These Seven Things: Stirring Up Trouble!

Proverbs 6:16-19 states, "Take note, there are six things the Eternal hates; no, make itseven He abhors: Eyes that look down on others, a tongue that can’t be trusted, hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that conceives evil plans, feet that sprint toward evil, A false witness who breathes out lies, and anyone who stirs up trouble among the faithful." (The Voice)

We discussed lying earlier this week. If you are interested in checking out that blog it is HERE. 

Today, we will be talking about: anyone who stirs up trouble among the faithful.

You all know I love to read different versions of the Bible because I feel like they all give different perspectives and they come together to create an understandable picture of what God is trying to tell us.

Proverbs 6:19-  ".... ,a witness who tells one lie after another,and someone who stirs up trouble among friends." (GNT)

Proverbs 6:19- "...a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community." (NIVUK)

Proverbs 6:19- "...a liar, that is, a false witness; and he who soweth discord among brothers, or among friends.)" (WYC)

Someone who stirs up trouble among friends.

A person who stirs up conflict in the community.
He who sows discord among friends.

This breaks God's heart.

Proverbs Chapter 6.

Earlier in Proverbs chapter 6, the Bible says:

Someone who struts about taking advantage of others
Someone who deceives others
Someone who cheats people
Someone who is consistently pointing a finger at others
Someone who stirs up trouble everywhere

This person is to be avoided.
This person will be destroyed, suddenly.
Their lives will be ruined beyond repair.

When I read through this, the only thing I can think of is:

God, help us to not be the kind of person that is constantly stirring up trouble in our lives or the lives of others. Help us to not be someone that needs to be avoided. Help us to not destroy our lives or the lives of others. HELP US.

I don't want to be the person in Proverbs 6 that God warns us to avoid. It literally makes me sick to my stomach to think about. A person that doesn't improve people's lives-- but tears them down.

James Chapter 4.

In James chapter 4, James writes about selfishness, greed, and discord.

He writes:

"Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that make war inside you. You want things, but you don’t get them. So you kill and are jealous of others. But you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. You don’t get what you want because you don’t ask God. Or when you ask, you don’t receive anything, because the reason you ask is wrong. You only want to use it for your own pleasure.... "

Everything described in Proverbs 6:16-19 is rooted in one thing: a heart issue.

Lying stems from our heart.
Pride stems from our heart.
Murder stems from our heart.
Evil stems from our heart.
Stirring up trouble stems from our heart.

James asks the question: Do you know where your fighting and starting arguments come from???

And then he answers that question for us.

It comes from our selfish desires.
From the war taking place within us.
From the jealousy that oozes out of our heart.
From wanting our own way.
From wanting what isn't ours.

This is where arguments stem from--- from our hearts not being aligned with God's Word and His Will. From our hearts being aligned with OUR wants and OUR desires.

A great quote that I try to always remember is this:

"There are some people who always seem angry and continuously look for conflict. Walk away; the battle they are fighting isn't with you, it is with themselves."

We fight a war inside of us-- a battle of human nature vs. God.

And when we are not submissive. When we slack on our prayer life, our worship life, our Bible reading-- the human nature has a clear path to our heart. It makes it's way in and starts to stir trouble within our soul which in turn causes us to stir trouble in other areas of our lives.

Have you ever said to yourself, 'I need to keep my mouth shut about this situation,' but a few moments later, words are spewing out of your mouth that you know you are going to regret.....

We must be cautious to submit our thoughts, words, and actions to Jesus Christ. Ask Him to guard our mouths, guard our thoughts.. He will do it! We just have to want it bad enough. 

Busybodies.

The Bible gives a great word for someone who stirs up trouble. He calls them 'busybodies.'

According to the dictionary, a 'busybody' is described as: a meddling or prying person. A mischief maker. A trouble maker. An interferer.

In 1 Peter 4, Peter tells us that we will face trials and sufferings because we live in Christ. He tells us that if we experience pain and suffering in the name of Christ, we should consider ourselves happy because Christ also suffered. HOWEVER, Peter warns us that we should NOT be happy to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a busybody. This is something to be ashamed of. 

Ashamed. A busybody is put in the same category as a murderer, thief, and evildoer....

Jesus, help us.

Instead of being a busybody and an evildoer- Peter says:

"Love each other steadily and unselfishly, because love makes up for many faults. Show hospitality to each other without complaint. Use whatever gift you’ve received for the good of one another so that you can show yourselves to be good stewards of God’s grace in all its varieties. If you’re called upon to talk, speak as though God put the words in your mouth; if you’re called upon to serve others, serve as though you had the strength of God behind you. In these ways, God may be glorified in all you do through Jesus the Anointed..."

Love each other steadily. 

Love each other unselfishly.
Love covers all sins.
Show hospitality to others-- without complaining.
Use our gifts for the good of others.
Speak as though God put the words in our mouths.
Serve as though had we have the strength of God in us.
Glorify God in everything we do.


GLORIFY GOD IN ALL WE DO.

Being a busy body... stirring up trouble.. talking about others... gossiping... lying... spreading rumors...

None of this glorifies God.

In Matthew 5, Matthew writes, "Blessed are the peacemakers..."

God, help us to shift ours hearts. Help us to realize the power in our words and help us to see when we are not glorifying You. Help us to be peacemakers, not troublemakers. Help us to be loving to everybody, not busybodies. Let us use our time to praise You.. to do good in Your name.. We love You Jesus!