The Fire That Divides

When we think of Jesus, many of us picture the Prince of Peace, the healer of the sick, the one who fed the multitudes and calmed the storm. And He is indeed all of these things. But Luke 12:49–53, Jesus gives us words that cut deeply:

“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! … Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”

At first, this seems shocking. How could the Son of God, who taught us to “love your enemies” and “turn the other cheek,” also say He brings division?

The Fire of Christ’s Love

Jesus is not talking about earthly fire meant to destroy, but the fire of His divine love and truth. This fire purifies, burns away sin, and ignites courage in the hearts of His followers. It is the fire of the Holy Spirit that descended at Pentecost and continues to spread wherever the Gospel is proclaimed. But fire, by its very nature, forces a choice: it cannot be ignored. When Christ’s truth enters a household, some will accept it and be transformed, while others may resist it. This creates tension - even within families.

Division as a Consequence of Truth

The division Jesus speaks of is not His ultimate goal, but the inevitable result of truth confronting sin. When light shines in darkness, darkness resists. The prophet Simeon foretold this to Mary when she brought Jesus to the Temple:

“Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel… and you yourself a sword will pierce” (Luke 2:34–35).

To follow Jesus is to take a stand. And sometimes, that stand means not fitting in with the world’s ways. It may even mean facing ridicule from family, friends, or society.

The Enemy Never Rests

We must remember that our struggle is not just with cultural pressures or strained family ties - it is with the spiritual enemy who wants to pull us away from Christ. St. Peter warns us:

“Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). 

The devil thrives in distraction, compromise, and lukewarm faith. He will use division to sow despair, but Christ uses division to reveal who is truly His.

Our Call- Love Without Compromise

Though the Gospel divides, it also gives life. We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30) and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This doesn’t mean watering down truth for the sake of comfort. It means standing firm in love, refusing to compromise our faith, even when it costs us relationships or acceptance.

A Modern Fire - Using Media for Good

Today, many households are divided not only by faith, but by the influence of media that glorifies sin - celebrating greed, violence, and selfishness. Yet God has given us tools to counter this. 

Platforms like SmartGuy.com provide faith-filled videos on humility, forgiveness, patience, spiritual warfare, and evangelization - practical ways to fuel the fire of faith in daily life. Sharing a single faith-based video on social media can touch hundreds of people and spark conversations that matter.

Standing With Courage

The Gospel reminds us that faith in Christ is not a comfortable path, but a courageous one. To follow Jesus may set you against the current of the world, but it also sets you on fire with His Spirit. So when you feel that division in your family, friendships, or community, remember: you are not abandoned. You are standing in the very fire Christ came to ignite. And that fire, though it may burn, is the same fire that purifies and leads to eternal life. As St. Catherine of Siena once said:

“Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.”

Call to Action: Let the fire of Christ burn brightly in your life. Pray daily, read Scripture, go to Mass, and fuel your soul with resources that strengthen your resolve. Explore videos on faith and character at SmartGuy.com - and share them. By doing so, you’ll not only deepen your own fire, but help set hearts ablaze for Christ.