What happens if believers bite and devour one another?
They risk being consumed—literally eaten up by those they treat as adversaries. This conduct, especially bearing false witness and damaging a fellow believer's character, will eat them alive. Paul warns that such destructive behavior ultimately turns back on the one practicing it among believers.
Les explains that Galatians 5:15 is an admonition. The idea of biting and devouring one another primarily takes in the commandment about bearing false witness, because a person's character can be destroyed in five minutes. He compares it to the political system, where a derogatory comment or innuendo puts someone on the defense and the public treats them as guilty until they prove themselves innocent. Paul tells believers this is the same thing they do to each other: every time they say something nasty about a fellow believer, they by implication put that person in the place of defending their character. Paul says to be careful, because it will eat you alive. If you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed, literally eaten up by those to whom you are being an adversary.
But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
More Questions
What commandment is primarily involved when believers bite and devour one another?
The admonition about biting and devouring one another primarily involves the commandment against bearing false witness.