DIVISIVE PEOPLE

DIVISIVE PEOPLE

Titus 3:10-11  If anyone is causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning.  After that, have nothing more to do with that person.  For people like that have turned away from the truth.  They are sinning, and they condemn themselves.  NLT

        They are everywhere.  There are people who seem to have a natural talent for causing divisions in the Church.  Some are blatant troublemakers and others are subtle.  Paul tells Titus to not waste time on that kind of a person.  There should be unity and peace in the church, not divisiveness.  He was to give the troublemaker a warning, two at the most, and then he was to have nothing to do with the person.

       It’s not an easy thing to do and it’s a very unpopular stand to take.  We do not want to alienate anyone.  We don’t want to get the reputation of being “holier than thou art.”    Rarely do we have the boldness to suggest to someone that they need to leave.

       Divisive people have wandered away from the truth.  Whether it is an obvious departure from the truth or the spirit of the truth doesn’t matter.  As God’s children, we are to strive to live at peace with one another to the best of our ability.  In order to do that, we need a lot of grace, patience, and understanding.  But, when there can be no peace, for the sake of peace, there must be a parting of ways.

       Stirring up trouble in the church is sin and the person who does it stands self-condemned.  A lot of trouble can be averted by simply holding those who cause division in the church accountable for their actions. 

       If you tend to be divisive, let this be a warning to you, stop it now!  Take it to the Lord and ask Him to forgive you and help you to stop.  Ask Him to give you a heart of love and a desire to be a peacemaker.