Family divisions can be deeply painful and challenging, often leaving individuals searching for answers and comfort. The Bible offers a wealth of wisdom on this topic, providing guidance and insight through various verses. In this blog post, we will explore 33 Bible verses about division in family, shedding light on how Scripture addresses these issues and offering hope for reconciliation and unity.
Table of Top Verses about Division in Family:
| Verse about Division in Family | Summary |
|---|---|
| Matthew 10:34-36 | Jesus speaks about bringing division, not peace, within families. |
| Luke 12:51-53 | Jesus foretells family conflicts due to His message. |
| Micah 7:6 | Prophecy about familial betrayal and conflicts. |
| Ephesians 6:4 | Guidance on parenting to prevent strife. |
| Colossians 3:21 | Advises fathers to avoid causing bitterness in their children. |
List of 33 Bible Verses about Division in Family:
1. Matthew 10:34-36 – Jesus Foretells Family Division
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’”
2. Luke 12:51-53 – Jesus Predicts Division
“Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
3. Micah 7:6 – Prophecy of Familial Conflict
“For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.”
4. Ephesians 6:4 – Parental Guidance to Avoid Strife
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
5. Colossians 3:21 – Avoiding Bitterness in Children
“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”
6. Proverbs 17:1 – Peace Over Feasting
“Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.”
7. Matthew 12:25 – A House Divided
“Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.’”
8. Mark 3:24-25 – Division Leads to Ruin
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”
9. Genesis 37:4 – Joseph’s Brothers’ Jealousy
“When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.”
10. Genesis 4:8 – Cain and Abel
“Now Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let’s go out to the field.’ While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.”
11. 1 John 3:12 – Warning Against Cain’s Example
“Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.”
12. Proverbs 15:18 – Avoiding Anger
“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.”
13. James 4:1 – Source of Quarrels
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”
14. Proverbs 6:19 – The Lord Hates Division
“A false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
15. 1 Corinthians 1:10 – Appeal for Unity
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
16. Romans 12:18 – Living at Peace
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
17. Hebrews 12:14 – Striving for Peace
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
18. Galatians 5:15 – Warning Against Biting and Devouring
“If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
19. 1 Peter 3:9 – Repaying Evil with Blessing
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
20. Proverbs 10:12 – Love Covers All Wrongs
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
21. Proverbs 19:11 – Patience in Quarrels
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
22. Philippians 2:3 – Humility in Relationships
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
23. Romans 14:19 – Pursuing Peace and Edification
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
24. James 1:19 – Listening and Slow to Anger
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
25. Proverbs 13:10 – Pride Leads to Conflict
“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
26. Romans 16:17 – Avoiding Divisive People
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”
27. 2 Timothy 2:23-24 – Avoiding Foolish Arguments
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”
28. Titus 3:9 – Avoiding Controversies and Quarrels
“But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.”
29. Ephesians 4:31-32 – Being Kind and Compassionate
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
30. Matthew 18:15 – Resolving Conflicts
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
31. Luke 17:3 – Rebuke and Forgive
“So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.”
32. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – The Nature of Love
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
33. 1 Peter 4:8 – Love Covers a Multitude of Sins
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Conclusion:
Family divisions can be one of the most difficult and heart-wrenching challenges to navigate. However, the Bible provides valuable insights and guidance that can help us understand and address these conflicts. By reflecting on these 33 Bible verses, we can find wisdom and hope for healing and reconciliation within our families. Remember, even in times of division, the principles of love, patience, and forgiveness remain paramount.
FAQs
Where in the Bible does it talk about division in the family?
Luke 12:52 in Other Translations
52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against.
What does the Bible say about a divided household?
In the King James Version, the quote is found in Matthew, 12:25: “And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.”
What does the Bible say about family conflict?
In the scriptures, we find profound wisdom in handling conflicts within our families. Matthew 18:15 (NIV), advises, “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you.” This verse underscores the importance of addressing conflicts privately and with a spirit of reconciliation.