How political and religious spirits feed division—and what happens when we refuse to give them what they want
A political spirit and a religious spirit are working in tandem to bring increasing division in the world at large, including the church.
In C. S. Lewis’s brilliant allegory, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the children stumble across a lake and discover a statue of man laying beneath its surface, apparently made entirely of gold. His rusty armour lies nearby, but they have no idea who he was or how he met his fate.
When Edmund steps right to the water’s edge to get a better look, the toe of his boot turns to gold. Suddenly, they understand the power of the lake.
What begins as simply another amazing discovery on their voyage quickly turns into an argument over ownership. King Caspian and High King Edmund begin arguing about their respective rights as kings in Narnia. Caspian is ready to fight, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Then Lucy sees Aslan and calls out.
The children turn and watch as the lion walks across a ridge nearby. He says nothing. But whatever spell they were under is broken as their gaze rests on Aslan, the Christ figure.
The same spirit C. S. Lewis addressed in *The Voyage of the Dawn Treader* is at work in many churches. A political spirit isn’t simply about which political party someone supports. A religious spirit isn’t simply about theological differences. These spirits don’t just want to bring division. They want to destroy.
I’ve sensed that same controlling influence more than once as otherwise level-headed people discuss politics or doctrine on social media or over casual coffee with friends. Anger, control, and accusations suddenly spring up.
We have given this spirit far too much permission to operate in the church, our workplaces, and our homes.
Most of my friends and family would say I’m naturally a pretty easy-going person. I’m not easily riled to anger. And yet, I’ve occasionally had to battle the temptation to fall under its spell myself.
Why is this spirit so strong?
We’ve keep feeding it. The only way to starve it is by walking in the opposite spirit.
Walking in the opposite spirit doesn’t mean pretending we agree or avoiding difficult conversations. It means refusing to respond to anger with anger, accusation with accusation, or contempt with contempt. Where division demands that we choose sides and attack, we choose honour, self-control, humility, and love instead.
Have you fallen under the influence of a political or religious spirit that brings division and destroys relationships?
I can’t help but think of an episode from the original Star Trek series called Day of the Dove. The Klingons and the Enterprise crew are locked in a seemingly never-ending battle. A Klingon woman finally sees what is happening. An alien life force is feeding on their antagonism and orchestrating the whole scenario.
She eventually convinces the powers-that-be that the only way to end the battle is to call a truce and take it a step further.
They respond in the opposite spirit.
They laugh and make a great show of camaraderie. Deprived of the hostility it needs to survive, the alien life force disappears.
Yes, the Klingons and the Enterprise crew would battle each other again in later episodes. But in this moment of time they laid aside their differences to defeat a foe neither side could defeat on its own.
When a vehement reaction rises within you and you feel compelled to argue over politics or doctrine, step back and assess what’s happening. Ask yourself why your emotional response is so strong.
When otherwise level-headed and non-aggressive friends or family members come at you in a verbal attack, sidestep the blow. Don’t react in kind.
Focus your attention on what brings you together.
Look for the good in the other person. One way to do that is to ask God, “How do You see them? What do you love about them?” Then speak to that person in light of what God shows you. Resist flattery, but speak to the good.
If emotions are still running high, respectfully suggest that a cooling-off period might be a good idea.
Being right at the expense of a relationship isn’t always worth winning the argument.
And sometimes the best way to defeat what is fueling the feud is simply to stop feeding it.
© 2022 Katherine Walden
