The Bible provides guidance on handling division among people, communities, and nations. It also highlights the importance of unity, reconciliation, and understanding despite differences.
Who is affected by division according to the Bible?
The influence of division as presented in the Bible is universal. It affects individuals, families, communities, and nations. Individuals experience internal conflict due to choices they face, such as choosing between good and evil. Families are affected when harmony breaks down, often due to disagreements or misunderstandings. The Bible speaks of communities and nations experiencing division when there’s a lack of unity and understanding, leading to conflict and wars. It teaches the importance of unity and peace for the healthy functioning and progress of society.
What does the Bible say about handling division?
The Bible recommends a timely, compassionate approach to handling division. It encourages open conversations, forgiveness, patience, and love as crucial elements in resolving conflicts. The hurdle of ego and the need to be right are relegated in favor of restoring and maintaining peace. The Bible emphasizes that division is an opportunity for growth and change when addressed with love and wisdom. Moreover, it recommends treating each individual with dignity and respect, despite their views, since every person is created by God and holds inherent worth.
Where does the strength to overcome division come from, as per the Bible?
As per the Bible, the strength to overcome division stems from faith in God and a commitment to His teachings. It is the love of God that is identified as the most potent force capable of healing divisions. This divine love enables individuals to look past differences, forgive, reconcile, and maintain unity. Furthermore, prayer plays a significant role in seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength to mend ruptures. The Bible thus underscores a spiritual approach to overcoming division.
Why does division occur, according to the Bible?
The Bible elucidates several reasons for division among people, communities, and nations. Individual selfishness, pride, and the desire for power often lead to disunity and discord. The absence of understanding, empathy, and the refusal to forgive are also contributing factors. On a larger scale, division occurs due to differences in concepts, ideologies, or doctrines. This divergence, rather than being respected, yawns into fissions as a result of intolerance and a lack of mutual respect and understanding. The Bible affirms that division, in essence, arises from the human deviation from God’s laws of love and unity.
When should one stand firm despite division, as directed by the Bible?
The Bible calls for steadfastness in faith and principles even in the face of division. It makes a distinguishing point between peace at the cost of compromise on moral and ethical grounds, and peace resulting from love and understanding. Where the division stems from a stand against injustice, inhumanity, falsehood, or sin, believers are urged to stand firm despite opposition. They are reminded that division or opposition isn’t always negative but can be evidence of commitment to truth and justice. In essence, the Bible encourages believers to demonstrate courage and remain aligned with their faith, regardless of surrounding division or conflict.
Below is our full list of bible verses on division (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Division
Romans 16:17-18
“17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.18 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.”
Related Themes: Holiness Narcissism Judging Others Church
1 Corinthians 1:10-13
“10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by 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 perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”
Related Themes: Teamwork Working Together Cliques Community
Titus 3:9-11
“9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”
Related Themes: Arguing Politics Debating Quarreling
Luke 11:17
“17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.”
Jude 1:16-19
“16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.”
Related Themes: Complaining Lust Bragging Hypocrisy
Ephesians 4:3-6
“3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Related Themes: Peace Lust Working Together Bitterness
Mark 3:24-26
“24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.”
Related Themes: Strife
Proverbs 6:16-19
“16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
Related Themes: Gossip Abomination Lying Pride
2 John 1:9-11
“9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
Colossians 3:12-15
“12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
Related Themes: Humility Patience Criticism Kindness Patience
1 Corinthians 3:3
“3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”
Related Themes: Arguing Envy And Jealousy Strife Jealousy
Romans 16:17
“17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
Related Themes: Holiness Narcissism Judging Others Church
1 Corinthians 1:10
“10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by 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 perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
Related Themes: Teamwork Working Together Cliques Community
1 Peter 1:22-25
“22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”
Related Themes: Love Telling The Truth Heart Working Together
1 Corinthians 11:18
“18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.”
Acts 10:34
“34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:”
Related Themes: Strangers Favoritism Equality Discrimination Respect
Matthew 18:15-18
“15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Resolving Conflict Gossip
1 John 2:9
“9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Bullying Hypocrisy
Proverbs 14:12
“12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
Related Themes: Morality Life Morals Technology
John 17:21
“21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
1 Corinthians 12:21-26
“21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”
Related Themes: Technology
Psalm 133:1
“1 A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Related Themes: Working Together Teamwork Family Friendship Community
Acts 5:29
“29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Obedience Morality Pleasing God Politics
1 Corinthians 1:13
“13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”
Related Themes: Baptism
1 Corinthians 14:33
“33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
Related Themes: Confusion Discernment Peace Chaos Bullying
John 8:32
“32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Freedom Truth Honesty Letting Go
Romans 16:17-20
“17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.18 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.19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
Related Themes: Holiness Narcissism Judging Others Church
1 Corinthians 4:6-7
“6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”
Related Themes: Pride Respecting Others
Galatians 5:19-21
“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Bitterness Adultery
Matthew 15:9
“9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
