Competition and pride destroy unity, particularly the unity of the Spirit among brethren. In Philippians 2:1-4, Paul urges believers to be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and one mind, with nothing done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind esteeming others better than oneself, looking out for the interests of others. This humility fosters the fellowship of the Spirit and makes unity possible. In Ephesians 4:1-3, Paul beseeches a walk worthy of the calling with all lowliness, gentleness, and longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Longsuffering and patience in bearing with others' faults are essential to maintaining this unity and peace among brethren. The destructive nature of competition and pride, which lead to conflict and war, must be replaced with humility and love to preserve the unity of the Spirit. By esteeming others better than ourselves and patiently working through differences, we can maintain the bond of peace and reflect the unity that God desires.

Despite our inherent differences as individuals, created uniquely by God, we are called to strive for unity in our walk with Him. What matters is how we live our diverse lives, making choices that align with God's will to find common ground. Right living and good conduct produce peace among the brethren, while wrong choices lead to strife. By accepting God-given changes in our lives, we follow Christ and adapt His way of living, which unifies us into one body, one family, and most importantly, one Spirit. Paul emphasizes this unity in Ephesians 4, urging us to walk in a worthy manner because of our calling from God. He highlights the virtue of humility as we unite with others who share the same common ground, enduring trials and bearing with one another in love. This outward expression of faith, coupled with good works, builds unity among us as we support each other with the love of God shed abroad in our hearts. We must endeavor to keep this unity with the Father, the Son, and each other, sharing in the same Spirit. Unity requires active participation, not passivity, as we offer help in quiet peacefulness and humility, expressing love and honest concern for one another's well-being. Our shared hope, a virtue placed within us by God, looks forward to eternal promises, further uniting us on common ground. Paul clarifies there is only one way into God's Family, reinforcing the singularity of our faith, baptism, and blessings, which tie us together in strong unity. God is in all of us by His Spirit, providing watchful care, drawing us close to Him and to Christ as we prepare for the Kingdom of God. Through grace and the diverse gifts given to each of us, we have a duty to benefit one another, building up the Body of Christ in unity. Christ, as the Head of the Body, empowers us through the Helper to maintain this unity, guiding us in truth and shared doctrines. Spiritual maturity is necessary to sustain this unity, growing toward the fullness of Christ and avoiding the confusion of the world. Speaking in truth and love, we aim to be reconciled with Christ, each part of the Body working together for effective growth, tied by the overarching framework of love as a major characteristic of God's people. Disunity can arise from hate, carnality, judgmental attitudes, and the influence of the evil one, who seeks to sow discord among God's people. Gossip and slander, as sins, can damage unity by placing stumbling blocks before others. Instead, we must train our minds to be like Christ, showing compassion rather than ridicule, allowing God to tame our tongues through sanctification. Other barriers like jealousy, pride, anger, and doctrinal contentions must be watched over to hold fast to our faith, hope, and love, maintaining unity with God and each other under the guiding hand of our Savior Jesus Christ.