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
[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society’s CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]*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.
May I lay those broken pieces down before Yahweh and let Him make me into something new. Let me sow SHALOM.
A good prayer for us all, Nico!
I read this chapter yesterday in preparation for today, and it spoke to me about Adonai standing up for us. This verse and your blog reminded me that no matter the hurt we suffer, He is there besiide us.
So true. And we’re so blessed that we can live that out each day, every day.
When I signed up to be on the Prayer Team at my church several years ago, I noted that first names were used for the submitter and the person for whom they were requesting prayer. I came to “know” some of them after a while. Loved how certain ones offered requests back-and-forth for each other. I wondered whether they knew the potential for gossip that lay therein. It’s a Mega Church, so I figured there couldn’t be too much chance of that. But then, recently I noted that the sender/compiler of requests has substituted initials now and I again wondered what precipitated this change. I can see where one could innocently share a concern to another who could be another pray-er for the person in question. There’s a fine line there, one that would be easy to cross. In my sweet little church back in Santa Barbara (our family had been members since 1950!) we used full names on the prayer list, although we did not know their request needs. Made it easy to send a “Thinking of you” card or note without being invasive, even if it piqued interest and curiosity that could create a gossip moment. I can’t believe I have gone off on such a tangent with this. Blame it on all the “Inquisitions” that we are currently privy to coming out of DC! Have a wonderful rest of the weekend, Terri. SO glad you came into my life! <3
“Public” or semi-public prayer requests unfortunately create an environment for gossip. That’s why I like the one-on-one requests or the initials. And I LOVED that you sent “Thinking of You” cards. That’s a lost art. So blessed to have you in my life, Clyde. <3