The Sin Of Division

by Micky Galloway

Jesus prayed for unity among the apostles. “I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (one). They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:14-17). Jesus then prayed for unity among those who would believe the testimony of the apostles. “Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on methrough their word; that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, (art) in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me” (John 17:20-21). Paul condemned division. “Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and (that) there be no divisions among you; but (that) ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been signified unto me concerning you, my brethren, by them (that are of the household) of Chloe, that there are contentions among you” (I Corinthians 1:10-11). Truth unites! Both Jesus and Paul required that which is possible!

In the list of sins of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, we find “factions, divisions, parties.” These sins hold eternal consequences! “They who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

What is the division condemned in this passage? The word dichostasia is translated “sedition,” in the King James Version or “dissension,” “divisions,” “party spirit,” and “factions” in other translations. Dichostasia is not used often in the Scriptures. It is used here in Galatians 5 and again in Romans 16:17 in which Paul warns Christians to avoid those who create dissensions. The verb form is defined to “excite, unsettle, ‘to stir up to sedition,’ and is so translated in Acts 21:38” (Vine, Volume 3, Page 336). Thayer defines a closely related word “to cut into two parts, cleave asunder, dissever.” In still another related form Thayer gives a term that was used in ancient tortures wherein human bodies were literally cut in two (cf. Hebrews 11:37). As horrible as that is, think how much more terrible it is for men to divide the body of Christ, the church for which He died.

Division is sometimes an unavoidable reality. Paul said, “For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you” (I Corinthians 11:18-19). Even so, these divisions in the church were condemned. “Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and (that) there be no divisions among you; but (that) ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Corinthians 1:10). These divisions manifested that some in Corinth were “babes” and “carnal minded” (I Corinthians 3:3). Jesus came to divide. “Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law: and a man’s foes (shall be) they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:34-38). Painfully, truth sometimes even divides families.

Woe be to those who divide the Lord’s church by disseminating error. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent” (Romans 16:17-18). R.L. Whiteside comments, “‘Contrary to the doctrine which ye learned’ covers a wide field … The man who causes divisions in the Lord’s church by the introduction of things not taught is an enemy of Christ even though he may not think so (emphasis mine mg). His interest is in self, and not in Christ. ‘They that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly’.” The apostle John said, “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into (your) house, and give him no greeting: for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works” (II John 9-11). Paul said, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema” (Galatians 1:8). Note: That included even the apostle Peter (cf. Galatians 2:11ff).

Unfortunately personal differences cause division. The work of the church is gravely hindered by such difficulties between its members. If we apply the teaching of the Lord, these situations will not exist. Read and obey the teaching of the Lord in Matthew 5:23-24 and Matthew 18:15-17. Too often, personal differences are allowed to seethe until division results. This is sinful! These differences must be resolved!

Our very attitudes and motives must be examined. Too often our attitudes, motives, opinions, and desires are controlled by our own pride. This will lead us to become self-willed, contentious, unsettled, and factious, sometimes to the extent of denying the truth. Truth matters! “and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (II Thessalonians 2:10-12). Just as important as learning truth is the matter of learning all the truth on Bible subjects. David said, “The sum of thy word is truth” (Psalms 119:160). We must have all that God says on any subject to have all the truth. The peace and progress of God’s people, and even our eternal salvation, depends upon our desire and ability to avoid these evil works and seek the truth.

Sometimes one has to stand alone rather than compromise the truth. Remember, the Lord died alone. However, a man will do well to examine himself when he finds that the views he holds are separating him from the community of which he forms a part. He may be right, but it is a grave responsibility to be a cause of division in any church or community.

Let us strive to fill our lives with the “fruit of the Spirit … love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). However, in our attempt to avoid division, let us make sure that our efforts do not involve the toleration of sin and error which put one in a state of enmity before God!