"Troublemaker in the Family"

Scripture:

Proverbs 6:16-19 (ESV) There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: (17) haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, (18) a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, (19) a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (TM) Here are six things GOD hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: (17) eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, (18) a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, (19) a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family.

Observation:

6:12 Verses 12-15 are a classic description of a con man. He is a malicious swindler whose cunning smile masks a treacherous heart. He goes around with falsehood on his lips.

6:16 The things which characterize this wicked man (vv. 12-15) are hated by God (vv. 16-19), especially the sowing of discord (compare vv. 14 and 19).

The formula "six things . . . yes, seven . . ." indicates that the seventh is worst of all. Let's look at all seven:

A proud look. Pride is dust deifying itself. The valet of an emperor said:

I cannot deny that my master was vain. He had to be the central figure in everything. If he went to a christening, he wanted to be the baby. If he went to a wedding, he wanted to be the bride. If he went to a funeral, he wanted to be the corpse.

A lying tongue. The tongue was created to glorify the Lord. To lie is to pervert its use for that which is worthless. God cannot lie, and He will not give the privilege to anyone else.

Hands that shed innocent blood. Every human life is of infinite value to God. He proved this by paying an infinite price at Calvary for our redemption. The institution of capital punishment (Genesis 9:6) reflects God's attitude toward murder.

A heart that devises wicked plans. This, of course, refers to the mind that is always plotting some evil. The Lord Jesus listed some of these wicked imaginations in Mark 7:21-22.

Feet that are swift in running to evil. God hates not only the mind that plans the evil but the feet that are eager to carry it out.

A false witness who speaks lies. Here it is a matter of public testimony in a court of law. In verse 17b it was more a matter of everyday conversation.

One who sows discord among brethren. The striking thing here is that God ranks the one who causes divisions among brethren with murderers, liars, and perjurers!

Notice some verses about those who sow discord:

Proverbs 6:14 Their perverse minds are always cooking up something nasty, always stirring up trouble.

Proverbs 16:28 Troublemakers start fights; gossips break up friendships.

Application:

Christians must never forget that their words can promote life or death, unity or division, love or hate. How many souls have been murdered with the mouths of discontent believers? “The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor...” (Prov. 11:9).

The Bible clearly warns us to mark those who cause division and strife and to avoid them. They are used by the Devil to cause trouble to the church and to the work of the Gospel (Romans 16:17).

Are you a sower of discord? Are you being used by the Devil to cause division and strife in your church? If so, be warned of the severe consequences that you will face unless you repent of your sin and bring your mouth under control.

God promises, the sower of discord will face calamity. “A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth; he winks with his eyes, he shuffles his feet, he points with his fingers; perversity is in his heart, he devises evil continually, he sows discord. Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; suddenly he shall be broken without remedy” (Prov. 6:12-15).

If you can’t say good things about your church, then keep your mouth shut. If you don’t think the church or its leaders are doing what they should, go talk with them privately. Pray daily for God to help them. And if you still don’t think the church is doing you any good, then get down to the altar and pray until it does, or get out of there and find one that will!

Whatever you do, don’t become an adversary to the church, it’s leaders or people! Regardless of what you think about your church, it belongs to the Lord, and if it is in error He’s big enough to correct it without your complaints.

If you become a trouble-maker to your church, you will make yourself an enemy to Jesus (Matthew 25:40), and He warned against becoming a stumbling-block to the faith of believers lest you face severe judgment. “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6).

Prayer:

"Lord, forgive me for the times I have caused one of Your children to stumble. Forgive me for the times I have allowed sower of discord to affect me in a negative way. Forgive me for the times I have not stopped a sower of discord from planting those seeds in my mind and heart. I speak healing, health, unity into Your people who read this blog today. May each of us ask You to forgive us for being used as a tool in the hands of the devil. Help me to examine my words and motives today. Some of us need to stop the trouble maker in their path when they begin to speak, or we will be held accountable. Help us Holy Spirit, in Jesus' name, amen!"