Ultimately, division is caused by self righteousness..... "My doctrine is right, yours is wrong" Mindset.
It sounds to me like you are describing pride. I'd have to agree. I think it's often though in the form of envy. I think there are those who desire to be seen as something they are not. And though they don't have a mature understanding of the Scriptures, they press their points seeking that "upper hand".
although sound doctrine is essential to the Christian life, it means nothing until it blossoms in the believer in deeds of righteousness which are not our works but the works of God through us.
I don't know that I'd say "means nothing", just the same, yes, doctrine is intended to reveal to us our Creator, and a life lived with Him. But so that we can know what truly is and is not that life, that we can more accurately know our Creator, He's given us that doctrine.
This whole question of teaching compared to experience, and which is more valuable, for me it's like asking which is more important to forging the sword, the hammer? Or the anvil? Without both, it's not going to work.
I think that's why the writer of Hebrews put it that way, "Who by reason of use", that you begin with the doctrinal milk, but that you won't be getting stronger meat until you put that to use. And then you will be given more meaty doctrine, and as you put that to use, meatier still.
Hebrews 5:12 KJV
12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
The comparison made here is that the milk compares to the first principles of the oracles of God, so then the meat is that is beyond the first, of the principles of the oracles of God.
You should be teachers, that is, imparting doctrine, but you are not ready for the meat, you need the milk, the first principles of the Word. The meat here is the deeper understandings and knowledge of the Word, it's teachings.
And you will only arrive there if you correctly use what you've been given. God's Word has an intent for the direction of our lives, and if we pick our own direction, His working won't be happening in us, other than His constant prodding to return to the good way.
it means nothing until it blossoms in the believer in deeds of righteousness which are not our works but the works of God through us.
It think this is also the intent of 2 Corinthians 3:18, to say that seeing God in ourselves transforms us to become like God. But I stress the importance of having the security of the Word of God to moderate our experiences. We can have all manner of experiences, but we have to make sure our perceptions and opinions match up with that doctrine.
If we end up forming our ideas separate from Biblical doctrine, it's not going to be building in us the true faith by which we walk in the ordained works. We can end up choosing for ourselves what we think we should be doing, and miss entirely what God intends for us. Those who want to share their experiences, or to paint some spiritual tapestry for the public to view, or who envy the true spiritually gifted teacher, won't be doing the works of righteousness, but will be doing their own, and I think that brings division into the church.
deeds of righteousness which are not our works but the works of God through us.
God's works through us with the intent that they transform us to be ones who work as He works, they become our works, that God preordained for us to walk in.
It's like in Romans 8, that it's by the Holy Spirit that we cry, Abba! Father! God truly brings us into unity with Him, to the point that I can't separate what part is Him and what part is me!
As the Word of God teaches us to separate flesh from spirit, as we learn to stop identifying with fleshing things, stop trying to do things in fleshy ways, we move more into that Spirit life, and as we more consistenly walk in the Spirit, we will be less divisive.
In terms of this forum, I think that translates into not misrepresenting other people's views, not making accusatory statements, not characterizing others, not "quoting Scripture against someone".
I think of places like Ephesians 4:29, Everyone of us should have this memorized, Let no corrupt word go forth out of your mouth, but what is good unto the needful building up, that it may give grace to the hearers.
If we are not building up . . . if we are not giving grace . . . we should give careful consideration to the delete key.
Much love!