Church fights

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TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 15:36-16:15

TO CHEW ON: “Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. Acts 15:39.

I’ll never forget some of the first church member-only meetings I attended after  joining when I was about 14. At these meetings sensitive issues were brought into the open and discussed pro and con – sometimes with a lot of heat. Seeing adults who I respected speaking passionately for one solution, while others I also respected were just as passionate for another solution shook me up and gave my youthful idealism a dose of this-is-the-way-it-really-is in the church.

It’s interesting to see that the early church had disagreements too. The first part of Acts 15 talks how they dealt with the contentious problem of circumcision. The discussion was whether or not to demand that Gentile believers submit themselves to this rite. The letter recorded in verses 23-29 lays out the compromise decision the leadership came to about this.

In the latter part of the chapter we have a personnel problem. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on the next missionary trip. Paul didn’t because they took him on an earlier trip and he deserted them partway through. Their disagreement “became so sharp that they parted from one another.”

If you are part of a local church you are probably no stranger to these kinds of problems. The church is made up of individuals. Many of us have strong opinions. The sad thing is that such intra-church conflict often has permanent negative effects. The aftermath of disagreements can be bitterness, unforgiveness, church splits, a party spirit, negativity toward the church as a whole, and on and on.

We can learn some positive things about how to deal with church problems from Acts 15.

1. Discussion is good (Acts 15:6,7). People feel better when their concerns have been heard. 

2. A decision is necessary. Leadership is important to reach this point. In the circumcision dispute Peter talked about his experience. The leaders who had gathered to discuss this listened. James helped to spell out a compromise (Acts 15:7-12). If some were unhappy with the final outcome, they didn’t make a big deal about it and the church remained united.

3. Publicize and explain the new policy to everyone concerned. In Acts 15:22-29 the disciples crafted a letter and sent it via “chosen men” to the affected congregations.

4. Part ways if you must, but do it amicably. In Paul and Barnabas’s disagreement, two mission teams were sent out as a result of their split (Acts 15:39-41).  Like a cell divides to help growth, their painful separation served, in the end, to help spread the gospel even more. Thankfully there was no permanent damage. Later John Mark became a faithful co-worker with Paul - 2 Timothy 4:11

Are you scarred from church fights? What are your thoughts?

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to love the church and be a part of finding solutions when there are problems. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Our mess-ups and church growth

Mark, Barnabas & Paul - Artist unknown

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Acts 15:36-16:5

TO CHEW ON: "So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily." Acts 16:5

If you've ever been part of a church split, you know how devastating it can be when 'family members' don't get along. In today's reading we see Paul parting ways with Barnabas because Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them on their missionary trip and Paul didn't.

Later, when Paul invited half-Gentile Timothy to join him, he insisted Timothy be circumcised not because he believed Timothy still needed to follow the ceremonial law but because that was the only way the practicing Jews would accept him.

I think we can rightly conclude that New Testament Christians grappled with some of the same things we do. Paul and Barnabas parted ways over a difference of opinion. Paul was concerned about what others would think.

Still the church grew. Doesn't the verse: "So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily" fill you with hope for our churches too? God can use even the seemingly negative things for His purposes. A split of teams meant that there were now two missionary teams. Paul's care to not give offense meant that a whole group of conscience-ruled Jews wouldn't stumble because of Timothy's presence.

The church continues to grow despite all of our differences. Of course we shouldn't take our mess-ups lightly. But it is wonderful to know that they do not befuddle God or stymie His plan.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for growing the church despite our mess-ups. Amen.

MORE: Leaders on the pedestal
It's easy to put our leaders on a pedestal as people who don't experience the same temptations we do. I recently heard this talk by popular writer and speaker Francis Chan, where he exposes his struggles after the success of his book Crazy Love.

Francis Chan "The Pressures of Ministry and the Promise of Making Disciplemakers"

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The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. - Used with permission.

Are you attacking your own marriage?

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Matthew 19:1-15


TO CHEW ON: "So then they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." Matthew 19:6

A few weeks ago I watched a documentary about the life of Canadian singer Shania Twain. In it she told the heartbreaking story of the breakup of her marriage. She felt doubly betrayed when the "other woman' turned out to be her best friend and confidante.

However, the sanctity and unity of the marriage relationship can have another enemy that's even closer. We ourselves, one of the partners, can be culprits in separating "what God has joined together." A sidebar article in my Bible explains how"

"Every marriage involves two imperfect people. It not only is personally challenging to work out our difficulties within marriage, but it is a spiritual contest since the Adversary is always seeking points of vulnerability to work his destruction in our lives (1 Peter 5:8). Our temptation to self-interest and self-defense in our marriage relationship is a prime target. The Enemy (our accuser) will point out and exaggerate our spouse's shortcomings and will foster anger and unforgiveness growing in our hearts towards one another.


Jesus warned that disintegration attacks the marriage where hardness of heart is allowed to grow (Mark 19:4-5; Proverbs 28:14). Let us be warned against giving this place toward our spouse, seeing how Scripture links hardness of heart to unbelief (Mark 16:14), lack of understanding (Mark 5:32), pride (Daniel 5:20), and stubbornness (2 Chronicles 36:13)" - Rebecca Bauer, "Husbands and Wives Need to Keep Their Hearts Soft Toward One Another," New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 1325.

Have you experienced the temptation to be hard-hearted toward your spouse? I have. Let's be alert to the devil's schemes in this area so we can guard our hearts against being caught up in such self-inflicted attacks on this most sacred of relationships.

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to be alert and on guard against the devil's schemes that would draw me in to attack my own marriage. Amen.


MORE: Mental Critics

As with most attitudes and actions, hard-heartedness toward one's spouse begins in the mind. Joyce Meyer in her book Battlefield of the Mind (Chapter: "A Judgmental, Critical, Suspicious Mind") refers to Matthew 7:6:

"Do not give that which is holy (the sacred thing) to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you in pieces."

She makes this observation:

"I believe this Scripture is referring to our God-given ability to love each other.


If you and I have an ability and a command from God to love others but instead of doing that we judge and criticize them, we have taken the holy thing (love) and cast it before dogs and hogs (demon spirits). We have opened a door for them to trample on holy things and turn and tear us to pieces" - Battlefield of the Mind, p. 130.