TEARING DOWN THE WALLS OF DIVISION
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Ephesians 2:11-18
Key Verse:
“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;” (Ephesians 2:14, KJV)
Supporting Texts: Ephesians 2:13-18; Psalm 133:1; Matthew 5:9; John 17:20-23; Romans 12:18; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:13-14.
Description: This message teaches how Jesus Christ breaks down the walls of division through His reconciling work and calls believers to overcome hatred, prejudice, unforgiveness, and disunity through love, humility, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
INTRODUCTION
Division is one of the greatest enemies of progress in families, churches, communities, and nations. It creates suspicion, destroys trust, weakens relationships, and prevents people from working together towards a common goal. Sometimes division begins with a minor misunderstanding, an offensive statement, jealousy, pride, tribal differences, or a struggle for recognition. When these issues are not properly handled, they can develop into walls that separate people who were once united.
In Ephesians 2, the Apostle Paul explains how Jesus Christ brought together people who had formerly been separated. The Jews and Gentiles had significant religious and cultural divisions, but through His death on the cross, Christ broke down the wall of partition and created a new community in Himself. He did not merely encourage them to tolerate one another; He established a new basis for their relationship with God and with one another. Their common identity in Christ became greater than the differences that had divided them.
Today, God still desires to tear down every wall that hinders love, fellowship, unity, and spiritual growth. These walls may exist between husbands and wives, parents and children, church leaders and members, ministry departments, ethnic groups, or friends. The answer is not to pretend that differences do not exist, but to allow Christ to rule our hearts and relationships. When we surrender our pride, practise forgiveness, speak truth in love, and pursue peace, we become instruments through whom God restores unity.
1. UNDERSTANDING THE WALLS THAT DIVIDE PEOPLE
Before a wall can be torn down, it must be recognised. Many people complain about division without examining the attitudes and behaviours that created it. Some walls are built through repeated offences, while others are formed by prejudice, competition, bitterness, or the refusal to communicate. A wall may begin in the mind before it becomes visible in a relationship.
The tragedy of division is that it often causes people to focus more on their differences than on what they share. In the Church, believers may belong to the same Lord, read the same Bible, and worship the same God, yet allow personal preferences to separate them. Understanding the causes of division helps us identify what must change.
a) Pride Creates Separation (Proverbs 13:10) – Scripture teaches that pride produces contention, while wisdom is associated with those who receive counsel. Pride makes people believe they are always right and that others must always submit to their opinions. It prevents apologies, rejects correction, and turns simple disagreements into major conflicts. To tear down walls of division, we must humble ourselves before God and be willing to listen, learn, and admit when we are wrong.
b) Unforgiveness Keeps Walls Standing (Hebrews 12:15) – Bitterness can take root when an offence is repeatedly remembered and rehearsed. Instead of seeking healing, an offended person may use the past as a reason to maintain hostility. Unforgiveness harms the heart of the person who carries it and may spread conflict to others. We must bring our wounds to God and seek His grace to forgive, while still using wisdom and appropriate boundaries where necessary.
c) Prejudice Promotes Unjust Separation (James 2:1-4) – The Bible warns believers against showing favouritism based on outward appearance or social status. Prejudice causes people to judge others by tribe, wealth, education, background, or position rather than by their character and dignity. The gospel calls us to treat people fairly and to recognise that every human being deserves respect.
d) Poor Communication Intensifies Conflict (Proverbs 18:13) – Answering a matter before hearing it fully is described in Scripture as folly and shame. Many relationships are damaged because people react to rumours, assume the worst, or speak before understanding the facts. Listening carefully, asking questions, and communicating honestly can prevent unnecessary division.
Biblical Example: The Dispute Between Abraham's and Lot's Herdsmen (Genesis 13:5-9)
As Abraham and Lot prospered, the land could no longer support all their livestock together, and their herdsmen began to quarrel. Abraham recognised the danger of allowing the disagreement to destroy their relationship. He proposed a peaceful separation and allowed Lot to choose first. This teaches us that recognising the source of conflict and responding humbly can prevent a disagreement from becoming a lasting wall of division.
2. JESUS CHRIST IS THE FOUNDATION OF TRUE UNITY
The central message of Ephesians 2:14 is that Christ Himself is our peace. Paul does not present unity as something humanity can achieve through human strength alone. Christ establishes peace by reconciling sinners to God and bringing people from formerly divided groups into one body.
True Christian unity is therefore more than outward cooperation or the absence of arguments. It is a spiritual reality founded upon the work of Jesus Christ. When believers recognise that they have all received mercy, they have less reason to boast over one another and more reason to walk in humility and love.
a) Christ Breaks Down the Wall of Partition (Ephesians 2:14) – Through His death, Jesus removed the barrier that separated Jews and Gentiles from sharing together in the blessings of God's redeemed people. The verse reminds us that Christ opposes hostility that undermines the unity He has established. We must reject attitudes of superiority and exclusion that contradict His reconciling work.
b) Christ Reconciles Us to God (Romans 5:1) – Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Before we can properly understand the unity Christ desires among His people, we must recognise our own need for His grace. We were not reconciled to God because we were better than others; we were reconciled because Christ loved us and gave Himself for us.
c) Christ Creates One New People (Ephesians 2:15) – Paul explains that Christ made the two groups into one new man, establishing peace. The gospel does not require everyone to have the same culture, personality, or background. Rather, it brings believers into a new spiritual community where their identity in Christ is greater than the differences that once divided them.
d) Christ Brings Us into One Body (Ephesians 2:16) – Through the cross, Christ reconciles both groups to God in one body, putting hostility to death. The Church must therefore be a place where people experience belonging, fellowship, and spiritual growth. We must not rebuild through pride and prejudice the walls that Christ came to tear down.
Biblical Example: The Early Church at Pentecost (Acts 2:5-11, 41-47)
At Pentecost, people from many nations heard the wonderful works of God proclaimed in languages they could understand. Those who received the gospel joined the community of believers, devoting themselves to teaching, fellowship, prayer, and generosity. Their shared faith demonstrated the power of God to bring people from different backgrounds into a united spiritual family.
3. TEARING DOWN WALLS THROUGH LOVE AND FORGIVENESS
Love is one of the most powerful instruments God has given us for overcoming division. Love does not mean that we approve of every action or ignore wrongdoing. It means that we treat people with dignity, seek their good, and refuse to allow hatred to control our response.
Forgiveness is also essential because no relationship can survive for long without the willingness to deal with offences. Every person makes mistakes, and every close relationship will face moments of disappointment. When forgiveness is absent, offences become building blocks for walls of resentment. When love and forgiveness are practised, healing and restoration become possible.
a) Love Others as Christ Has Loved You (John 13:34-35) – Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another as He had loved them. His love was sacrificial, patient, and purposeful. Christian love must go beyond words and become visible through kindness, service, respect, and concern for others. When we love as Christ commands, our relationships become stronger and our witness becomes clearer.
b) Forgive as God Has Forgiven You (Colossians 3:13) – The Bible instructs believers to bear with one another and forgive one another, just as Christ has forgiven them. Forgiveness breaks the cycle of retaliation and prevents past offences from controlling present relationships. It does not automatically restore trust or remove the need for accountability, but it releases personal vengeance and opens the door to healing.
c) Overcome Evil with Good (Romans 12:21) – Scripture commands us not to be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good. When someone offends us, our natural response may be to retaliate, embarrass the person, or spread damaging information. The way of Christ calls us to respond with integrity and self-control rather than allowing another person's wrongdoing to determine our character.
d) Pursue Peace with Humility (Ephesians 4:2-3) – Believers are called to walk with lowliness, meekness, patience, and forbearance in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Unity requires intentional effort. We must be willing to listen, apologise, forgive, and make reasonable adjustments for the good of our relationships.
Biblical Example: Joseph Forgives His Brothers (Genesis 45:1-15; 50:19-21)
Joseph's brothers had treated him cruelly, selling him into slavery and causing years of separation from his family. Yet when God elevated Joseph to a position where he could help them, he chose to provide for them rather than take revenge. Joseph did not deny the evil they had done, but he recognised God's providence and extended mercy. His response illustrates how forgiveness can prevent past offences from controlling the future.
4. DESTROYING WALLS OF DIVISION IN THE FAMILY
The family is one of the first places where the effects of division become evident. Misunderstandings between spouses, competition among siblings, unresolved disagreements between parents and children, and interference from outsiders can weaken family relationships. When these problems are ignored, members of the same household may begin to live like strangers.
God desires families to be places of love, support, respect, and godly instruction. Family unity does not mean that every member must agree on every issue. It means that disagreements are handled with patience, truth, mutual respect, and a commitment to the wellbeing of the household.
a) Husbands and Wives Must Walk in Mutual Love (Ephesians 5:25, 33) – Scripture calls husbands to love their wives sacrificially and instructs the wife to respect her husband. A marriage is strengthened when both partners seek to understand one another and take responsibility for their own conduct. Pride, insults, silent hostility, and constant accusations build walls, while tenderness, honest communication, and mutual consideration help tear them down.
b) Parents Must Nurture Their Children with Wisdom (Ephesians 6:4) – Parents are instructed not to provoke their children to wrath but to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Harshness, favouritism, and unfair treatment can create resentment within the home. Parents should correct their children with love, listen to their concerns, and model the forgiveness and integrity they expect from them.
c) Siblings Must Reject Jealousy and Rivalry (Genesis 45:4-5) – Sibling relationships can be damaged by comparison, competition, perceived favouritism, and disputes over possessions or inheritance. Instead of allowing jealousy to grow, family members should learn to celebrate one another's progress and handle disagreements honestly. The restoration between Joseph and his brothers demonstrates that God can bring healing even after serious family wounds.
d) Families Must Build Altars of Prayer and God's Word (Joshua 24:15) – Joshua declared that he and his household would serve the Lord. Families grow stronger when they make room for prayer, Scripture, worship, and meaningful conversation. Spiritual practices do not eliminate every disagreement, but they help establish shared values and direct family members towards God's wisdom.
Biblical Example: The Reconciliation of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 33:1-11)
Jacob and Esau had been separated by a painful family conflict involving deception and the loss of a blessing. Years later, Jacob approached Esau with humility, and Esau received him with an embrace. Their meeting demonstrates that God can work in wounded family relationships and make room for reconciliation when people approach one another with humility and a willingness to make peace.
5. TEARING DOWN WALLS WITHIN THE CHURCH
The Church is the body of Christ, called to demonstrate the unity and love of God. Yet divisions can arise through leadership disagreements, ministry competition, personal preferences, doctrinal misunderstandings, gossip, and the pursuit of recognition. Such divisions weaken fellowship and distract believers from the mission Christ has entrusted to them.
Church unity does not mean that leaders should ignore sin, silence legitimate concerns, or prevent responsible accountability. Biblical unity is built upon truth, righteousness, love, and submission to Christ. A united Church can disagree on secondary matters without allowing those disagreements to become excuses for hatred and division.
a) Reject Factions and Party Spirit (1 Corinthians 1:10-13) – Paul challenged the Corinthian believers because they were identifying themselves with different leaders and allowing divisions to develop. No human minister should become the centre of a believer's identity above Jesus Christ. We should appreciate the gifts of our leaders without turning loyalty to individuals into competition or hostility.
b) Recognise the Value of Every Member (1 Corinthians 12:21-26) – The body needs all its members, and no member can rightly claim that another is unnecessary. Church workers should not despise people whose gifts are less visible, nor should prominent ministers regard themselves as more important than others. Every believer has a role to play in building the body of Christ.
c) Speak the Truth in Love (Ephesians 4:15) – Christian unity is not maintained by hiding every problem or pretending that nothing is wrong. Believers must be able to address concerns honestly, but their words and methods should reflect the character of Christ. Truth without love can wound unnecessarily, while love without truth can permit destructive behaviour to continue.
d) Pursue the Things That Build Others Up (Romans 14:19) – Scripture encourages believers to pursue the things that make for peace and edify one another. Before making a statement, sharing a rumour, or taking a position in a dispute, we should ask whether our actions will help build the Church or deepen its wounds. Our goal must be the spiritual growth of God's people, not the victory of personal interests.
Biblical Example: The Resolution of the Dispute in Acts 6:1-7
A complaint arose in the early Church because some widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. The apostles did not dismiss the concern; they addressed it by establishing a fair and practical arrangement. The solution helped meet the needs of the affected people and enabled the ministry of the Word to continue. This teaches that divisions can be prevented or healed when concerns are heard and handled wisely.
6. BECOME AN AGENT OF RECONCILIATION
God does not call believers merely to avoid creating divisions; He calls us to become agents of reconciliation. Some people intensify conflicts by spreading rumours, taking sides without understanding the facts, or repeating offensive words. Others bring healing by listening carefully, encouraging repentance, correcting misinformation, and helping people seek a godly solution.
Being a peacemaker requires courage, wisdom, patience, and spiritual maturity. We must not confuse peacekeeping with covering up injustice or forcing wounded people into unsafe situations. Genuine reconciliation respects truth, acknowledges wrongdoing, and seeks a path towards peace that honours God and protects those involved.
a) Receive the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18) – God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation. This calling begins with the gospel, but it also shapes how we relate to people. We should help others find peace with God and encourage relationships to be restored wherever it is wise and possible.
b) Listen Before You Judge (James 1:19) – Believers are instructed to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. A peacemaker does not rush to conclusions or condemn someone based on one side of a story. Listening carefully helps uncover misunderstandings, gives people an opportunity to explain themselves, and reduces unnecessary anger.
c) Correct Wrongdoing with Gentleness (Galatians 6:1) – When someone is overtaken in a fault, Scripture instructs spiritual believers to restore that person in a spirit of meekness, considering themselves also. Correction should aim at restoration rather than humiliation. A godly peacemaker combines compassion with accountability and remembers the need for God's grace in every life.
d) Follow the Example of the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) – Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. His life reveals the character of God's kingdom through truth, compassion, holiness, humility, and sacrificial love. As we follow Him, we become better equipped to calm disputes, encourage forgiveness, and help others discover the transforming power of the gospel.
Biblical Example: Barnabas Encourages Saul's Acceptance (Acts 9:26-28)
After Saul's conversion, many disciples were afraid to accept him because of his former persecution of the Church. Barnabas took him to the apostles and explained how Saul had encountered the Lord and preached boldly in Damascus. Barnabas helped overcome suspicion by providing credible testimony and facilitating acceptance. His action reminds us that a wise and courageous person can help remove barriers and create room for restored fellowship.
CONCLUSION
The walls of division may be built through pride, prejudice, bitterness, jealousy, misunderstanding, and selfish ambition, but they do not have to remain standing. Jesus Christ has broken down the wall of partition through His reconciling work and established a new foundation for peace. Through His grace, we can overcome hostility, forgive offences, restore damaged relationships, and build unity in our families and churches. True unity does not require the absence of differences; it requires that we place our differences under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and treat one another according to His Word.
Examine your heart today and identify any wall you may have helped to build. Ask God for the humility to apologise where you are wrong, the grace to forgive those who have offended you, and the wisdom to address conflict truthfully and lovingly. Refuse to spread rumours, encourage factions, or allow bitterness to control your decisions. Become a builder of bridges rather than walls, a messenger of reconciliation rather than division, and a peacemaker in every place God has positioned you. Let Christ tear down every wall that prevents His love from being seen through your life.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, search my heart and remove every attitude of pride, jealousy, prejudice, and bitterness that creates division, in Jesus name.
2. Lord Jesus, tear down every wall of hostility standing between me and others, and teach me to walk in Your love, in Jesus name.
3. Father, give me the grace to forgive those who have offended me and release every burden of resentment, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, restore peace, understanding, and unity in my family, and heal every relationship wounded by conflict, in Jesus name.
5. Father, preserve the unity of Your Church and deliver us from gossip, factions, unhealthy competition, and selfish ambition, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, teach me to listen carefully, speak wisely, and respond to disagreements with patience and humility, in Jesus name.
7. Father, expose and correct every misunderstanding that has created unnecessary division among Your people, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, make me a courageous and wise peacemaker who promotes truth, justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation, in Jesus name.
9. Father, let the love of Christ overcome ethnic prejudice, social discrimination, hatred, and every form of unjust separation around me, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, use my life to build unity, strengthen relationships, and bring many people into reconciliation with You, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. You shall receive grace to recognise and remove every ungodly attitude that has contributed to division in your relationships.
2. The love of Christ shall grow stronger in your heart, and bitterness, hatred, and the desire for revenge shall not control your conduct.
3. You shall receive wisdom to handle disagreements with humility, speak truth in love, and pursue peace without compromising righteousness.
4. Your family shall grow in understanding, mutual respect, forgiveness, and unity as every member learns to honour God and one another.
5. Your church shall be strengthened in love and fellowship, and personal ambition shall not be allowed to replace the shared mission of the gospel.
6. You shall not be a source of gossip, hostility, or unnecessary conflict; your words and actions shall help build others up.
7. You shall have the courage to apologise when you are wrong, the grace to forgive when you are hurt, and the wisdom to establish healthy boundaries when necessary.
8. God shall use you to bring understanding where there is confusion, encouragement where there is discouragement, and reconciliation where peace is possible.
9. You shall recognise the dignity and worth of people from different backgrounds and refuse to participate in prejudice or unjust discrimination.
10. Through the grace of Jesus Christ, you shall become a faithful ambassador of reconciliation, and your life shall demonstrate the power of Christ to tear down the walls of division, in Jesus' mighty name. Amen.
