by Jack P. Carter

(August 2023)

“It’s not good for the man to be alone.” This is a very familiar quote when the topic is the
man/woman relationship. This relationship would prove to be the first critical building block in
God’s design for mankind in general. From the beginning, He declares that we need each other.
God’s ideal for this togetherness was that a family would be the unit made up of people that
would work together to help each other fulfill God’s design for man. There would be the day-to-
day task-oriented matters, but also the things pertaining to the personal. He wanted us to learn
that together we are better—we are stronger. But it isn’t just a matter of being close as a family;
it is a closeness that was intended to include Him.
You don’t have to fast-forward very far after the creation to see this design, when not
observed, leads to the exact opposite results of God’s ideal. In the Garden of Eden, Eve finds
herself in a conversation with the serpent. Was Adam present at the time of this conversation?
The scripture tells us that after her conversation with the serpent, she admitted that the fruit
was appealing (her reasons) and desirable for reasons supplied by the serpent. The interval of
time between this conversation and the eating of the fruit is not specifically stated. It is
reasonable to conclude that she was alone or isolated. The help she needed wasn’t there. Also,
conspicuously absent from her contemplations was God Himself.
The whole of the Old Testament is replete with examples of the pattern that men when
isolated are weak. When men are unified in their purpose, they can become an unstoppable force.
We see in the tower of Babel what unity can produce. We understand that the shortcomings of
this effort were that God was not consulted or included. Nevertheless, the fact that men are
stronger when aided by other men is irrefutable. Stronger together is God’s design even if men
often use the unity improperly.
The influence of the wrong voices in our ear is a problem that man has dealt with since the
Garden of Eden. There is no shortage of those who would seek to “help” us with their sage
advice. Many are well-intentioned. A significant telltale sign that a closer examination of the
advice is warranted is whether God’s counsel is conspicuously absent. Ultimately, it is up to each
of us to verify if the help being offered is according to God’s design.
So why present this message about something very basic and elementary? Because I’m not
sure we give enough weight to the dangers of spiritual isolation versus the benefits of staying
“close to home.” Though it may be an extreme example of what I mean, the parable of the
Prodigal Son comes to mind. There are far too many Christians who unnecessarily “go it alone”

when facing a challenge. Sometimes it can be a result of pride, but I wonder how much it is a
result of just forgetting to seek help from others. It would not surprise me to know that this is a
struggle more for the “seasoned Christian” than a recent convert. It is possible that we may
perceive our struggle as not rising to the importance of “bothering anyone” with it. After all, who
wants to be labeled as weak or someone who whines? “Oh, what peace we often forfeit. Oh,
what needless pain we bear.” Though these words from a familiar song are about prayer, they
nevertheless admonish us to guard against isolating ourselves.
Just as we are vulnerable to Satan if we do isolate ourselves, God has much more power if
we don’t. In fact, we can break the isolation barrier if we understand that the efforts we make
according to God’s design do not happen in a vacuum. It is easy to see yourself as a “small” cog
in a larger congregation, but if you are working while giving and receiving help in your efforts, it
cannot go unnoticed. If you are a member in a small congregation that feels isolated from the rest
of the brotherhood, I would like to encourage you to understand that encouragement is not only a
matter of proximity, but it can also most certainly be a matter of influence from far away.
Consider what Paul had to say to the church in Rome. “First, I thank my God through Jesus
Christ for you, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world” (Romans
1:8). They were “a city set on a hill.”
Consider also what Paul had to say to the Philippians. “Now I want you to know, brethren,
that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel so that my
imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian
guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my
imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear” (Philippians 1:12-
14). The Lord’s work is a contagion. But you must be around each other to catch it.
God’s design that He gave from the very beginning works and it works very well. Let’s
purpose to help others and to seek help when we need it. And, by the way, don’t forget to include
the Designer.

jack@rockymountainchristian.com