Titus 3:10

Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them ~ Titus 3:10

In today’s world, we would call this divisive person a heretic, or one whom has created a division as a result of self-will, doing the teaching they chose, independent of the teaching of the church. Paul says that we should avoid these people, for reasons that there would be no end of the quarreling and disputing which would take place between the parties. As he says, this continual battling is the cunning of Satan, who finds power is the division of God’s people. Now, we must be very careful here not to call every dissenter a heretic. There are times when the correction of God is given to us through others, and we must know whether the “will” in the wrong place is theirs, or ours. Paul is talking specifically about those who would hold, cherish, defend an erroneous or perverse doctrine. Differences do arise in God’s people, but when handled with two parties who are seeking God’s will and His people’s best, the results bring growth and glory to God. In Philippians 3:16, Paul commands God’s people to not allow their harmony to become broken, and to wait for the revelation of God. But, if there is someone who is so obstinate and selfish, and this grows within them, and they divide the people of God into separate sects, then boldly resist them. Unity in the church is dear to God, as it should be to His people.

Devotion by Pastor Julia