“Dissension” = to think differently; to be given to taking an opposing position.
Dissension amounts to the opposite of unity and accord. Rather than seek peace and ensue it, dissension looks for reasons to disagree, to raise objections, or vent unreconciled feelings. Avoiding reason and understanding, dissension will raise doubt and create confusion. Rather than promote the common cause, dissension will be the fly in the ointment. By passing the positive, dissension will accentuate the negative. Failing to strive for the objectives, dissension will divert attention unto that which is contentious.
In Joshua 7, Achan was a dissenter, not requiring of himself to uphold God’s will, but rather choosing to do his own thing instead, even though it disagreed with God’s Word. He did so, not because he found fault with God’s way, but rather he desired his way instead. This brought defeat, death, and disappointment to the congregation at Ai, as well as resulting in the destruction of Achan and his family.
In Numbers 16, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were dissenters, who cared not about allowing feelings to arise within them to the extent of leading a major rebellion against God’s leader, Moses. They not only ruined 250 princes of the congregation, but they also hardened the hearts of their own families, to their destruction.
In 3 John, Diotrephes was a dissenter in his church, to the extent that he sought the preeminence above all others. He set himself up as unapproachable. All had to yield to him, had to let him have the last say, or he would work to get them out of the church. This put him on a collision course with the Holy Spirit.
We must avoid raising dissension in thought, feeling, word, or deed. A little leaven works to leaven the whole lump. Rather, we must be given to those things that inspire peace and understanding. All dissension must be repented of in order that: “…ye all speak the same thing, and there be no divisions among you.”
SHARING
