The Seventh Thing

There are six things the Lord hates - no, seven things he detests:

haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that kill the innocent,
a heart that plots evil,
feet that race to do wrong,
a false witness who pours out lies,
a person who sows discord in a family.

Proverbs 6:16-19 NLT

What sin do all these things have in common? Pride in one form or another. The very thing that got Lucifer kicked out of Heaven. God hates all these things, but often we overlook the person who sows discord in a family. We may tend to think that's just the way they are - not happy unless they're stirring up something - but God says He hates it!!  

Sowing discord is saying and doing things that cause distrust in families, and usually results in arguments, fights, and alienation. Sadly, the ‘sower’ often acts as if he/she is not at fault or even trying to cause arguments. However hurtful it may be, rather than react in the flesh or fight back, we need to fight this with prayer. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

There are far-reaching consequences to discord and unforgiveness. Mark 11:25-26 NKJV reads, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Christ was crucified so that we could be forgiven and walk in forgiveness. Rather than allow someone else's actions to drag us into discord and unforgiveness, let's humble ourselves to God and each other and walk in His love.

Prayer:

Father,

           We're not making light of or dismissing the first six things, but this seventh thing stands out tonight. We all know folks who have sown discord in their families. We pray for peace, for divine wisdom. We pray for hearts willing to walk in forgiveness, willing to love over the multitude of sins. We ask that You come with Your peace that surpasses our understanding. You are our Redeemer. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen