“Those Who Cause Divisions”

By David Dombrowski

Scripture tells us to beware of those who cause divisions. But what exactly does this mean? And how is this admonition often misunderstood and even used out of context? The truth is that there indeed are a lot of divisions happening within the church, but oftentimes, those who are trying to “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3) are the ones being pointed at as causing division and breaking unity within the church.

Many times, the “beware” admonition is given by Christian pastors and teachers to silence or ignore those who have any criticisms or even just questions of what is happening in the church at large. Many pastors today say, “There is no need for so-called discernment ministries or church discernment watchdogs because that is the job of pastors and teachers.” Anything outside of that, they say, is causing division. The idea is that local church leadership is doing such a good job that they do not need any outside interference. But, where in Scripture do we find this concept?

Jesus Himself was (and is) a proponent of unity within the church. He prayed to the Father, “That they all may be one” (John 17:21). Yet, at another time, Jesus said, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division” (Luke 12:51). Is Jesus contradicting Himself?

When I was a new believer and beginning to study the Bible, I made one determination that I have never regretted, and that was to take the Bible as God’s inerrant Word. When I saw what appeared to be contradictions, I concluded that I was lacking in information that would give me a fuller and truer understanding. So, I would pray for more understanding and wait on God to provide it as Scripture instructs in James 1:5:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Since those early years, God has been true to His Word and has given me understanding in many different areas; but I realize, too, that as Paul said, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12), we will never understand a lot of things fully in this life. However, with the rudimentary and essential things—like the Gospel itself—God makes these things plain enough for fools to understand—that is, if we are willing to listen. And the worst ear-stopper I can think of is pride—because pride immunizes one from the truth.

Now, returning to what Jesus said above about unity and division, let me just say that this is a prime example of putting a puzzle together without having all the pieces; it is the missing pieces that allow the puzzle to come together. And that is where we take an isolated verse and compare it with its immediate context and then compare it with the context of all Scripture. (Already, we know we have a problem in that two verses from two places appear to contradict each other thereby beckoning us to search further.)

In chapter 17 of John where Jesus prays for the unity of the church in verse 21, notice that a preceding verse, v. 17, says, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Truth is an essential ingredient to unity; in other words, where there is no truth, there cannot be unity. Have you ever tried to be in unity with someone who does not trust you, while you in turn know that person is lying to you? At best, you can attempt to be peaceable with that person, but there is no true unity or love. Usually, the stress of that kind of relationship is what drives people apart, and hence, in a church setting, we have church splits.

In chapter 12 of Luke, we have the case of where Jesus says He came not to bring peace but rather division (v. 51). Much of the first three-quarters of the chapter is a favorite to many in that it gives multiple illustrations on how to conduct our lives as Christians by putting God first as summarized in Jesus’ statement, “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you” (v. 31). Thus, we can see that first and foremost is our devotion (seeking) to God. What follows is Jesus’ statement about division, but in this case, it is not about division in the church but in families – strife between family members (including in-laws). Here again, we see that truth takes precedence over unity, but it is the rebellious or unbelieving family members causing the division. You see, Jesus already knew that devotion to Him would divide families subject to the wrath of unbelieving or rebellious family members often motivated by envy and jealousy.

Oddly, what immediately follows is Jesus’ discourse on how to tell the weather, which I believe to be a very powerful indictment against our very present generation. Let me explain: In verse 56, Jesus says, “Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it that ye do not discern this time?” “This time” is now, even as it was ready to happen then. Remember that in Jesus’ discourse where he describes the happenings of the end times (found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21), He speaks of family strife, divisions, and betrayal, which are already happening in our day. You might ask, there have always been tensions within family circles, so what’s so special with what Jesus is talking about? Well, it’s because it will be happening on a pandemic scale, and people won’t be discerning that it is even happening. As tensions within the world will increase, tensions within family frameworks will increase as well, and the faith of Christians will be tested.

The fact is that Jesus unites when the truth is upheld because Jesus is Himself, the Truth. But truth has the power to unite or divide depending on the situation. When Paul speaks of the armor of God, he begins with, “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth” (Ephesians 6:14; emphasis added), and later he closes his description of God’s armor with, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v. 17). The author of Hebrews (presumably Paul) says, “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

What we have, then, is both Jesus and Paul slashing away at all falsehood and hypocrisy using the sword of the Word of God to bring forth truth. Notice that the word “discerner” is used in Hebrews 4, which is the “no” word in today’s Christian vernacular. Also, notice the expression “take the helmet of salvation” used in Ephesians 6. What is that? It can be nothing less than the Gospel itself (i.e., Jesus’ penal substitutionary atonement on the Cross validated to all who believe on Christ and His finished work that paid for our sins).

Let’s return now to my introductory comment stating that many Christian pastors often like to warn their congregations to “beware of those who cause divisions.” Since they are quoting Scripture, we should look at it within the context of where it appears:

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:17-18; emphasis added)

With this before us, it becomes very apparent whom Paul is talking about. It is clear that he views those who teach false doctrine as those who are divisive, causing divisions and confusion in the local churches and the Christian church as a whole. We have heard so many stories from our readers who have gone respectfully and unconfrontationally beseeching their local elders or pastors on a doctrinal point only to receive an angry or negative response or to be told they lack the maturity and spiritual insight to offer any criticisms. And in many situations, the concerned congregant is told that he or she is causing division and breaking unity by questioning or challenging. Even to question a pastor on any point may be treated as blasphemous in some circles. So, realistically, who is it that is causing division in the church? It’s true that there are evil men and seducers who creep into churches and worm their way through the congregation leaving a residue of confusion, suspicion, and strife in their wake (see 2 Timothy 3:13). But that is not what Paul is referring to here in this passage from Romans. The immediate context found in verse 18 tells us this man is making a profit apparently speaking from a public platform embellished with “good words” and “fair speeches.” In other words, Paul is referring here to pastors and teachers espousing false doctrine; and this is what is really causing division.

Today, we are witnessing unprecedented apostasy in the church around the world, but I never imagined it would go so far as a departure from the very fundamentals of the faith – more specifically people removing the helmet of salvation (i.e., the Gospel) and tossing it aside.

Let us remind ourselves of an encounter Jesus had with Thomas:

I [will] go and prepare a place for you . . . And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:3-6)

In this scenario, it was not just Thomas but the other disciples as well who were confused. They did not know that Jesus was on the brink of going to the Cross.

And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. (John 14:29-31)

They did not understand why Jesus needed to correct Thomas, who was seeking the way to go, by telling him that He is “the way.” But when they realized later that Jesus had died for the sins of the whole world, it all made sense, and they believed on His name and told others to do likewise.

David Dombrowski is the co-founder and chief editor of Lighthouse Trails Publishing. For twenty-four years, he has authored, co-authored, and edited hundreds of articles, reviews, and reports, and written numerous booklets and one book for the ministry.

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