Perhaps one root of dissension among brethren is jealousy. There is at least one prime example of such a jealousy found in the Old Testament scriptures. In Numbers 12, a situation arose that was fueled by the jealousy of Miriam and Aaron toward their own brother Moses. Thinking that Moses was receiving more credit and opportunity than did they, together “they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Hath he not spoken also by us?” (vs. 2). They just could not stand the thought that Moses had become a much more influential and recognized person for his work’s sake than did they. There were two roads they could have taken. One, that was more honorable was that they could have humbled themselves to the point that they did not need nor desire such praise as they were seeking and encourage Moses in his work. Or a second road they could have sought, which would have been less honorable, was to increase their own labor to satisfy their urge for recognition. However, neither of these options were utilized, but they lowered themselves to speak dissension against their brother. That method, though, did not work too well for them because God’s anger was kindled hotly against them and they suffered for their sins. Many Christians still become jealous of one another for essentially the same reasons. However, rather than taking the honorable options, they lower themselves to speak words of dissent against their brethren. It ought not to be.
A second root of dissension among brethren can be attributed to arrogance. Some people have lofted themselves to such a self-exalted position in life, that they simply feel they can treat anybody how they want and they are perfectly justified in such. In fact, just a few chapters later, in Numbers 16, three men of the nation of Israel showed such an arrogance toward Moses and Aaron. However, the prime example of this arrogance is seen in III John, where the apostle wrote,
“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrophes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church” (vs. 9-10).
Diotrophes remains the standard of arrogance, but many brethren are trying to beat him out of the title. Regardless, though, of how much some brethren think about themselves and want others to think about them, the New Testament still says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10). Arrogance, though, does abide; but brethren, it ought not to be.
Then a third root of dissension among brethren is hyper-criticism. Some people simply are not happy unless they have something to complain about and criticize. If everything does not measure up to their standard of if they were not personally consulted regarding something being done then they simply feel it is their job to speak out against it either publicly or even behind people’s backs. God, though, hates the sowing of discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:19) and hyper-criticism sows seeds of discord in abundance. What is interesting about the hyper-critical brethren around us is that they are quick to criticize how something is done, but are usually completely unwilling to do such themselves. To such our response should be as the one who said, “I like the way I am doing it better than the way you are not.” Constructive criticism can be helpful, but hyper-criticism is a wilily work of Satan, and it simply ought not to be.
Christians should have not only a respectful but downright loving relationship with each other. If that is not part of Christ’s prayer in John 17, then surely nothing was. But if ever brethren will live and love as expected by God, we must check our egos at the door and humbly submit to the will of God, once and for all silencing the voices of dissension.