When I was a teenager and had not yet turned to Christ, I saw division in the church for the first time. I witnessed a conversation about the liturgy of the service. There were conflicting beliefs about it. What started as a discussion, escalated into a heated argument, and eventually led to a physical altercation between members of the church. Such conflicts are visibly aggressive.
However, in a shame sensitive culture, the most common way most people communicate is through passive-aggressive behaviour. People prefer to hint at their feelings instead of speaking directly. Such conflicts are invisible and subtle. It can make it hard to know when someone is upset or annoyed.
Passive aggressive behaviour can go unnoticed in the church. It can come across as politeness or humility. But instead of openly discussing issues, people can act in subtle ways to express their frustrations. This can create a lot of hidden tension and cause division in the church.
In contrast to aggressive and passive-aggressive conflict, the Bible encourages us to speak truth in love and seek wise counsel to resolve conflicts in the church (Eph. 4:15, Phil. 4:2-3). It is God’s desire that we take responsibility to humbly address divisions in the church (1 Cor. 1:10-12). The gospel enables us to show love, stay united, and make peace with others (Eph. 4:3).
When there are signs of trouble that could cause divisions, God wants us to work to prevent it. How can we be faithful peacemakers in Christ who contribute to more unity and less divisions in the church?
Recognise God’s Feelings About Divisions in the Church
Divisiveness comes in many forms: spreading rumours, sowing discord, creating cliques, and causing rifts. None of these behaviours honours the commandments of Jesus and all of them can harm the body of Christ (1 Cor. 5:11, Heb. 12:15). God wants us to be mindful of people who cause divisions and to distance ourselves from such disruptive influences (Rom. 16:17, 2 Tim. 16-17).
The Lord loves unity so it is natural that he hates division (Ps. 133:1, John 17:20-21, 2 Tim. 4:14-15). Anyone who stirs up conflict in a community is detestable to the Lord (Prov. 6:19-20). That should tell us how harmful and dangerous it is to create divisions in the church.
Examine Your Hearts
Most people tend to excuse themselves and believe they are not contributing to divisions in the church. It is unlikely that anyone deliberately plans to cause division. Often, it is subtly stirred up in thought or the influence of another person. So it is all the more important to examine ourselves in the light of the gospel so we are helping to heal conflict, not worsen it (James 4:1-3).
Firstly, reflect on your interaction with other people. Are you making things better or worse? Have you said or done anything that causes more problems than it solves? Have your words or actions brought people together or moved them further apart?
Secondly, consider why you act the way you do in relationships with people. Knowing why we do what we do is important to avoid causing trouble. What are your deep underlying motives? Are you kind and caring? Do you want everyone to get along? Are you focused on yourself more than others? Does being in control mean more to you than being vulnerable in the community?
Thirdly, how do you deal with differences in the church? How do you feel about people who have different opinions? Do you listen and try to understand their heart? Or do you just dismiss what they say? Divisions in the church will flourish when we refuse to be teachable and have open conversations about our differences in the church.
Here are some more questions to consider in your desire to calm and cure divisions in the church.
- Am I lacking empathy and compassion towards specific people?
- Am I embracing a “us versus them” mentality?
- Is what I am doing seen as gossip or spreading rumours—sometimes labelled “venting?”
- Are any of my actions causing conflict or confusion?
- Am I prioritising personal agendas over the collective well-being of the community?
- Do I resist reconciliation and forgiveness?
- Do I refuse to listen to the perspectives of others?
- Am I neglecting the value of love, kindness, and unity in the gospel?
Make Every Effort to Keep the Unity of the Spirit
The unity of the church is its testimony to the world. Jesus commanded us to love one another so everyone will know we are his disciples (John 13:34-35). Here are some ways we can be faithful to the apostle Paul’s command to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:3).
Pray for Humility
The gospel moves us to prioritise the welfare of others and to approach relationships with a spirit of humility, having the same mindset of Christ (Phil 2:3-4). It calls us to set aside personal ambition and vain conceit. Pray for humility when you are with other people. Listen carefully to understand them and be open to learning from them. Resist the urge to dismiss them, get argumentative, and indulge in a quarrelsome spirit (1 TIm. 6:3-5, 2 Tim. 2:14).
Pray for Reconciliation
The gospel moves us to kindness, compassion, and a readiness to forgive that reflects the posture Jesus took towards us (Eph. 4:32). Make every effort to mend strained relationships, burnt bridges, or broken bonds. Be ready to forgive and be kind as you try to bring everyone together and establish peace in your community.
Pray for a Unifying Heart
God has a unifying heart. He loves peacemaking. The psalmist celebrates how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity (Ps. 133:1). We will only seek to be unifying people when we see how God has united us to himself through the peacemaking work of Christ. Prioritise and pray for God to give you a great desire for unity and self-forgetfulness in your relationships with his people.
Jesus brought us into peace with God at the cost of his life. His sacrificial love alone is the power that can move us to seek peace with each other. As we become peacemakers like him, we contribute to a community where mutual understanding and harmony will flourish. We can offer grace to each other, stay united, and walk in line with the gospel.
