Recently, I was talking with a Christian man that mentored me during my early life in Jesus. He said that people who cause trouble among God’s children are evil, and we should stay away from them. That rang true but caught me off guard. Then he pointed me to Proverbs 6:16-19.
16 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.
I’m sure we know people that love to “stir the pot.” They find enjoyment in manipulating people. At a social church gathering, we may hear someone say, discreetly, “Sister Jane, I heard Amy say that everyone hates the carrot cake you bring every single time to church functions.” Or, in a Sunday School class, we may overhear the teacher telling the class, “We can still learn from the myths in the Bible.”
17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Romans 16:17-18
Avoid these people. Mature Christian men and women carry the responsibility to counsel troublemakers. If they refuse to change then they must be put out of the local church.
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