Sedition does occur in the ‘body of Christ’ and it is not good. Church unity would be wonderful if it were always present. But the reality is that we are not always united. Please invest 14 minutes to explore this problem further.

Sedition: Unity Is Wonderful, But Conflict Is Not Good!

STM Bible Lesson: Sedition is when the church is divided

Lesson focus: Galatians 5:19-21. Bible lesson background Galatians 5:16-26: In Galatia, there were two kinds of Christians: those who followed the letter of the law and those who accepted the freedoms of grace. In this lesson, we learn about sedition in the church based on this clash.

Galatians 5:19-21 [read Galatians 5:16-26 (19-21)]

Now the works of the flesh (sinful human nature) are apparent. They are: fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, wrath, contentions, divisions, sects, 21 envies, drunkenness, revelries, and things like these. I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that those who practice such things would not inherit the kingdom of God. (NSB)

KJV: 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.

Welcome

I am so glad you decided to join us as we focus on the sin of sedition in the church, also known as division and dissension, in the church, not the world. Yes, some of the children of God cause and/or contribute to dissension, division, and sedition in the body of Christ.

Galatians 5:15 [read Galatians 5:7-15 (15)]

If you go on hurting each other and tearing each other apart, be careful! You will completely destroy each other. (ICB)

KJV: But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

The letter to the church at Galatia addressed this issue, which led to its mention as a “work of the flesh.” They are warned in Galatians 5:15 ‘But if you [unlovingly] bite and eat one another [i.e., figuratively], be careful that you do not totally consume one another.’

Other King James versions usage: AKJV, KJC, and UKJV continued with ‘seditions’. RKJNT and NKJV replace seditions with ‘dissensions‘. The MKJV and KJ2K use ‘divisions‘. MSTC version used ‘sedition‘.

Stay away from dividers; conflict is not good

Romans 16:17-18 [read Romans 16:17-20 (17-18)]

Brothers and sisters, I urge you to watch out for those people who create divisions and who make others fall away from the Christian faith by teaching doctrine that is not the same as you have learned. Stay away from them. 18 People like these are not serving Christ our Lord. They are serving their own desires. By their smooth talk and flattering words they deceive unsuspecting people. (GW)

KJV: 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.

Examples of dissension, division, and sedition in the church

Iconium is a city in Galatia, and Lystra is a small town in south Galatia. Corinth is a city in Greece. Paul ministered in all three.

Iconium

Acts 14:2 and 4 [read Acts 14:1-7 (2 and 4)]

2 But the Jews who would not believe stirred up the Gentiles and turned them against the believers. 4 The people of the city were divided: some were for the Jews, others for the apostles. (GNT)

KJV: 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

Lystra

An excerpt from The Bible Exposition Commentary: ‘The crowd quieted down, but when some troublemaking Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, the crowd followed their lead and stoned Paul. One minute, Paul was a god to be worshiped, the next minute, he was a criminal to be slain! Emerson called a mob “a society of bodies voluntarily bereaving themselves of reason.” Often this is true.’ [Read Acts 14:8-20 (key verse: 19)]

Acts 14:19 [read Acts 14:8-20 (19)]

But then some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul, and dragged him outside the town, thinking he was dead. (FBV)

KJV: And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

Corinth

Paul expressed his deep concern for the Corinthians. He mentions eight factors that cause division in the church (body of Christ) in his “Letters That Teach How To Be Right With God.”

2 Corinthians 12:20 [read 2 Corinthians 12:14-21 (20)]

For I fear lest perhaps, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found by you such as you would not. Lest perhaps contentions, envyings, animosities, dissensions, detractions, whisperings, swellings, seditions, be among you. (Vulgate)

KJV: For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

Not spiritual behavior

1 Corinthians 3:3-4 [read 1 Corinthians 3:1-17 (3-4)]

Because you are not yet spiritual. You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual and that you are acting like the people of this world. 4 Some of you say that you follow me, and others claim to follow Apollos. Isn’t that how ordinary people behave? (CEV)

KJV: For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

Please read 1 Corinthians 3: and let me know what God shows you.

Definitions

Sedition

deliberate provoking or stirring up of discontent (unhappiness), a resistance, revolt, or rebellion against authority. Implies conduct leading to or inciting commotion (confusion) or resistance to authority, but without overt (open to view) acts of violence or betrayal; a serious breach of allegiance. Used generally in the sense of rebellion, discord, or insurrection (an act or instance of open rebellion against authority).

Dissension

Disagreement in opinion, usually of a violent character, producing warm debates or angry words; contention in words; partisan and contentious divisions; breach of friendship and union; strife; discord; quarrel.

Division

Disunion; differing opinion or feeling; discord; variance; alienation. Example: There was a division among the people. John 7:43.

Synonyms

Contention

Strife in words; controversy; altercation quarrel; dispute; as a bone of contention. Ordinarily, however, these words denote a struggle arising from bad passions. In that case, strife usually springs from a quarrelsome temper and contention from a selfish spirit that seeks its aggrandizement or is fearful lest others should obtain it too. Strife has more reference to the manner than to the object of a struggle, while contention takes more account of the end to be gained.

Strife

Exertion or contention for superiority; contest of emulation, either by intellectual or physical efforts.

Unity not division or conflict

Philippians 2:3-4 [read Philippians 2:1-4 (3-4)]

When you do things, do not let selfishness [rivalry; selfish ambition] or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor [regard; value] to others than to yourselves. 4 Do not be interested only in your own life [look out for your own interests], but be interested in the lives of others [look out for others’ interests]. (EXB)

KJV: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Sedition in the church

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the body of Christ could drop sedition, division, and dissension to be of one mind and have a common or united purpose? In the 1950’s and 60’s, the following were
some of the issues that caused division or sedition in the church:

• Women wearing pants, open-toed shoes, too much jewelry, or make-up.
• Men having beards, long hair (braids, processed, or natural), or wearing tight clothes.
• People going to the movies, night clubs, or the race track.
• Same-sex relationships.
• Drinking alcoholic beverages, smoking tobacco, or using street drugs.
• Playing cards or games with dice.
• Owning and watching television.

2 Timothy 2:22-23 [read 2 Timothy 2:22-26 (22-23)]

Run away from adolescent cravings. Instead, pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace together with those who confess the Lord with a clean heart. 23 Avoid foolish and thoughtless discussions since you know that they produce conflicts. (CEB)

KJV: Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

21st century dividers

Pressure from changing societal norms has impacted the body of Christ. As society bends to accept trends, so do the people of God. It seems that worldliness is overtaking godliness. Even church leaders are becoming more worldly!

• Denominations: worshipers are labeled based on common beliefs that are unlike those of other groups. Example: one group believes in the trinity vs. oneness.
• Views on same-sex marriage and relationships.
• The assembly we attend or the mega-pastor we follow.

The Word of God says:

Titus 2:11-12 [read Titus 2:11-15 (11-12)]

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. 12 It trains [teaches] us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, (NET)

KJV: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Bible Exposition Commentary: The same grace that redeems us also reforms our lives and makes us godly. “Teaching” has the idea of “disciplining.” We are disciplined by God’s grace, trained to be the kind of people that glorify Him.

Is God pleased with division?

Jesus warned^[1], ‘any kingdom (country) divided against itself will be destroyed; and every city or house (household; family) divided against itself will not stand (survive; continue safe and sound).’ Are we a family? Of course, we are, and we must learn to stand firm in the truth and stay away from things and people who cause division.

Romans 15:5-6 [read Romans 15:6 (5-6)]

‘Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice.’ (HCSB)

KJV: Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It would be wonderful if the body of Christ could drop sedition, division, and dissension. As well as being free of conflict. It should be of one mind, in other words, have a common or united purpose, and stand firm in the truth. Please, do not allow the sin of sedition to be part of your life. Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible lesson. I urge you to make full use of it. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺

Related studies, lessons, and snacks for further spiritual growth:

Our Conflict Lies Within, To Do Right Or Wrong – an estimated 8-minute read.

Respect God; It is Absolutely Good Advice For Life – an estimated 13-minute read.

You Are Forgiven, Wonderful, Go And Sin No More – an estimated 9-minute read.

If You Have Faith You’ll See Wonderful Things Happen – an estimated 13-minute read.

Wake Up Church Let The Spirit Renew Your Mind – an estimated 7-minute read.