Genesis 11:4
“And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.”
One of the great cries you hear from those who have compromised is the need for unity. There are many modern day Balaam’s who vilify those who call out their compromising ways. It’s amazing how the name calling and inflammatory defenses they make for unity are never backed up with Scripture. They simply want unity at any cost.
The tower of Babel shows how unity can be very destructive. The people were of one language, and they determined to build a tower that reached unto heaven so that their name would be remembered. When God saw what they were doing, He confused their language and scattered them causing the project to fail. In this story, you see how unity can become destructive when it becomes the focus.
First, unity becomes destructive when it’s focused on the act of unity instead of truth. The end justified the means to these people. It didn't matter what they had to do to be unified; they just wanted unity at all costs so they could build the tower. There is nothing wrong with unity, but when it becomes the focus instead of truth, it then becomes wrong. Unity is supposed to be a result of people following truth. The Devil is a master of taking right out of order. Unity is good in its proper order. When unity is a result of doing truth, it is good. When unity replaces truth’s position of focus, it then becomes destructive. The Christian is to stay focused on truth and not unity.
Second, unity becomes destructive when it’s focused on personality instead of God. These people said, “…let us make us a name…” When you take your eyes off truth, you will always take them off God and place them on a personality. I’m amazed how Christians fight over a personality instead of contending for truth. Compromise is sure to follow whenever you unite over a personality. We must always remember that our eyes are to stay focused on God. If you stay focused on truth, you will not have any difficulty keeping God as your focal point.
Third, unity becomes destructive when it’s focused on human legacy instead of doing right. These people were more concerned with how they would be forgotten if they were “scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” This is the result of taking your eyes off God. Whenever you take your eyes off God, you will become concerned with your name and how you are remembered. Let me remind you that the Christian life is not about your legacy or anyone else’s for that fact. When the purpose of unity is to build a legacy, we will do whatever it takes to make our legacy happen even if it is wrong. You must stop worrying about how people are going to remember you when you are gone and just do right. If you do right, your legacy will take care of itself.
Friend, don't make the mistake of making unity your goal. Unity is supposed to be a result, not an action. If you will make truth your focus, God your horizon, and doing right your command, you will discover unity with those who have the same aim and desires.