Thursday, February 12, 2026
Division by Bill Elliff
THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL DIVISION
Some people naively believe that everyone should be united, that we should all just "get along" regardless of the issues involved. But they fail to understand the nature of spiritual disunity.
IN THE BEGINNING
… of the church, right after Christ had ascended and the fledgling church had begun, we see this division in Acts 14.
1 In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.
2 But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren.
3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.
4 But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.
Paul and Barnabas went to the religious establishment (the synagogue) to preach the gospel. Some believed in Christ, but others did not. The control and comfort that the unbelieving were experiencing was naturally upended by these gospel preachers and those who turned to Christ, and so the natural response of the unbelieving was to try to silence and destroy them, just as the Pharisees had done with Jesus.
They "stirred up the minds" of the people and "embittered them" (one translation says "poisoned them") against the missionaries. Ultimately, they continued to persecute the messengers until they ran them out of the city. Later in the same chapter, you will read that they followed them to another town and gossiped and slandered so effectively that it led to Paul being stoned by the locals and left for dead.
WHAT IS THE LESSON?
When you see a small group of people—even in a church—stirring up the minds of people against humble, godly pastors or spiritual leaders, beware. Evaluate carefully, for they may be "so-called" believers, but merely unbelieving people who love their control and comfort. Jesus warned that there would be "tares" sown among the true wheat.
Religious unbelievers don't like to be challenged and will resort to almost any means to silence those who threaten their way of life. I've been on the blunt end of this in my past. I've received death threats. My wife once received a letter from a deacon's wife, telling her that she was praying that our children would die. Such behavior does not come from a genuine follower of Christ who is just "concerned about their church."
Sometimes good leaders must lead in such a way that it challenges and upsets the sleepy repose of a church, but such a challenge is necessary to bring the church to life again. Churches can be under the grip of the Enemy and those who challenge this control will arouse his ire and devices. Those who love Christ will rejoice that someone is finally leading biblically. Others will not, and division ensues.
SO WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
Be wise. Be prayerful. "As far as it lies within you be at peace with all men," as Paul says (Romans 12:18). Give your forgiveness current. Don't be arrogant as a leader assuming you're always right. You might be making some rookie mistakes. But also, don't be naïve about the Enemy's tactics.
Don't avoid all conflict when confrontation is necessary. Let your pipeline be to heaven in unceasing prayer. Listen to your Great Pastor and follow His lead, regardless of the outcome.
If you are doing what God desires, continue to follow the courageous disciples' example, like millions of believers have done through the ages.
Therefore, they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord," (Acts 14:3)
Continue to lead for the sake of all those who are willing to hear and believe God's Word and follow Him. It is a noble thing to help redeem a church for the glory of God. You might get stoned in the process, but you will hear a "well done" from on High, and those who love Christ will follow with grateful hearts.
Some people naively believe that everyone should be united, that we should all just "get along" regardless of the issues involved. But they fail to understand the nature of spiritual disunity.
IN THE BEGINNING
… of the church, right after Christ had ascended and the fledgling church had begun, we see this division in Acts 14.
1 In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.
2 But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren.
3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.
4 But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.
Paul and Barnabas went to the religious establishment (the synagogue) to preach the gospel. Some believed in Christ, but others did not. The control and comfort that the unbelieving were experiencing was naturally upended by these gospel preachers and those who turned to Christ, and so the natural response of the unbelieving was to try to silence and destroy them, just as the Pharisees had done with Jesus.
They "stirred up the minds" of the people and "embittered them" (one translation says "poisoned them") against the missionaries. Ultimately, they continued to persecute the messengers until they ran them out of the city. Later in the same chapter, you will read that they followed them to another town and gossiped and slandered so effectively that it led to Paul being stoned by the locals and left for dead.
WHAT IS THE LESSON?
When you see a small group of people—even in a church—stirring up the minds of people against humble, godly pastors or spiritual leaders, beware. Evaluate carefully, for they may be "so-called" believers, but merely unbelieving people who love their control and comfort. Jesus warned that there would be "tares" sown among the true wheat.
Religious unbelievers don't like to be challenged and will resort to almost any means to silence those who threaten their way of life. I've been on the blunt end of this in my past. I've received death threats. My wife once received a letter from a deacon's wife, telling her that she was praying that our children would die. Such behavior does not come from a genuine follower of Christ who is just "concerned about their church."
Sometimes good leaders must lead in such a way that it challenges and upsets the sleepy repose of a church, but such a challenge is necessary to bring the church to life again. Churches can be under the grip of the Enemy and those who challenge this control will arouse his ire and devices. Those who love Christ will rejoice that someone is finally leading biblically. Others will not, and division ensues.
SO WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
Be wise. Be prayerful. "As far as it lies within you be at peace with all men," as Paul says (Romans 12:18). Give your forgiveness current. Don't be arrogant as a leader assuming you're always right. You might be making some rookie mistakes. But also, don't be naïve about the Enemy's tactics.
Don't avoid all conflict when confrontation is necessary. Let your pipeline be to heaven in unceasing prayer. Listen to your Great Pastor and follow His lead, regardless of the outcome.
If you are doing what God desires, continue to follow the courageous disciples' example, like millions of believers have done through the ages.
Therefore, they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord," (Acts 14:3)
Continue to lead for the sake of all those who are willing to hear and believe God's Word and follow Him. It is a noble thing to help redeem a church for the glory of God. You might get stoned in the process, but you will hear a "well done" from on High, and those who love Christ will follow with grateful hearts.
# posted by Groseys messages @ 11:18 AM 
