THE CONTENTION BECAME SO SHARP

FRIDAY 06

“Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.”
Acts 15:39 (NKJV)

READ: Acts 15:30–41

At times separation had to happen through disagreement. If you had to be separated from someone, if your persuasions differ and some cogent issues are not agreed upon, you can go ahead and do that—two cannot walk together except they are agreed (Amos 3:3). Your persuasion might be different from that of the person who you are together with, and you are strongly convinced about what you believe that God is asking you to do; you can go ahead and separate from the person.

Where there is no agreement, oneness or unity, there cannot be progress. There are situations where two people or group will get separated and God will still bless each person or group. The only thing you should avoid when you are separating with someone or group is that you should not allow bitterness or animosity. It is when you allow bitterness that the devil would have the opportunity to weigh in and take advantage of the situation and cause what you are building to be scattered.

It was said that Barnabas also worked, it was only that he probably did not write any epistles or his epistles were not canonized. Both of them, Barnabas and Paul, were blessed in their assignments; it is only that we do not have the record of his work in the Bible. One of the evidence that he did work is that Paul eventually asked Timothy to bring Mark to him because he would be useful to him for ministry (2 Timothy 4:11). I want to believe that Mark who was not a stable person before, eventually became a useful vessel later through his relationship or companionship with Barnabas.

That shows us that God did help their team, that of Barnabas and Mark, also, after they separated from Paul. If your being with someone would not make you fulfil what God has instructed and assigned you to do, you go ahead and get separated from the person; however, do not allow bitterness and animosity. In
the body of Christ, we may not all agree on certain issues but the core tenets of faith should be agreed upon, but be flexible on others that could be considered flexible issues.

And if you have served under someone, but you feel that you are being led to part with the person; you either do it in Jacob’s way, or Moses’ way. When Jacob was to leave Laban, he sneaked away, he did not formally inform Laban (Genesis 31:19–21). He was afraid that Laban might want to take all he had acquired, however, there is no reason to justify what he did (Genesis 31:31).

However, in Moses’ way, he told his father-in-law, Jethro the priest of Midian (Exodus 4:18). Moses told his father-in-law about his leaving and the man released him (Exodus 4:18).

In some instances, God is always aware of such a separation and usually allows it. Although it may look like a rebellion or quarrel, it is God’s divine arrangement. Separation had to occur sometimes!

Peace.

Reflect:
☞ Is there a partnership or friendship you are in right now that you have not examined before God?
☞ Is there someone you have parted ways with but still resent?
☞ What are you doing to release any lingering bitterness towards the person?

Edification Daily Devotional for November 2026 can be downloaded here:
Drive: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U98wd3PNiUVvcIzrECAV4ZPF001W6-sp/view?usp=drive_link
Telegram: https://t.me/Bethel_Digital_Library/63
Get your free copy now. Kindly share with others also. Stay blessed.