The Symptoms of Division

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Song: “Blest Be The Tie”

Paul enumerates in irrefutable terms the spiritual condition that prompts divisions.

Immaturity. Divisions are an indication of spiritual dwarfism. “I could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but… as to babes… .” It leads to spiritual malnutrition: “I gave you milk… not solid food.”

Carnality. “Are you not walking like mere men?” Divisions are political, vestiges of the old man of sin, not the new man in Christ.

Disloyalty. Factions indicate that allegiances with men are held dearer than allegiances toward God. “What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants… .” Servants are exalted to undue rank and the Master is disgraced when men are divisive.

Ingratitude. When men strive and jockey for position, God is robbed of the glory due Him alone. “Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes growth.”

Irreverence. “God’s fellow workers” are discouraged. “God’s field” is rendered unfruitful. “God’s building” is laid waste. Men embroiled in division are not so thoughtful of the harm they do to the Lord’s work, of how they cheapen His cause.

There is no good thing that comes from strife and divisions. They are bad to begin with and degenerate into worse ungodliness. Watch out for pride and the attitudes that lead to such conduct.

Jason Moore