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Answer
There are three accounts in the Gospels in which Jesus states that a kingdom divided against itself is laid waste or a house divided cannot stand (Luke 11:17; Mark 3:25; Matthew 12:25). All three instances of this statement are spoken in response to the Pharisees’ accusation that Jesus was casting out demons by the power of Satan—a blasphemy that Jesus said would not be forgiven them.
Jesus’ argument to the Pharisees was logical: a kingdom that is at cross-purposes with itself will fall. Any household riven by infighting will tear itself apart. Jesus was obviously casting demons out of people. If Jesus was in league with Satan, or if Satan was somehow working through Jesus, it is unlikely that exorcisms would be a priority, because why would Satan cast himself out? Satan has more practical wisdom than to allow his demonic underlings to group themselves into warring factions.
By saying that a house divided cannot stand, Jesus is illustrating the fact that success relies on congruency. This is something we see in daily life all the time. Whether it is a machine, a sports team, a government party, or one’s own mind, things have to work together if anything is to be accomplished. The Bible says that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways «A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. », (James 1:8), and Paul appeals to the churches that there be no divisions among the believers «Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. », (1 Corinthians 1:10). In reality, churches should be united in their purpose and judgment, avoiding individuals who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to sound doctrine «Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. », (Romans 16:17). Christians are not to quarrel but to be unified around a common understanding of truth. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” «Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! », (Psalm 133:1).
God commands unity among believers because, once conflict enters the midst of any assembly or entity, productivity and usefulness inevitably grind to a halt, and the entire organization is weakened and becomes vulnerable to attack. As Jesus said, “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.”
A fruit of the Spirit is peace «But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, », (Galatians 5:22). Christians are, as followers of the Prince of Peace, peaceful individuals « Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. », (Matthew 5:9). We are called to live in harmony with one another «Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. », (Romans 12:16) and, as far as it depends on us, to be at peace with everyone «Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which nNo man shall see the Lord: (Hebrews 12:14). Jesus Christ is building His church “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18). His “house” will stand; “his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end” “I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and steadfast forever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.” (Daniel 6:26).
