Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV)

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 person who stirs up conflict in the community.


. . . Stirs up conflict in the community:

”sows discord in a family” (NLT)
“spreads strife among brothers” (NAS)
“a troublemaker in the family” (The Message)


Discord comes naturally to us . . .

GOD Hates Discord and He hates the person who stirs up conflict.


Psalm 133:

How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.


What Jesus prayed for us...

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. . . . so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
John 17:20-23

...The CommUNITY of the church.


Discordant people . . . ‘Dis’!

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
James 4:1-3 (NLT)


Healthy CommUNITY:

1.Realize there will be conflict!

GO and be reconciled . . .
THEN come and offer your sacrifice . . .
- Jesus

2.DIALOGUE, not Silos (this is hard work!)

3.Stop gossip in its tracks

4.Practice empathy and KINDNESS

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.
Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

5.In every situation ask “What does Jesus want to work on in ME?”

6.Confront with GRACE and TRUTH

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
Titus 3:9-11 (NIV)

7.Value unity and harmony as you value your life!

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Hebrews 12:14-15 (NIV)


With whom are you being called to make peace?

God will bless when we are one . . .

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35


God LOVES people who are peacemakers
God BLESSES peace and unity
God’s KINGDOM COMES through unity