sies," has to do with sects and sectarianism. It means to
THE FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN
Jonathan who was not jealous of David (1 Samuel 20).
6. Outbursts of anger. The Greek word for "wrath" means unrighteous fits of rage, passionate outbursts of anger and hostile feelings. John uses the same root word in the Apocalypse about the righteous wrath of God. Man's wrath can be righteous or unrighteous, but God's wrath is always righteous for He cannot sin. There is a righteous wrath, but it is not a fit of anger. Here anger or wrath is a sin we must cast out of our lives. Someone has well said, "Righteous indignation is usually one part righteous and nine parts indignation."
7. Disputes. This Greek word for "disputes" or "strife" means selfish ambition, self-seeking, and selfishness. This violates both parts of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). First, it is a sin against God when selfish ambition replaces the will of God for our lives. Then it violates the command to love our neighbors, for acts of self-seeking are always committed at someone else's expense.
8. Dissensions. The Greek word means seditions, dissensions, or divisions. Believers are to be of one mind.
"He is the God that maketh men to be of one mind in an house" is the Prayer Book version of Psalm 68:6. Unless principles are at stake or the Word of God is threatened, then discord can become sinful. We are to contend for the faith, but even when doing so we are not to be contentious. Truth often divides, but when truth is not at stake, God's people should be able to live together in love by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
9. Factions. The Greek word for "factions," or "heresies," has to do with sects and sectarianism. It means to choose that which is bad, or to form an opinion contrary to the revelation of God in Scripture. This is the same word found in 2 Peter 2:l (NIV): "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them-bringing swift destruction on themselves."