In our world there is major sectarianism brewing. People are being coerced to hate one another over race, religion, creed, and even fandoms. I have watched as fans who love a franchise “bite and devour one another,” (Galatians 5:15) when they all are suppose to love the same franchise.
What is causing this? What is at the root? Have you heard of Discord? It comes from the goddess Discordia, who is also known as Eris which is a
goddess who sows discord and strife. I find it intriguing that the most popular social chat app is Discord, not Concord which means harmony between people and groups. Discordia is probably one of the angels that fell with Satan, “Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him” (Revelation 12:7-9), and “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Jesus, Matthew 25:41). Discordia even has wings like most angels in the ancient art (see the post pic). It is said that the first horseman of the apocalypse fires arrows (Revelation 6:1), which Satan is known for using arrows, “Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one,” (Ephesians 6:16) which are accusations, “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, “Now the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ have come. The accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them day and night before our God, has been thrown down.” (Revelation 12:10). The combination of these fallen angels waging spiritual war on the saints combined with the new normal where people are seeking purpose in a world of decadence where you can know anything or order it with a click of your screen has bred people looking for community and so they get drawn into community plus purpose and end up in tribes and movements that have a niche and usually hate another group. The combo of discordia’s demonic forces and this deep need for community & destiny at all costs creates sectarianism which is a sin:
“Sectarianism Is Sin
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.” (1 Corinthians 1:10-17).
Even the church is not exempt from discord and the spirit of sectarianism seeps in to split churches, not over the essentials and worthy reasons, but the nonessentials and egos. This spirit of Discordia is hard at work and we must steel ourselves as Soldiers of Christ to resist the propensity to become disciples of discord. Amen.
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