Division in the church
Divisions in the church have been a strategy that Satan has used throughout the years to limit and even stop the progress of the gospel and the growth of the church. Because of the concept of spirituality and its world, many fail to attribute the enemy’s weapons to its struggles. The Bible teaches us that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (2Co10:4), and therefore we cannot see them. Though we see the physical aspect of the weapons; the humans, we cannot see the spirit behind them. The scriptures teach us to discern the spirits (1Jh4:1). Whether it is division, strife, slandering, backstabbing, contention, or gossiping all work for a purpose and that is to manifest approval. First of all the enemy uses it to; as mentioned above, hinder the church, but also to mold the believer (Ro8:28).
1 Corinthians 11:18-19
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.
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
The church at Corinth was one of the most who gave problems to the Apostle Paul. They were a divide church. There were believers there who were trying to portray that they were in good standings with God, and so were willing to do whatever they could to convince their pastor of their state of approval. But those actions of superiority created a division among the church, making manifest who really were the approved. Now in order to be approved, Paul had a rule given by God (2C10:15) and that is of maintaining a humble attitude among other things. He had a measuring line for boasting that he did not cross. Comparing himself with other’s with regards to the preaching of the gospel was not an option he dared to cross. That is one of the measures for being an approved of God, having a humble attitude. Another measure to being approved by God is how we handle his word (2Tim2:15). Faith is another character trait in the line of measure for being one of the approved, as the scriptures say that Abraham believed and it was counted for his approval (Ro4:3). Lastly, we become approved by God when we shy away from the works of darkness and seek to prove what is acceptable to the Lord (Ep5:10-11).
2 Corinthians 10:4
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
2 Corinthians 10:15
15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Romans 4:3
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Ephesians 5:10-11
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.