“Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother-in-law.”
Luke 12
This has always been very difficult scripture to read and many would like to say the bible is full of contradictions and this is one of those topics. How can a house, family, or friends be divided if Jesus brings peace? The problem is, we tend to try to be wise in our own eyes.
Many of us that are seeking His face are experiencing division with people in our lives in one way or another - a sense of loneliness that is hard to explain. How do we have peace? How do we keep operating from a place of love like Jesus would?
It will not be an easy life for Christians, but we have peace in Him. The entire bible is full of wisdom on how we handle these situations with loved ones and fulfill the greatest commandment to love God and love others. A life worth living means living a life with meaning, purpose, conviction, faith, and risk.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
This is not a detailed study or teaching. These are some notes I took when looking at the topic.
As I was looking at the scripture I will link below, it became clear:
Jesus makes it clear people will be divided by belief in Him, or not. There will be division, but in Him, you will have peace.
Scripture on Division:
Scripture on Peace:
Scripture on Family Divided
Scripture on Being Alone https://www.openbible.info/topics/being_alone
Bible Hub is a useful tool to read scripture in context, with cross reference, additional study tools, commentaries, and different translations. Test all things and hold fast to what is good. Plug in individual scriptures and begin journeying through God's word.
Do not confuse accountability and consequences to our choices to not follow Him wholeheartedly as a "spiritual attack".
Things tend to get out of hand, to say the least, when we are doing things our way and aren't doing it God's way. Trust me, I know personally.
We will fail at times. We will mess up. That's why we all need Jesus in order to stand before a Holy God. When we make compromises with the world, there will be consequences. God's soul saving Gospel isn't to be watered down.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Disclaimer: I use the label Christian in this post to be interpreted as true followers in Jesus, not just those who label themselves as Christian. We will know them by their fruit.
Links to more edifying content (things I'm still working on and studying myself until the day I die. We'll never be perfect. But we can seek His wisdom and watch His Holy Spirit at work in our lives as He allows us to understand more and the more we submit to Him):
The comment section is open if anyone has anything helpful and edifying to add. Peace, blessings, and much love. May we run this race as if for the prize!