The “Factious Man” by T. E. BOWEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 22, 1916

The “Factious Man”

By T. E. BOWEN

T. E. BOWEN

The apostle Paul met the “factious man.” He knew his methods. He had learned by sad experience how subtly such persons work among the flock to mislead and divide the followers of Christ. These men have characteristics which serve as earmarks, so that they may be detected. The apostle warned his fellow servants in strong terms against such men.

To Titus, his son in the gospel, he wrote, “Shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strifes, and fightings about the law [laws about ceremonies ending in the offering of the body of Christ]; for they are unprofitable and vain. A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse; knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned.” Titus 3: 9-11.

“Factious: Given to faction; addicted to form parties or factions and raise dissensions; seditious.”—Webster.

While this definition of a factious man applies largely to conditions in governments, the same principles underlie the work of such in the church. These men count themselves as having greater light or ability than those whom God has placed as leaders in the church, or the institution, or the conference, or elsewhere in his work. They seek for an opportunity to advance their ideas. Nothing can be more important. To question them, their message, or their methods is enough to place one among their antagonists. They welcome debate and argument.

Such are not slow in pointing out the personal defects of the brethren. The comparison, as these factious ones view it, with their own personal merits, must be very apparent to all, to the disadvantage of the brethren. They forget the words of the Master. “With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged.”

Jude speaks very decidedly regarding the factious man, and the spirit of self-will and misguided zeal that goes with his work: “But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed

about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these rail at whatsoever things they know not. . . . These are they who are hidden rocks in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; . . . autumn trees without fruit, . . . wild waves of the sea, . . . wandering stars.”

Now all this is foreign to the meek and quiet spirit of Jesus. Before mentioning the factious man, Paul exhorted Titus, as he labored among the believers, to “put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work, to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men.”

This spirit within the believer unites hearts, never separates. The factious man is always contentious, but the follower of Jesus is not contentious. The man who has come close to the side of his Lord is not seeking to build himself up, nor is he seeking place and notoriety; from his Lord he has learned meekness, humbleness of mind, and in honor he prefers others. His voice is not heard in hot condemnation of others; he brings no railing judgment against any.

A factious man is a sinner. However well clothed in righteous robes he may seem to be, he is perverted. Being himself perverted, his work can do nothing else than pervert others. “Knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned,” is the word of God concerning the work of such.

This spirit of disunion we all must guard against. It may not have developed in some to the outbreaking point of open revolt and disconnection from the body. But the very seeds of the wicked plant must be destroyed, or the harvest will later develop. Nothing but the pure, warm love of Jesus can kill this wicked thing and drive it out of the heart.

Those prepared for Christ’s coming will be a united people. The early rain of the Spirit had the result that “the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul.” And the prayer of Christ will yet be answered when the latter rain does its work on hearts: “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”

Here is excellent counsel for us all: “When you do your appointed work without contention or criticism of others, a freedom, a light, and a power will attend it that will give character and influence to the institutions and enterprises with which you are connected. . . .

“Christ has been made our judge. The Father is not the judge. The angels are not. He who took humanity upon himself, and in this world lived a perfect life, is to judge us. He only can be our judge. Will you remember this, brethren? Will you remember it, ministers? Will you remember it, fathers and mothers? Christ took humanity that he might be our judge. No one of you has been appointed to be, a judge of others. It is all that you can do to discipline yourselves. In the name of Christ I entreat you to heed the injunction that he gives you, never to place yourselves on the judgment seat. From day to day, this message has been sounded in my ears: ‘Come down from the judgment seat. Come down in humility.’”—‘Testimonies for the Church,’ Vol. IX, pp. 184-186.

This instruction harmonizes with the word written to the brethren at Rome: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned; and turn away from them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ.” Rom. 16: 17, 18.

Takoma Park, D. C.