Our enemy is relentless. Peter warned us in 1 Peter 5:7-8 1 Peter 5:7-8 [7] Casting all your care on him; for he cares for you. [8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:
American King James Version×that we must be ever vigilant and resist the attacks of the enemy. Just because we've been hurt badly and are a much smaller church than we once were does not mean the devil has packed up and retired. He will never stop attacking us until he is locked up for good. His tactics are well known: distract, discourage, divide and overwhelm with despair. And yet, knowing this, we still fall for the same temptations.

One of the devil's tried and true tactics is to get brethren to do his dirty work for him, by enticing us to sow discord and division in the Church. God hates the sowing of division. God's Spirit in us will be peaceable and patient (1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:22-23 Galatians 5:22-23 [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
American King James Version×). Deeply converted people do not argue and wrangle over doctrine (2 Timothy 2:24-26 2 Timothy 2:24-26 [24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, [25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; [26] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
American King James Version×).

Pride revels in being right and winning the argument. Human nature is impatient, but godly love patiently waits for God to set the record straight in His time and in His way. Paul advised us that when we believe a thing that would cause someone else to stumble, that we must keep it between us and God alone (Romans 14:22 Romans 14:22Have you faith? have it to yourself before God. Happy is he that comdemns not himself in that thing which he allows.
American King James Version×).

We need to focus on the big picture—God's Kingdom—and not be distracted from our true calling to focus on minutiae. Don't fall into the trap of obsessing about some issues and falling short in the weightier matters (as the Pharisees did). Don't be distracted by the world and its problems (1 John 2:15 1 John 2:15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
American King James Version×; 2 Timothy 2:4 2 Timothy 2:4No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.
American King James Version×). Let worldly people deal with worldly problems (Matthew 8:22 Matthew 8:22But Jesus said to him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
American King James Version×).

Don't be pulled into causes, controversies or crusades to the detriment of your true calling. Paul urged us to focus on our true calling, casting all else aside, and to not neglect the fabulous opportunity that God has offered us (Hebrews 12:1-2 Hebrews 12:1-2 [1] Why seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
American King James Version×, 2:1-3).