Unintentional strife sowing is real . . .

TODAY’S PROVERB: A perverse person sows strife, and a gossip separates close friends. Proverbs 16:28

This might seem to be a blink proverb*. I mean, what follower of Jesus would intentionally sow strife or cause division with gossip? Is unintentional strife sowing and gossip even possible? Unfortunately, yes.

Sowing strife and spreading gossip can easily be hidden in “Christian-ese.” Have you ever been in a situation where someone shares a “prayer request” and proceeds to go into great detail about what someone may or may not have done? An ounce of discernment will probably give us a check in our spirit that something isn’t kosher. Generally speaking, if the prayer request takes longer than the prayer, something else may be going on.

Strife and gossip can manifest with unforgiven offenses and feelings of rejection. We can sow seeds of division without knowing it when we haven’t dealt with our own sins arising from the hurts caused by our brothers and sisters in Messiah. Sins like anger and revenge — yes, revenge.

Have you ever noticed? It seems easier to forgive people who aren’t close to us, or who aren’t followers of Jesus, than those we trust and love. Those offenses can actually hurt more because we feel they should know better.

This is why we have to be especially careful to forgive, forgive, forgive. Then, forgive. Seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22) is a real thing.

Fortunately, our Heavenly Father knows are are made of dust (Psalm 103:14) — that we are frail and flawed. But, oh, how He loves us! And will keep us accountable.

When we take those hurts from our brothers and sisters in Messiah to Him in our Sacred Place, and in that place of safety and affirmation of His love forgive those hurts, we can move on, heal.

Likewise, if we have caused strife and have gossiped, we can repent in that Place as well. He may ask us to take responsibility for those sins, but He’ll be there to walk us through it in integrity. And that is a good thing.

May we sow shalom — peace– my friends.

Proverbs 16:28, Tree of Life Bible Society, Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs

*A “blink” proverb is a proverb that, on the surface, we don’t believe applies to us. However, on closer reflection, there are relevant insights and wisdom for us. Thanks to Dr. Raleigh Washington for coining the great terminology.