Variance is one of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21. The Greek word is defined by Thayer as: "contention, strife, wrangling." Unfortunately, many pay absolutely no attention to refraining from this sin. It is not uncommon for there to be contention between brethren in a local congregation of God's people. Satan is very cunning. His goal is to cause strife and contention in order to hurt and to divide the body of Christ. The Devil knows that there is strength in unity. Soldiers who are not a unit in war simply can not be successful! The same is true with the Lord's church.

If members really believed that those who cause contention and strife are going to hell, there would be more love, peace, and unity in the church. Webster, among other definitions, defines contention as, "strife in words or debate; quarrel; angry contest; controversy." Strife is defined as, "exertion or contention for superiority; contest of emulation, either by intellectual or physical efforts. Strife may be carried on between students or between mechanics." We might add to this, or between brethren! We should not be looking to cause strife, contention, or division. We should try to attribute the best motives that we possibly can to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Webster defines wrangling as, "the act of disputing angrily." The word wrangler is defined as, "an angry disputant; one who disputes with heat or peevishness; as a noisy, contentious wrangler."

In Romans 1:29, the word variance is translated as "debate." It is interesting that it is listed after "murder." Shouldn't we be more serious about fighting and contending one with another? Contention, strife, arguments, and vicious debating involve the unlawful and unwise use of the tongue. Whisperers and backbiters are in the same list of the sins of the Gentiles. Paul concludes the list by saying, "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." (Romans 1:32). We are further warned in Romans 13:12-14: "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." My dear Friend, does it appear to you that the sin of variance or strife is something to be taken lightly? If we had a smallpox epidemic, I'm sure it would get everyone's attention and we'd

all be concerned. Brethren, isn't sin worse than smallpox or any other disease?