Sowing Discord; Casting Seeds of Strife

The Question:

What is discord and how do you sow it?

The Answer:

Discord is lack of harmony, or disagreement between people. Sowing is casting seeds, usually to plant something in a garden with the intent of producing a crop. Sowing discord is planting seeds of strife, disharmony, conflict, disagreement and rebellion among people for the intent of destruction of harmony and peace.

Why would someone do such a mean thing? Usually because of an offense, real or imagined, that they are nursing instead of forgiving. What is nursing an offense? Just like a baby on a bottle, or a child at his mother's breast, nursing gives nourishment to a tiny thing and makes it mature. An offense is a feeling of  resentful displeasure that comes about because of a real or imagined slight, rebuke, censure, rejection, or remark. Offenses that are not forgiven, and that are nursed and repeated over and over to anyone who has nothing better to do than listen to junk, become a root of bitterness that defiles. When that root grows, matures, and seeds, it produces thousands of seeds of discord, that the offended person then sows into other people's hearts, producing another crop of offense and rebellion.

Why would someone take up an offense on behalf of another person, instead of   encouraging them to forgive and acting as a peacemaker? Disobedience to the Word of God, which says "Blessed are the peacemakers, for THEY will be called
the Sons of God." (Matthew 5:9).

What is forgiveness? Is it repeating the offense to all who will hear it, and encouraging them to also show hate to the alledged offender, who hasn't even been tried for it in a court of law? Is it saying ugly things about them, and rejoicing when others do the same? Is it trying to destroy their reputation and ministry?

Or is it cancelling the debt of the offense, letting it go, and blessing and praying for the one who has hurt you? Is it deliberately forgetting the harm you believe you have suffered and not bringing up again to anyone? Which way did Jesus forgive?

What is a leader's responsibility towards sowers of discord? Are they to be left alone to do their evil work and destroy God's work? How does the Bible say to deal with them? Note that these verses are written to those with the heavy responsibility of leadership.

Titus 3:10-11 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

1 Corinthians 5:11-13 But I am now writing you not to even speak to anyone who bears the name of a brother who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idoater, reviler or drunkard. Do not even eat with such a person. ... Are you not to judge
those inside? ... Drive out the wicked person from among you.

Romans 16:17-18 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

So you have a choice, my brothers and sisters in Christ, to walk in love, forgiveness and obedience to the Word, OR join with the sowers of discord who are not serving our Lord Christ but their own appetites, and who are deceiving YOU by smooth talk and flattery and reveal YOU to be naïve and unschooled in righteousness.

More Information about the Body of Christ and how it functions here: Body Wisdom

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