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Disunity

“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19

All of the above the Lord hates. Lying is in the list twice. However, I want to draw your attention to the last phrase. “A man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” Think back to your years in junior high. Were there kids who were expert in stirring up dissension? They seemed to delight in it. How about since then? Have you ever been in, or observed a church fight in a local congregation?

“See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15

If bitterness springs up it defiles many people and dissension then happens. The instruction is to see that no one misses the grace of God.

This dissension has to be stopped. Here are two verses with the same solution.

“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. For such people are not serving our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people.” Romans 16:17, 18

1. Watch out for them
2. Keep away from them
3. “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that,
have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and
sinful; he is self-condemned.” Titus 3:10, 11
- Warn him a maximum two times.
- Have nothing to do with him.
- He is warped, sinful and self condemned.
4. They are not serving the Lord Christ
5. They are effective communicators by smooth talk, flattery, and lying.
6. Don’t be naïve.

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