"For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." ( 1 Cor. 11:18,19)
"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Philippians 2:3)
"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:14,15)
"Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." (Philippians 2:2).
Divisions arise in the Body of Christ because of the many different opinions that we have. Those that bring divisions in the Church are to be marked. It is interesting to note that one of the definitions of heresies is "dissentions arising from diversity of opinions and aims". Our opinions don't amount to a hill of beans unless they are in line with the Word of God. We can also be on the right side in a discussion but have the wrong spirit. The Word of God is not to be used as a sword to wound our brother with and to attempt to justify our own position. The only way that we will ever be likeminded is if we seek the mind of Christ and the unity of the Spirit.
In His Love,
Mike