"Satan always hates Christian fellowship; it is his policy to keep Christians apart. Anything which can divide saints from one another he delights in. He attaches far more importance to godly intercourse than we do. Since union is strength, he does his best to promote separation." - Charles Spurgeon

“I’ll think about it.” I knew that response all too well. It meant my vision for the ministry would likely die on the vine. It takes the wind out of your sails when you don’t feel heard or valued. When it happens, the sad result is that the ministry and valuable members of the Body of Christ are marginalized.

In 1 Corinthians 12:20, Paul’s warning is clear, “Now there are many parts, yet one body.” His analogy between the human body and the body of Christ is spot-on. As the different parts of our human bodies cooperate for our survival, the same is essential for the body of believers.  

“The instant any part of the body says to any other part, 'I don’t need you!’ it begins to weaken and die and create problems for the whole body. No Christian servant can say to any other servant, ‘My ministry can get along without you!’”.1 

In our fallen world, there will be times when we feel marginalized or tempted to marginalize others. As much as it depends on us, we can fight the temptation to insulate ourselves and do things our way and in our own time, thus avoiding the same pattern of marginalizing those around us. 

My sister, I encourage you to turn to Galatians 5 and take heart. We will not fall victim to the works of the flesh. Instead, we will embrace the fruits of the Spirit. Our unity is critical to a healthy and thriving ministry. 

1 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 609–610). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.