Apologist Abroad
Darryl's thoughts on the Christian Faith, Facts, and World Events
How to Deal with Divisive People
It seems that every day, we must try our best to overcome divisions in our families, friends, churches, communities, nations, and world. Biblically the source of divisions are our own sins and of course Satan loves to plant the seeds of divisions.
It is very important define what a divisive person is and IS NOT.
Here is my definition of a divisive person: A divisive person intentionally, actively, and repeatedly rubs raw the resentments of people within a community, fans the latent hostilities of many people, searchs out controversy and issues rather than avoiding them, and stirs up dissatisfaction and discontent. Divisive people are defined in the Bible.
So how can can we effectively deal with people who act as divisive people? It is important to remember that divisive people are just ordinary people like you and I who sometimes act in a divisive manner. We too can be divisive people, if we aren’t careful. Even the people who act in a divisive manner can stop at any time through repentance. 1. Do not get angry. Divisive people are like arsonists. Arsonists hate flame-proof materials and wet matches. Divisive people are happiest when people, especially their opponents get angry. Because, when we get angry, we unintentionally spread the seeds of division to others. The world says, “fight fire with fire.” This is a really bad tactic. If an arsonist breaks into your home and sets your curtains on fire, should you defeat him by setting your sofa on fire? No, you would use a fire extinguisher or water to put out the flame before it can spread. Even though the actions of the divisive person are designed to make us feel angry, the Bible says,
We cannot let ourselves be controlled by insults. Just remember that many years ago, people called guys who spent all of their time thinking about computers and software "nerds" and "computer geeks." Now, we call those same guys BILLIONAIRES. Imagine if Bill Gates thought this, "People are calling me a "nerd" so I'm going to stop learning about computers, instead, I'm going to try to be a professional football player, those guys are cool."
11 Comments
Amy
9/29/2018 10:07:32 am
I truely enjoyed your article. I was looking for a better understanding of what a divisive person was. Your words did that and more. Thank you.
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Jesse
6/5/2021 01:41:45 pm
Excellent tips! Thanx
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Sherri
1/13/2019 02:42:08 pm
Thank you this was very instrumental in helping me understand what was written in Titus about divisive people.
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VIRTUELLE
1/5/2020 12:56:33 am
"Here is my definition of a divisive person: A divisive person intentionally, actively, and repeatedly rubs raw the resentments of people within a community, fans the latent hostilities of many people, searchs out controversy and issues rather than avoiding them, and stirs up dissatisfaction and discontent."
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Lindsay
8/19/2020 06:44:25 pm
So did I! It felt like God spoke right into my heart right then and there, just when I needed it. Divisivess in relationships can spread so much self doubt. I thank God that I know who I am in Him.
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Iris
7/17/2021 09:19:38 pm
Thank you. Agreed as well. Our world today screams these verses in the Bible today.
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Roslyn lambourn
2/7/2020 04:12:51 am
This article was an answer to my prayer. I feel equipped for the battle ahead Thankyou so much for this wisdom
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Deborah Aponte
8/23/2020 11:40:06 pm
Thank you I was feeling down
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10/29/2020 02:50:19 am
Praise the Lord!! I want to thank you for this article; it confirms a lot of what and how I have experienced being divisive and also how I went through the process of being delivered from it.... It's so good to "stay on the ALTAR, staying open and poured out before the LORD" because like you stated, if we're not being sober and vigilant like we ought that wicked spirit can creep back in at unawares. LET US ALL STAY OPEN AND POURED OUT BEFORE THE LORD!
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Ricardo Perino
1/9/2021 12:01:23 pm
The word of God is the salve and the solution to the divisive milieu infecting us individually, in the church and in the community. Thank you for your insight and your teaching as you lean on the wisdom of God.
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Michelle
1/30/2021 10:58:55 pm
This was very helpful. I can see how divisiveness can be a tool someone uses to promote themselves, even in the workplace. I had an idea but the info on here just confirmed it. I pray for strength to endure until peaceful pastures come my way. I have faith it won't be much longer before God moves me or that person.
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Darryl RecordA Christian Apologist, Author, Missionary, Husband, and Father. Darryl has an MA in Christian Apologetics from Biola University (CA), an MA in TESOL from Azusa Pacific University (CA), and a BA in Political Science from Truman State University (MO). Archives
December 2021
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