Divine division: The two words appear to be an oxymoron- an expressed idea in which there seems to be completely contradictory terms. "Divine" means that something is of God or emanates from Him. "Division" is the act of dividing, separating into two parts, or forming a boundary between. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was called the prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6).
On the occasion of Christ's birth, the angels pronounced peace on earth (Luke 2:14) and the Prophet Zacharias, under the anointing of the Holy Ghost, declared that Jesus would guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:67 and 79). Prior to His return to heaven, Jesus gave the gift of peace to His followers, promising "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).
The Apostle Paul speaks of a peace through Jesus that surpasses human understanding and keeps the hearts and minds of believers secure in Christ (Philippians 4:7). So how can we possibly coin a phrase like "divine division"? The word "division" brings to mind problems and conflicts, not peace and unity. This concept of divine division, however, is found in the Bible in words spoken by Jesus Himself who declared: 3 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. (Luke 12:51-53)
How could someone with the name "prince of peace" and who left His followers with the gift of supernatural peace possibly make such a declaration as, "I came to bring division?" It is because Jesus spoke of a division whose source is not evil, but which comes from God Himself and accomplishes His divine purposes.
If we accept that God is a divine divider, then that raises some important questions that must be considered. How many times, in the divisions we personally encounter, is it God actually at work in our lives instead of Satan?
We usually credit broken relationships, church splits, and other divisions as the work of Satan. But is that always true? Are some divisions instituted by God to accomplish His purposes? Is there really such a thing as divine division?