Proverbs 6:12-19

Proverbs 6:12-19 speaks against certain sins.  There is one particular sin that I want to warn against, and that is the sin of sowing discord among the brethren.  Unity in a church is vital for any church that wants to continue to grow.  Unity allows the congregation to pull together, whereas, discord pulls it apart.  Notice what is said: 

 "A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.  He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teaches with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.  Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.  These six things doth the LORD hate:  yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

 A froward mouth is one that is unbridled and is filled with deceit and discontent. We must be careful because we set a negative or a positive tone with our mouth and our demeanor.  Let's make sure to always be positive and upbeat in our dealings with others.

 Discord speaks of creating strife and contention.  Some people are masters at this.  I simply want us to be careful that we do not create this environment unintentionally.  It is the opposite of unity and cooperation.  One other verse that will provide biblical guidance comes to my mind. It is Proverbs 17:9(b), "...he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends."  We can even cause friends to separate because of an uncontrolled tongue that repeats something not needing to be repeated.

 Let's be careful to promote unity in our church so that we can walk together in agreement for the cause of Christ.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  Have you ever been stuck in a situation where discord was rampant?  How did it start?  

2.  Why is unity so important to a church moving forward with the Gospel?  

3.  Why is unity so important to a growing and flourishing love within a family?

4. What can you do to be positive?  What steps can you take to slow the spread of discord?