Loading... Acts 15:39 - THE CONTENTION WAS SO SHARP BETWEEN THEM
Sunday, November 1st, 2009Acts 15:39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other:
Paul and Barnabas were on their second missionary journey. They were appointed to go on this journey after a great debate occurred in Jerusalem over whether the Gentiles needed to be circumcised in order to be saved. There was a great debate but God moved and in one accord, the believers in Jerusalem determined that circumcision was not necessary. As a result of this decision, it was decided to send Paul and Barnabas out together to spread the news to the Gentiles.
Paul and Barnabas ended up getting in a fight because Barnabas wanted to take John along with them and Paul did not want to take John. These two men fought so long about this issue that they ended up splitting up and going their own separate ways.
These two mean had just seen all the believers in Jerusalem come together in one accord and agree that the Gentiles did not have to be circumcised. However, while all the Jews could reach one accord, Paul and Barnabas, two men chosen by God to work together could not reach an agreement over whether John should travel with them.
The problem that we see here is that two men who were supposed to work together were failing to seek God and allow God to show them whether John was to travel with them. So many times these men had fasted and prayed and saw God direct their paths. These men now had a problem but rather than try to come to an agreement by the power of God, they allowed Satan to drive a wedge between then and divide the team that God had joined together.
While Paul and Barnabas were not married, there are many important lessons that can come from this passage for married couples. It was God who called Paul and Barnabas to be separated unto Him to do the work that HE had called. If you are married, God has a purpose for you and your spouse to work together for the furtherance of HIS kingdom. Satan desires to bring tension in to your relationship with your spouse so as to diminish your ability to serve God.
Just as Satan used John to drive a wedge between Paul and Barnabas, so likewise Satan is going to find something to try to drive a wedge between you and your spouse. You must be diligent to ensure that you do not subcome to the temptation to start fighting with the one whom you are to be in one accord with.
If you and your spouse are in disagreement over something, rather than fight and enable Satan to win the victory, you and your spouse need to agree to get alone and seek HIM so that the two of you can be in one accord again. You must be patient and not make a decision at a time when you are at odds with your spouse. If you and your spouse are in disagreement, it means that one or both of you are not properly hearing the voice of God and it is more important that you seek God and get in agreement once again before you run off and do those things that you believe God is telling you to do.
Seek God with your spouse and you will find that together, your relationship with God will grow. When you are in a disagreement, rather than use this as a time to fight, use this as a reminder that you and your spouse need to fall on your needs and seek HIM because one or both of you are not in one accord with the perfect will of God.