Webster defines the word polemic – “An aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another. The art or practice of disputation or controversy.” Describing the etymology of the word, “When polemic was borrowed into English from French polemique in the mid-17th century, it referred (as it still can) to a type of hostile attack on someone’s ideas. The word traces back to Greek polemikos, which means “warlike” or “hostile” and in turn comes from the Greek noun polemos, meaning “war.”
This Greek noun polemos is used in James 4. “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:1-2).
The phrase in verse two “You fight and war” is the verb form of the word, polemeo. Thayer defines the verb – “to fight, to carry on war.”
In the context of James 4, the idea of war, and fighting a war is condemned. It is carnal. “Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” Using these words, James echoes the sentiment of Paul in Galatians 5. “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Galatians 5:17).
Paul was well acquainted with such carnal actions. In his first letter to the Corinthians, he admonished them for the divisiveness that characterized their congregation. “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, ‘I am of Paul,’ and another, ‘I am of Apollos,’ are you not carnal?” (3:1-4).
There is nothing more destructive to God’s people than divisive action. This is why swift discipline of this sin is so necessary. “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned” (Titus 3:9-11).
It is interesting that some Christians have misread the intent of this truth. Their flawed reasoning brings them to object to any Christian involving themselves in controversy. In fact, the idea of discipline itself is considered to be war-like, and objectionable. “Who am I to judge? That is so unkind, so unloving!”
Many in our time have a visceral reaction to a defense of truth against those who promote war among us. They equate the defender with the aggressor. This is faulty.
James himself, in admonishing the carnal in James 4, was entering the conflict against their sin. Paul as well, when he corrected the Corinthians. John named a divisive man, Diotrephes, by name, and said of him, “Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words…” He called upon Gaius, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God” (3 John 10-11).
Even our Lord, the Prince of Peace, found Himself in continual conflict with the forces opposed to truth and righteousness. Even so, it will be the same with those who belong to Him. “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law”; and “a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.”’” (Matthew 10:34-36).
The peace of God should be present among God’s people. If there is conflict, it is the fault of the one who brings division. They are not truly of us. “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us” (1 John 2:19). As for us, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).
It is obvious that love should be present and evident in our interactions with others. However, that love does not require or even allow for compromise for the sake of harmony. Such is appeasement, not faithfulness. The child of God is to, “…contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).
Warfare against the people of God is a carnal vice. The defense of truth is a virtue. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
It is a mistake to equate the defender of righteousness with the one who brings the leaven of sin into the fold. Strife among God’s people is always sinful. But, it is possible for Christians to oppose that sin righteously.
“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-2).
