#7 Thing God Hates (Proverbs 6:19)

#7 Thing God Hates: a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.  In the KJV the word used is discord.  The definition of discord according to Merriam-Webster is a lack of agreement or harmony (as between persons, things, or ideas) : active quarreling or conflict resulting from discord among persons or factions : strife.  This one is very hard for us to understand.  My problem has always been this: where do you draw the line between telling the truth and stirring up dissension?  As I was listening to John Courson do a commentary on this the other day, he made me realize…the problem is not the  person who is causing the conflict or strife, it is the person or people that go around and tell everyone else about it that is the problem!  Just imagine this…you are making cookies.  You have everything mixed together and you think you are done and then you realize that you forgot the vanilla flavoring.  As you measure and start to pour the flavoring over the cookie dough, you realize that you have measured out Tobassco sauce instead (I know crazy example…but we Mom’s have been so preoccupied that we could to this!).  You have put about half the teaspoon in, so what are your options?  You can stir it all up and ruin the whole batch or you can take a clean spoon and dip the hot sauce out.  This is a picture of what this scripture is talking about.  God can take his “clean spoon” and dip out the problem or person causing the problem before it gets stirred into the whole batch.  Yes, there are times in our Christian walk (especially at church) that the truth should be unveiled.  The bible has all of the answers on how to handle every situation…Matt 18:15-17 NIV – “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”  1 Corinthians 5 tells us how to deal with other sin in the church.  But a scripture that will help us not go around wagging our tongues and “stirring” is Eph 4:29-31 NIV “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  So put away those spoons and quit stirring!