Question 1

What causes divisions?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 3:3You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?Galatians 5:19-21When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy.James 4:1-3What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.Jude 1:17-19You, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.The desire to get what we want, even if it means hurting others to do it, creates conflict and division in any community. This is no less true in many of our churches, and certainly not God’s plan for us.Proverbs 13:10Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.Pride, the belief that we are correct or that our opinion is the most important, quickly leads to conflict and division.Genesis 26:12-16When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him. He became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow. He acquired so many flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and servants that the Philistines became jealous of him. So the Philistines filled up all of Isaac’s wells with dirt. These were the wells that had been dug by the servants of his father, Abraham. Finally, Abimelech ordered Isaac to leave the country. “Go somewhere else,” he said, “for you have become too powerful for us.”James 3:16Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.Jealousy over what others have breeds resentment in our hearts.Proverbs 28:25Greed causes fighting; trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.1 Corinthians 11:18, 20-21First, I hear that there are divisions among you when you meet as a church, and to some extent I believe it. . . . When you meet together, you are not really interested in the Lord’s Supper. For some of you hurry to eat your own meal without sharing with others. As a result, some go hungry while others get drunk.When greed—the desire to always have more—governs our actions, our unity in Christ is quickly shattered by jealousy and conflict.Proverbs 15:18A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.Proverbs 29:22An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.Proverbs 30:33As the beating of cream yields butter and striking the nose causes bleeding, so stirring up anger causes quarrels.Anger can quickly grow out of control, leading to open conflict.Mark 9:34They [Jesus’ disciples] didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.Mark 10:35-41Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.” “What is your request?” he asked. They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” . . . When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant.Personal ambition to get ahead no matter what the cost will cause division even among godly people.1 Corinthians 1:11-13Some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not!1 Corinthians 3:3-4You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world?1 Corinthians 4:6-7If you pay attention to what I have quoted from the Scriptures, you won’t be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another. For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?A partisan spirit or misplaced loyalty leads to division among God’s people.Romans 16:17Now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.1 Timothy 6:3-5Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.False teaching in the church will lead to manipulation and division among God’s people.Acts 15:37-40Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated.Philippians 4:2Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.Differences of opinion can lead to division among God’s people.1 Corinthians 6:1-6When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life.Litigation and disputes can cause needless division.

Question 2

Are some divisions necessary for God’s people?

Accepted Answer

Luke 12:51-53“Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against. “Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”John 6:66-67At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”John 9:16Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them.John 10:19-21When he [Jesus] said these things, the people were again divided in their opinions about him. Some said, “He’s demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?” Others said, “This doesn’t sound like a man possessed by a demon! Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”We must make a choice about Jesus. What we decide will lead to division, even among families, separating those who believe Jesus is the son of God from those who do not believe.2 Corinthians 6:14, 17Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? . . . “Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.”There must be clear distinctions between a Christian’s lifestyle and an unbeliever’s lifestyle. We must choose one path or the other; there is little common ground. This does not mean that Christians should not associate with unbelievers; it only means that our lives should look different. We are warned against alliances with unbelievers in marriage or business, since they may cause us to compromise our faith in ways we never thought possible.1 Corinthians 5:9-10When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.2 Thessalonians 3:6Now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us.1 Timothy 6:3-5Some people may contradict our teaching, . . . Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.2 Timothy 3:2-9They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires.There is to be a division between those truly committed to Jesus Christ and those who are part of the church but live sinful lives. Those who deliberately choose a sinful lifestyle cannot be allowed to live in the church alongside those who are striving to be holy. This will cause deep division and strife within the church. The church must stand for truth. While all people are sinners, the church can only function well when everyone is united in trying to live more committed lives for God.

Question 3

How can division be harmful?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 6:5“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.”Matthew 6:24“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”1 John 5:21Keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.Those who try to live with a divided heart will suffer significant pain and trouble, as they will be pulled constantly in more than one direction.John 10:16“I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.”John 17:21-23“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”When Christians are divided, their fellowship and witness to the outside world is seriously damaged.Genesis 16:5Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The Lord will show who’s wrong—you or me!”Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.Proverbs 13:10Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.Proverbs 17:19Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.Proverbs 22:10Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.Proverbs 26:20-21Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops. A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.Proverbs 30:33As the beating of cream yields butter and striking the nose causes bleeding, so stirring up anger causes quarrels.1 Corinthians 3:1-9You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world? After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.James 4:1What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?James 4:2You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them.Divisive quarrels are often a symptom of relational problems, such as bitterness, anger, jealousy, pride, immaturity, gossip, and ridicule. Divisive words flow from a divisive mind and heart.Galatians 5:19-21When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: . . . hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.People who live a lifestyle of picking fights and causing division risk forfeiting their eternal inheritance. The sin of divisiveness can have lasting consequences.

Question 4

When division harms us, how do we find healing?

Accepted Answer

Galatians 3:28There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.Ephesians 4:4-6There is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.True healing comes from our oneness with Jesus, which also naturally leads to oneness with each other.1 Corinthians 13:4-5Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.Colossians 3:12-15Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.We can lovingly forgive each other. Forgiveness is a powerful healing agent that restores our relationships and love toward one another.2 Timothy 4:11Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.Paul had previously rejected Mark as a partner in ministry, which led to a separation with Barnabas and a division of their original missionary team. But Paul obviously forgave Mark as he specifically requested Mark’s presence. We must be willing not only to forgive, but also to let ourselves and others change. Forgiveness sometimes involves forgetfulness, no longer allowing past conflicts to separate us from fellow believers.Philippians 2:2Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.When we unite our hearts, we dispose of what divides our hearts.Acts 15:36-41After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.We should continue to serve the Lord, realizing that God can use even our division for his good. When we serve despite our wounds, our service helps them heal.Romans 14:1Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.We can accept others without always agreeing in non-essentials, for that which could divide us need not divide us.1 Corinthians 6:7Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated?People will not always be willing to apologize, or to repay us what we think they owe. We may sometimes need to accept injustice and move forward. Accepting small wounds is better than inflicting greater ones.

Question 5

How do we prevent harmful divisions?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 1:10I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.Philippians 2:1-4Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.1 Peter 3:8Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.Unity of heart, purpose, and mind comes when everyone thinks about the same thing—serving others first and helping others before helping yourself. When everyone’s goal is to serve others, then everyone’s needs will be served. Nothing creates division more than selfishness, the desire to get what we want at the expense of others.Romans 12:18Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.Romans 14:19So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.Philippians 2:14-15Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.We can make peace a priority. Peace is not defined as the absence of conflict, but the relentless pursuit of the characteristics of peace: completeness, justice, love, unity, righteousness.Romans 15:5-6May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.Ephesians 4:1-3Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.When we seek the unity of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will encourage the unity of the Holy Spirit in the lives of others.Proverbs 15:1A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.Proverbs 17:27A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.Proverbs 25:15Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.2 Timothy 2:24-25A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.Titus 3:1-2Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.The words we speak have everything to do with whether we promote peace or disrupt it.Philippians 3:15-16Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.Starting with God’s truth as a point of agreement makes it easier to reconcile our divergent points of view.Acts 15:1-2, 6, 22, 25, 30-31While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question. . . . So the apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue. . . . Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders—Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas. . . . So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, . . . The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.We are to listen to one another before escalating any conflict. If many godly people are united in a matter, it is generally wise to accept their counsel.Proverbs 17:14Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.Proverbs 20:3Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.We can be sensitive to mounting tensions and address issues before they escalate into divisive quarrels.Proverbs 22:10Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.Proverbs 26:20-21Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops. A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.Romans 16:17Now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.Titus 3:10If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them.The company we keep heavily influences our thoughts and choices. It is wise to surround ourselves with people who will build us up in our walk with the Lord, not make it harder for us.

Divisions