Be Not Consumed One of Another

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:13-16

There are four important admonitions given in this section of Scripture: 1) by love serve one another, (ASV says “through love be servants one to another”, 2) love thy neighbor as thyself, 3) be not consumed one of another, 4) walk in the Spirit. The churches of Galatia evidently had a problem in these areas, just as churches today do. The particular problem of biting and devouring one another as seen in verse fifteen continues to be a problem today, as it was them. The solution is found in verses 13, 14 and 16. 1) through love be servants one to another, 2) love thy neighbor as thyself, 3) walk in the Spirit. If these here principles are applied to one’s life, the biting and devouring would not be a problem.

The word bite means, “to bite with the teeth metaphorically, to wound the soul, to cut, to lacerate, to rend with reproaches.” The word devour in Galatians 5:15 means “to ruin (by infliction or injuries). The word consumed means “to consume, use up, destroy.” The two verbs “bite” and “devour” are durative in nature meaning these are ongoing things. The verb “consume” is an aroist indicating what the end will be. The words bite and devour are words used of animals and is completely out of harmony with the nature of Christ and Christianity.

The late brother J. Noel Meredith summed his up quite well, “This language describes the opposite attitude of loving one’s neighbor as one loves himself. The words ‘bite’ and ‘devour’ are words used to describe the actions of animals. Such a course of action on the part of men professing to be like Christ is unthinkable, but not unknown. It is tragic when we engage in bitterness, backbiting and fighting, we simply destroy each other. This is sadly demonstrated in the fact that in some communities, the church kills its influence for good over the community because of the bickering and strife of the members.”

There are several biblical violations in this course of action. 1) loving one’s neighbor as one’s self (Galatians 5:14), 2) servanthood (Galatians 5:13), 3) walking in the spirit (Galatians 5:14), 4) forgiveness (Matthew 6:14,15), 5) controlling the tongue (James 1:26; James 3:1-12). The list could continue, but it is unnecessary. Enough has been said to establish the point.

People must realize that such activity will destroy the influence of the church. It will destroy and injure those talked about and will ultimately cause the one or ones doing the backbiting and devouring to be lost.

Bill Cantrell