The world constantly pushes us to take sides, leading to the dissolution of unities and the formation of factions. What was once recognized as new and old, North and South, becomes new or old, North or South, and inevitably, us versus them. Satan cleverly invites us to participate in his wargame of Survival of the Fittest, working to destroy the unity that Adam and Eve once shared with God in the Garden of Eden, severing their closeness to the point of expulsion. In contrast, Jesus desires oneness with the Father, Himself, and each other, as expressed in His prayer before His crucifixion. While satan moved with his faction of disunity through Judas, anticipating resistance and battle, Jesus chose a path of faith and humility. Confronted with arrest and injustice, He could have called upon heavenly armies, yet He submitted to the Father's will, working toward unity rather than destruction. Despite mockery, beatings, and crucifixion, He endured without retaliation, providing a template for us to emulate. We must pursue unity over division, wielding the shield of faith as Christ did, resisting the urge to lash out when provoked by harmful words.

Competition pervades American culture from childhood games through school, sports, and the marketplace, fostering an ingrained drive to outperform others that eventually produces a throwaway society built on obsolescence. When this same competitive spirit enters the church, it functions as conflict or war that pits members against one another for personal advantage and thereby destroys doctrinal unity and the proper fellowship among brethren. James identifies the source of such wars and fights as lusts and wrong priorities that arise from pride, the desire to elevate oneself above others, and he prescribes humility as the remedy that removes the impulse to vaunt the self or injure another. Paul reinforces this connection by urging believers to pursue like-mindedness and one accord through lowliness of mind, esteeming others better than themselves and looking also to the interests of others rather than engaging in selfish ambition or conceit. In the same vein, he calls for a walk marked by gentleness, longsuffering, and forbearance in love so that the unity of the Spirit may be kept in the bond of peace. When members instead press doctrinal points in a combative manner, even on matters of salvation, they generate hard words and hard feelings that drive brethren apart and leave no room for the love of God. Such conduct mirrors the first sin of pride that led Satan into conflict with God and repeats that pattern on a smaller scale within the congregation. Paul therefore directs each person to work out his own salvation with fear and trembling, recognizing that God Himself works in every member, and to do all things without murmuring or disputing so that the church may remain blameless and shine as lights while holding fast the word of life.