In order to have a clique, you must exclude certain people. And to feel excluded hurts deeply. David experienced it: ‘The one who shared my food, has turned against me.’ (Psalm 41:9 NLT) Cliques are made up of weak people who are afraid to be different. They believe that as long as they’re with others who think and act like they do, they won’t be surprised or required to change. It may be human nature to crave this kind of consistency, but it’s dangerous. Cliques in the workplace create dissension, resulting in a miserable atmosphere for others. People are no longer regarded as individuals but as being ‘on this person’s side’ or ‘in that person’s corner’. Such cliques become nothing more than centres for gossip, backstabbing, affairs, and every imaginable mess people can create.

Satan tempts us with the security of ‘the group’ to prevent us from discovering our individual gifts and purposes and from doing God’s will. If you’re in a clique, break free as quickly as you can! Reject the pressure to conform to groupthink. This mentality can have you unexpectedly doing things you never thought you would do—whether it’s lowering your principles or remaining quiet while the group criticises someone. You may even fear being turned against by group members if you stand up for what’s right. Cliques facilitate racism and sexism, age discrimination, and the biased behaviour accompanying them. They gain their strength from excluding those who are different. And no matter how you justify it, it’s prejudice! You are God’s child—as are your colleagues and other church members—and you should treat them right.