Walking with the Wise #38: GOD Hates Those Who Sow Discord Among Brothers

“There are six things that the LORD hates, 

seven that are an abomination to Him:

haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.”
—Proverbs 6:16-19

The last thing that comes up in our list of things that God hates is one who “sows discord among brothers.” Eugene Peterson translates it as, “a troublemaker in the family” (The Message). The word for “brothers” can mean literal or metaphorical family members. God hates those who intentionally disrupt the relationship between those in any family. Why? God is a God of harmony who delights in unity of relationship, because the unity of relationship testifies to His unity as God, as Jesus said:  

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in Me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent Me”—John 17:20-21.

Throughout the Scriptures we are encouraged to live in harmony, as Paul wrote:

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight”—Romans 12:16.

And again,  

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony”—Colossians 3:14.

We must make sure that as far as it depends on us, we are to “live peaceably with all”—Romans 12:18. And make sure that we are eager to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”—Ephesians 4:3.

Whenever someone tries to disrupt the unity that we are to have as Christians, the devil is having a field day, because the truth of Christ is being diminished in the world. Our goal is always unity in the Spirit, united in Christ by the truth of who He is.

As Christians we must remember that,

“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all”—Ephesians 4:4-6.

It is only in Christ that,  

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”—Galatians 3:28. 

It is only in Jesus that the rich man and poor man, the master and slave can be brought together. It is only in Christ that sexism, racism, and elitism are removed.

Whenever discord is introduced, the unity of God is brought into question and people are turned away from Christ. It is essential that we seek unity in order that Christ may be seen as God in our lives enabling others to see Jesus in us.

May the one true Triune God grant us a unity of the Spirit, in order that God may be glorified in us, and others might be saved by Him. Amen.