And knowing their thoughts, He said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” Matthew 12:25

And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. Mark 3:25

This is Yeshua’s reply to the scribes who accused him of doing wonders and miracles by the power of Beelzebub. Obviously a home, city, or nation, must stand together…united to face the threats that come against them.

I was headed to my sports therapy appointment in Pineville when I got behind a car that had the bumper sticker, “A house divided”. Apparently the family had members that attended NC State and UNC Chapel Hill.

In South Carolina, it is Clemson and USC. There are bumper stickers, flags, shirts, and all kinds of swag declaring the family divided. Still seems innocent enough. I have a flag that declares “A house divided”.

But I thought, “Is this ok?” I think so but let me point out some things that came to mind.

Competition between colleges and universities is great. I have no issue with it as long as it is in good fun. Sometimes, it gets out of hand.

Should we declare our homes and families divided in any way? 

Is this just another subtle way the evil one gets a toe in the door to create problems? We see this declaration as innocent. We intend it to be innocent. But can we be sure?

As I went on my way, I thought of other seemingly innocent things we allow. Then comes the next step required that takes us further from our Abba. The path continues till we find ourselves so far from the path He has for us, it takes real effort to get back to where we belong.

Please know that when football season arrives, I’ll probably put that flag out. Because our house isn’t divided. It is inclusive. Our family members have attended UNCC, NC State, Clemson, USC, Winthrop, UNCW, Catawba College, Appalachian, Wake Forest, Converse College, Western Carolina…

So my thought is, maybe we should not declare ourselves “divided” but rather declare we are “united”. Not have a negative statement about our “house” but a positive one.

I’ve just been more aware recently of the small, seemingly harmless ways I start down a path that I should not. As always, just food for thought.