Handling Divisive People

Titus 3:10–11

Paul gives Titus one of the most pastorally realistic pieces of advice in the letter. Some people in a church community will create ongoing division, not because they are confused or struggling, but because they are committed to it. Paul's instruction is firm: warn them once, warn them twice, and then have nothing more to do with them.

This might sound harsh, but it reflects deep pastoral wisdom. Divisive people thrive on continued engagement. Continuing to argue with someone whose goal is to divide doesn't resolve anything. It feeds the division. At some point, the most loving thing for the community is to stop giving the divisiveness a platform.

Paul's description is worth noting: such a person is "warped and sinful; he is self-condemned." The word "warped" carries the idea of something bent out of its proper shape. Division isn't just a personality trait. It's a spiritual distortion. This passage is also a reminder that unity in the church is worth protecting. Churches that allow chronically divisive people to operate unchecked often find that the whole community suffers. Protecting the peace of the church is not a secondary concern. It's part of the work of a healthy community.

Reflection:
Is there a relationship in your life, at church or elsewhere, where you have been engaging with conflict in ways that are feeding it rather than resolving it? What would a wiser approach look like?