The devil is shrewd.  He will use any development in the world to divide brethren and weaken the cause of Christ.  The unfortunate emergence of the Coronavirus around the world is one such development.  Satan is taking full advantage of this pandemic to drive a wedge between brethren.

You would have to have your head in the sand not to know how divisive the subject of COVID-19 has become in this country.  While social distancing is encouraged, it is the wearing of masks that seems to divide people the most, perhaps because it is something that can be observed immediately.  The different opinions regarding the masks have led to acts of stupidity, ranging from obscene name-calling to spitting in someone’s face.

Sadly, the same divisiveness that exists in the world has crept into the church.  Brethren are divided over whether we should be meeting in a building for worship services or not.  If we do meet, brethren are not united on how we should conduct ourselves.  Should we wear masks or not?  If so, for which part of the services, all or just portions of it?  Should we practice social distancing to the letter, never coming within six feet of each other, or is it okay to be a little more lax when it comes to that?

There are other issues involved, but you get the point—brethren are divided when it comes to COVID-19 and how to deal with it.  Personally, I have said very little about it publicly because, quite frankly, my thoughts on it are too scattered to be of any real value in a discussion.  But, one thing I worry about is the division the issue is causing in the church.

There is not much we can do about the differences of opinion that are among us regarding this pandemic because it is not addressed in the Bible.  Whatever your view is of it, it is not likely that someone who takes the opposing view will be able to change your mind about it.  Maybe some have changed their thinking on the subject since it all began, but the numbers are few compared to those who are dung into their position.  This tells me that the divide will continue in the church, just like it will in the world, until the virus goes away, or at least is more controllable.

While there is not much we can do about the differences among us regarding this pandemic, there is something that is well within our control, and it is something that the Bible does address—how we treat one another.  I am perturbed by the attitude and behavior of brethren on both sides of this issue.  So, let me tell you what we must do, and we should start right now.

First, stop judging each other.  I hear brethren who believe we should probably not be meeting together at this time, and if we do, we should be wearing masks at all times, suggesting that those who do not feel the same way are demonstrating a lack of love.  I hear brethren who believe that we should have never stopped meeting and that the masks are probably unnecessary, suggesting that those who do not feel the same way are demonstrating a lack of faith.  STOP IT!  Both sides are playing into the devil’s hands.

Romans 14:4 (ESV)
⁴  Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Some may be demonstrating either a lack of love or faith, in this crisis, but I am not going to broadly conclude that everyone who disagrees with me on this falls into one of these categories because I cannot read the hearts of my brethren.  Can you? If you cannot, stop passing judgment and let God take care of it.

Second, let us all keep our opinions to ourselves.  Do not try to hunt down brethren at the building who take your side of the issue so you can talk about how absurd the other position is.  Fight the urge to talk others into taking your position, or to talk about those who do not.  Whatever you believe is between you and God.  Do your best to be true to your convictions and give everyone else the right to do the same with theirs.

Third, let us continue to treat each other with love and kindness like God expects.  Remember, a pandemic does not give us the right to judge unfairly, gossip about others, or think that we are spiritually superior to anyone else.  Let us give one another the benefit of the doubt, knowing that we are all just trying to serve God, and do what is right in His eyes.

Fourth, try not to forget that the ones who have the biggest challenge among us are our elders.  It is easy to think you know what you would do in their place when you do not actually have a hundred and fifty souls with whom to be concerned.  Our elders are doing a good job.  You may not agree with every decision that they make regarding this pandemic, but they are still our elders.  Their job is to rule, and ours is to submit (Hebrews 13:17).

As a local church, we have been too strong, for too long, to let the devil divide us over a pandemic.  Until this virus passes, let us all do our best to be fair with each other, and be mindful of how our actions will impact this church, even after the pandemic is gone.