Prov. 6:16-19 (NKJV) These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: ¹⁷A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸A heart that devises  wicked plans,  Feet that are swift in running to evil, ¹⁹ A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Often times people are surprised when one speaks of “God hating” anything. However, Scripture is full of things that God hates. Hatred, itself is not sinful, but rather the object of one’s hated is what can be sinful. We sometimes need to be reminded that God is both good and severe (read Romans 11:22).

The Sin Defined — There is a distinction to be made in one who stumbles due to weakness and one who revels in sin.

(Proverbs 11:27) “He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.”

God is patient with us as we stumble, but those who throw restraint to the wind, are those who are condemned in this passage. If only we were as swift to doing good as we are to doing evil.

(Exodus 23:2) “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil…”

How To Overcome Sin

1. Resist the Devil. (James 4:6) “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
2. Follow the impulses of the Spirit rather than the flesh. (Galatians 5:17) “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.”
3. Meditate upon God’s word. (Psalm 119:97,11) Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day…Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!”
4. (Matthew 6:13) “…And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one….”

 “He Who Sows Discord Among Brethren”

The last matter that is mentioned in this passage in Proverbs is “he who sows discord among Brethren.” Let’s examine together why it is that God hates this action.

The Need For Unity

1. So that the world might believe.

(John 17:20-21 NIV)  “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, {21} that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

2. So that we can succeed. (Matthew 12:25 NIV) Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
3. So that we can do the work we are called to do. (read Acts 6:1-7).
4. (Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV)  As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. {2} Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. {3} Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Do we try hard enough?

Why Some Sow Discord.

1. They’re more interested in their own agenda than the Lord’s. Pride won’t allow them to back up. (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. {4} Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
2. They are bored. An idle mind is the Devil’s playground. Either we’ll work constructively, or we’ll find something destructive to do.
3. Some have simply failed to put develop the mind of Christ. (Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV) Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. {32} Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

What Should We Do With One Who Sows Discord?

     (Matthew 5:43-45 NIV)  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ {44} But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, {45} that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

 (Romans 16:17 NIV)  I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

 (Titus 3:10-11 NIV)  Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. {11} You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.           

Let us endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. May we never find ourselves fighting against God, ignoring the welfare of the body of Christ, to pursue an agenda or to satisfy our pride. May we work together in peace, to the end that the world might be saved, and God will be glorified.