Bryant Wright, Founder

“For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.” Matthew 10:35–36

These words from Jesus are hard to hear. They sound troubling, even harsh. Why would the Prince of Peace talk about division within families? Was Jesus encouraging conflict in the home? Of course not. What He was saying is that when following Jesus divides your family, it’s not because you’ve done something wrong—it’s because truth often brings tension before it brings peace.

When a person decides to follow Christ in a family of unbelievers, others may feel threatened or offended. They might assume the believer is claiming to be “right” while everyone else is “wrong.” That can lead to tension, resentment, or even rejection.

If you’ve ever felt that kind of rejection, remember this: they’re not ultimately rejecting you—they’re rejecting Christ in you. Jesus understands that pain. He was rejected, too. But He also promised that those who stand firm in their faith will never stand alone.

So what do you do when your faith divides your family? Keep loving them. Keep praying for them. Stay steady and let your life speak for itself. Over time, your faithful witness may be what draws them to Jesus.

Following Jesus isn’t always easy. But the same love that can cause division today could one day bring unity tomorrow—when hearts turn to Him.

DIG DEEPER
Read “When Your Family Just Doesn’t Get It” also by Bryant Wright