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Proverbs 6:16-19, "These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to mischief, A false witness who speaks lies, and One who sows {spreads} discord {strife} among brethren."

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The word "discord" in Proverbs 6:14, is translated from the Hebrew madawn, meaning "strife, bitter conflict, and heated and often violent dissension." Sowing discord implies spreading conflict or scattering it widely. Proverbs 16:28, "A perverse individual stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." This passage reveals that people who sow discord are corrupted by sin and afflicted with a perverted heart.

Today's social media and internet chat platforms have become tempting playgrounds for those who love stirring up arguments. However scripture, has nothing good to say about a person who sows discord: Proverbs 6:12-15, "A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing."

Solomon pointed to a dangerous heart problem, a perverted heart, as the root issue for someone who sows discord. Jesus said the same: in Matthew 15:18-20, "But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, {blasphemies} slander. 20 These are the things that defile a person. … " We also read in Proverbs 10:12, "Hatred stirs up strife, … " Hatred dwells in the heart of those who stir up conflict. Hateful people delight in breaking up friendships and spoiling peace and harmony between brothers and sisters.

The Bible is clear that sin provokes strife and disagreement: Galatians 5:17, "For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20 idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

James 4:1-7, "What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? 2 You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy? 6 But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Proverbs 17:19, "Anyone who loves transgression {rebellion} loves strife … "; stated Solomon. Believers cannot walk in the light of God's love and continue spewing hatred and sowing discord: 1 John 2:9-11, "Anyone who claims, 'I am living in the light,' but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. 10 Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness."

Do you really know Jesus? 1 John 2:3-6, "And by this standard we know that we know Him: if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 On the other hand, if anyone is keeping His Word, truly in this one the love of God is being perfected. By this means we know that we are in Him. 6 Anyone who claims to dwell in Him is obligating himself also to walk even as He Himself walked."

Paul warned believers against involving themselves in arguments and fights, even about spiritual matters: Titus 3:9-11, "But avoid foolish questions and genealogies, and debates and quarrels about law, for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 After the first and second admonition, reject a man who is teaching heresy, 11 Knowing that such a person has been subverted and is sinning, being condemned by his own words."

The word "abomination" was frequently used to express the idea of something loathed, especially religiously (according to Vine’s Expository Dictionary). In discussing this word's use, Vine also added, abomination was looked upon with intense hatred."These things doth the Lord hate" it denoted a detestable action. (Robert Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible defined abomination as a detestable thing). The New Oxford American Dictionary defines the word to mean, "a thing that causes disgust or hatred." From these definitions it is not difficult to understand how disgusting and detestable it is in God's sight for someone to sow discord in the church! The word discord here means strife and/or contention. Discord is also defined as a lack of agreement or harmony by the New Oxford American Dictionary.

Proverbs 20:3, "It is an honor for a man to cease from strife, but every fool will rail on {be obstinate}." Solomon compared people who sow discord to troublemakers who go around lighting fires: Proverbs 26:21, "As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife." Fires leave death and destruction in their wake. A person who continually and actively sows discord is pursuing a life of sin, and such a life is destined for destruction!

Romans 6:23, "For the wages {pay} of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." & James 1:15, "After lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is completely finished, brings forth death."

Jesus said in, Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God." But wicked mischief-makers who sow discord can expect to experience devastating distress and severe suffering. If they stubbornly refuse to listen to God's warning and accept correction, they will be broken and ruined beyond all hope of healing. The Scriptures issue no light word of caution on this matter. Having a heart perverted by evil is a matter of life and death. The aftermath of such wickedness cannot be reversed.

The book of 1 Corinthians was written to clarify and address several issues in the church at Corinth. The first issue that Paul addresses is the sin of division within the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:10, "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction." It appears many of the problems at Corinth came as a result of divisions within the church body. Psalm 133:1 "… Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" There is joy when no one is causing discord!

No one enjoys being a part of division; no one likes a troublemaker. One who disturbs the peace of the Lord's family is a detestable person in the sight of God. Jesus stated in Mark 3:24-25, "For if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand; 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house is not able to stand." Paul told the Corinthians their division was a sign of them still being carnal. 1 Corinthians 3:3, "For you are still carnal. For since envy and contention and divisions are among you, are you not carnal? And are you not walking according to human ways?"

Paul told what action we must take when people cause division and strife: Romans. 16:17-18, "Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them {shun them}. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive." James 3:16, "Because where bitter envying and selfish ambition are, there is dissension and every evil thing." Is it any wonder that sowing discord among brethren is hated and detested by the Lord?

Instead of discord, envy and strife, we need unity. Christ spoke about unity in John 17:20-23, "I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message 21 that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one— 23 I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me."

What should we strive to do daily? Hebrews 12:14-15, "Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord; 15 Looking diligently, lest anyone fall from the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and through this many be defiled." Hebrews 12:1-2, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great throng of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily entraps us; and let us run the race set before us with endurance, 2 Having our minds fixed on Jesus, the Beginner and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that lay ahead of Him endured the cross, although He despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Romans 12:16-18, "Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high ambitions; rather, be accommodating with those of low estate. Do not be wise in your own eyes. 17 Do not render to anyone evil for evil, but be prepared to do what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, as much as is your part, be at peace with all men." Each one of us responsible for determining our ability to promote peace and harmony among our fellowship and we should never be guilty of "sowing discord among brethren."

Have you made a decision to walk in truth and love? 2 John 1:4-7, "I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father has commanded us. 5 And now I urge you, dear lady—not as a new commandment to you, but one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist."

We must avoid all Abominations. When Abominations are committed, God is sorely displeased!

God Hates One Who Sows Strife Among Brethren

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 - New Covenant Saints

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