ourselves aside to a greater extent as servants of God’s people. Consider, is that even a calling you truly wish to fulfill? If you can’t submit to your fellow man, who is there in the flesh, how then do you expect to submit to God, who is invisible?

It’s an ongoing learning process, but I believe it is through our submission that we best communicate love to one another. It makes life easier, serving more enjoyable and allows peace to flow through the body so that we may effectively bring others to Christ for John 13:35 states, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”