“Six Types Of Splits” [Reflections on Sun Tsu's Art Of War #11-9-1-6 (1 Cor.13;15:24-28;10:27ff;7:12; Eph.4:3;Gal.3:28; Acts 6:1;1Thes.5:13;James 4:1;Matt.12:48; 11:28; Jer.6:14; 1Jn.4:18; 1 Kings 18)

“Seek unity in bond of peace” Paul wrote;
To fracas wild and woolly what he spoke;
Sun Tsu said something similar, in fact,
“Good leaders keep their huge arrays intact –

But also know just how to bring about
Six types of splits in ranks, so folks would tout
Their leadership of ancient times as “Best”,
For they could make their foes a hornets’ nest –

Of splits and animosity real quick,
So life and work within such ranks was sick;
Their leaders new not just the “What” but “How”,
Enabling their troops to hit – Ka-pow!

The Van (or front) and rear-most troops must be
Aligned in all regards in unity;
If there is a break between these two, there’s loss;
A wedge between them carries heavy cost.

An army needs its groupings large and small,
With harmony between them one and all;
A split between main body and small teams,
Means major problems with morale, it seems.

Crack troops have role to play – uniquely placed
In terms of larger forces – in this case,
If there’s a rupture in assistance given
Between these groups, a major problem’s risen.

If leaders and the led have falling out,
The problems rise quite quickly, there’s no doubt;
A role exists for each – needs harmony
To work as one, create each victory.

Sometimes diffused deployment is the key,
But folks still need a sense of unity;
If they can’t re-assemble when they are asked,
Then trouble has emerged, again, quite fast.

The sixth and final split Sun Tzu has raised,
Is in coherence of the troops, which plays
A vital role in functioning as “one”;
With troops disordered, winning days are done.

Church squabbles are a major source of pain;
Resentments floating ’round are satan’s game;
But I’d not seen reverse is useful tool –
For satan’s group it’s selfishness that’s cool.

The Babel-allergy between two groups,
Is operating fully in his troops;
So stop placating, or enabling peace,
Where there’s no peace – but offer true release.

So try to “Turn” their troops, or “Plant a seed”,
By your exampled-life create a need
In others – when alternatives they see,
Perhaps deciding, “That’s the place for me!”

The Kingdom-layer life is awesome, Lord;
The inner tension’s gone; and need for sword
To thrust and parry at your kith and kin
As love (that’s work for others) casts out sin.

Lord, thanks for this amazing insight given;
For splits and rifts, so common under heaven,
Have resolution in Your larger plan;
Relieved indeed here in Your merry band!

Thanks Lord for this.

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