VARIANCE
Defined
and Described: The Greek words “variance” are
διχάζω,
dichazō and is interpreted to make apart, that is, sunder (Matt
10:36), the other is ἔρις eris a quarrel, wrangling:- contention,
debate, strife (Gal 5:20).
Webster defines “variance” as an
active disagreement, quarrel, dispute, conflict. Tendency to change or to be
changeable (not stable or established). Clarke says, “ variance is contentions,
when the principle of hatred proceeds to open acts, hence contests, altercations,
lawsuits, and disputes in general.
Variance
is a condition which produces a bitter separation or division among people. It
is destructive because it is usually produced by anger, jealousy, and distrust.
When people allow divisions to take control of their relationships there can be
no resolving of issues. While the word variance itself is used only twice in
the Word of God, its characteristics are seen throughout the Bible. A family
will often be at variance one with the other when an individual member of that
family accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. The member of a family
who accepts Christ in all sincerity and begins to walk in the newness of the
Spirit becomes a sore spot for family members. The unsaved family members will
often begin to feel like the Christian thinks he is better than they are
because of his acceptance of Christ and His holiness. Jesus was aware of this
situation so He warned His disciples that salvation would cause variance in a
family:
“For l am
come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her
mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law” (Matt. 10:35).
The
profound change wrought in the heart and life of the born-again believer is not
met by an attitude of peace by those who have refused Christ’s salvation. This
attitude pits the unsaved against the saved in the same family or household, in
addition to society at large. The predominate evil in the devil’s kingdom is to
control man by division (Mark 3:24, Luke 11:17, 18). According to Scripture,
division will cause destruction.
The lack
of Christ in members of a family can also set a family at variance one with
another. When there is a lack of Christian love in a family there is often
contention over material possessions, such as money, land and houses. Material
possessions led to a variance in the relationship between Abraham and Lot’s
households. Each household had acquired such vast herds that they were
intermingling with each other causing confusion over ownership. Abraham, in the
spirit of peacemaking, made a suggestion:
“And there
was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s
cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. And Abram
said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and
between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren”(Gen. 13:7, 8).
Variance
is a result of insecurity. For the professing Christian who manifests this work of the
flesh they are trusting in something other than Jesus Christ to provide their
fullness and security (1 Cor 1:10-31). This could be a preacher, church
organization, status, etc. To the professing
Christian to have variance in your heart is “SINFUL,” and will cost you heaven…they
which do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal 5:21). This sin
of course for those who have never been saved is very natural and comes very
easy. Sin is subtle and appeals to human nature, we must humble ourselves, love
one another as Christ loves us, and repent if we are motivated by the flesh and
be washed in the Blood of Christ. Usually this sin will give way to other forms
of harmful behaviors such as lawsuits, quarrels, and strife where one despises
the other party, while applauding themselves (1 Cor. 6). Beware every man is
right in his own eyes, but God weighs your spirit (Please Read- Prov. 16:2-3, 1
Sam 2:3); GOD is the judge and he will do the weighing (TEKEL) and we do not
want to be found wanting (lacking) when he comes for his people (Dan 5:27, Deut.
25:15, 1 Cor. 11: 31-32).
If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)
May God through Christ bless you!
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