Our earlier article taught us about co-laboring, which leads to collaboration.
Collaboration is the action of working with someone to produce or create something.
When we have collaboration, this means we have cooperation, participation, and teamwork.
God designed the Body of Christ to be many members that work together. God desires to have integration among His people. Integration causes amalgamation and unification. The simple definition of integration means to form, coordinate, or blend into a functioning or unified whole.
The members of the Body of Christ should coordinate and blend into a functioning or unified whole. When that does not happen, separation and segregation are the result.
1st Corinthians 1:13 AMP Has Christ been divided [into different parts]? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul? [Certainly not!]
As the scripture above mentions, Jesus Christ is not divided. He is whole, and the Body of Christ is whole. When we cannot collaborate, this is due to barriers that are in place to stop the Body of Christ from unifying. Satan places obstacles in the way to stop collaboration and unity between the saints of God.
Several barriers can hinder collaboration.
Competition: Competition causes people to hoard information for themselves and their own interests. Most people that are competitive or have internal competitiveness are unwilling to share resources which causes a barrier to collaboration.
James 3:16 AMP ‘For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder [unrest, rebellion] and every evil thing and morally degrading practice.
Pride: Those bound by pride normally want to obtain glory and shine. Working for a team effort will prevent these individuals from receiving individual recognition. All praise belongs to God, but this person wants the glory for themselves. These people come into the Body of Christ looking to be something instead of joining in with the Body of Christ as a unified member. This type of behavior always causes a barrier and disharmony. Remember, Satan, in his pride, wanted the glory God was receiving. His pride caused him to sow discord, leading to his fall.
Proverbs 16:18-19 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant). ‘
Fear: The fear of man brings about a snare. When people are afraid of others, it causes an issue with speaking up or providing their input. Due to a lack of confidence, fear also causes others not to want to be visible when they have ideas that would benefit the collective group. Like the competitive person, the fearful will also hold back their resources for fear of rejection.
Many people who fear a collaborative environment fear criticism or believe their ideas will not be considered. In the end, this causes a barrier to collaboration.
Proverbs 29:25 AMPC The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever leans on, trusts in, and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high.
Selfishness: Selfishness causes others to have selfish ambitions. They value themselves and their selfish desires above others. Being selfish and self-ambitious blocks collaboration because instead of co-laboring together for a common goal, selfish people are self-focused. In short, this person is a narcissist seeking self-gain.
Philippians 2:3-4 ‘Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ‘
Uneasiness (Distrust): Satan uses negative life experiences and disappointments to cause distrust. Distrust or doubt causes dissatisfaction and a lack of transparency. Trust is crucial for collaboration. Suppose we feel uneasy about one another’s intentions, abilities, or reliability? In that case, we may hesitate to share information, help, or delegate tasks. This lack of trust can create a hostile environment that inhibits collaboration.
Finally, the biggest barrier to collaboration is obstruction.
Obstruction:
An obstructionist is a person who deliberately delays or prevents progress. This person will take part in activities in the Body of Christ. However, due to their obstructive nature, they will deliberately delay or prevent progress on a particular project.
As we discussed above, selfishness and self-centeredness are a barrier to collaboration. If we say we walk in the light yet are self–centered and habitually cultivate an obstructionist attitude in our hearts, we are still in darkness.
1 John 2:9-11 KJV He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
Someone with an obstructionist heart will systematically block actions others want to carry out. This person is normally a resister, thwarter, and naysayer. The obstructionist has an aggressively negative attitude with the intent to slow down the process. Another definition of an obstructor is a separatist, like a person bound by pride which brings discord. This person deliberately brings forth separation. As a result, the obstructionist deliberately withholds information to impede the advancement of others.
This person is still in darkness and danger of eternal damnation unless they repent!
God calls us to have an unselfish love, which seeks the best for our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. When we have unselfish love, we will put no stumbling blocks or offense in their path. We work together in collaboration when we focus on Jesus!
In closing, I pray for unity and collaboration in the Body of Christ as we lay aside our selfish desires to advance God’s will.
Thanks for your time. Please comment below.
Written by: Tanicia Prioleau
Editor: Niomi Henry
Please visit our site for bible studies and teachings at omegaministries.org.
Manifested Sons Blog 