"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
Sowing discord among brethren is counted along with murder...among other things.
What litmus test is there for us to take to determine if our words are under the "exhortation/rebuke," or the "discord," categories?
love?
God looks upon the heart.
What is the motive behind the conversation.
Even Paul warned against "certain" brethren, by name too.
Colossians 4:6
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Is it really only a matter of the heart? Or are there more quantifiable factors?
the quantifiable matters are matters of the heart, or should be anyhow.
for instance, what is the situation? who is involved?
What is the relationship with the person? - this one really stands out to me.
Will they hear what you are saying?
what do you think?
Here is what I am getting at, Galatians 2:11, "I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed."
What is the quantifiable love displayed in this verse?
Galatians 2:9
9And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
There was relationship, and at least at this time an ear to hear.
13And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
But Peter was leading others astray, so deserved to be rebuked. So much that even Barnabas was being led astray!
however, anyone that is leading others astray needs a rebuke from any where! not sure if relationship matters at this point. It just may not be heard, from an "outside" source.
however, Proverbs 27:6
6Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Better from a friend, than anyone else!
According to the first chapter, it appears that Paul points out how he had only spent a little while with Peter...fifteen days. This is a significant amount of time to develop a relationship, I think you are correct to point that out.
However I am probably being a bit vague in my questioning. So I will spill what I am thinking.
When Paul said, "To his face," I see an incredibly important difference between "discord," and "exhortation."
Discord is almost always performed under baited breath...with a rolled eye...behind a back, on a blog, at a home bible study...on a walk. Discord is...cowardly. It is FEAR! The word says that perfect love casts out fear. Paul had no fear because of his Love for God...his love for his brother. Love compelled him to speak to the face! Cowards, and discordant people speak against others behind backs. There is always something sneaky about it...something slithery.
Speaking to someones face is a quantifiable expression of Love, I was not really expecting your angle on relationship, and I think it has value, however love does not always operate out of relationship, it often does generate it though, the only reason I say that is because there may be times we have to stand up against those whom we didn't know from Adam. The psalmist often spoke of wanting Gods gaze to turn upon him. A poetic expression of the intimacy between locked eyes. It is interesting that the proverb I quoted to start this off with speaks about a proud look. A proud look is wicked in God's eyes. And I for certain do not want his gaze to lock vectors with mine as I proudly look at one who I would never confront to the face, but would quickly shed the blood of another man's reputation like a thief in the night.
Discord is almost always performed under baited breath...with a rolled eye...behind a back, on a blog, at a home bible study...on a walk. Discord is...cowardly. It is FEAR! The word says that perfect love casts out fear. Paul had no fear because of his Love for God...his love for his brother. Love compelled him to speak to the face! Cowards, and discordant people speak against others behind backs. There is always something sneaky about it...something slithery.
Amen.
Ez 3:20Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Warning the heathen is way easier. The fear of man gets in the way, way more when it's your own family! However, all the more reason to do it I suppose, because it is your family.
However, perhaps that is why relationship is so important, so that you are not thought of just another "self-righteous" brother or sister. I think its Zac Poonen that says for every 1 exhortation for the type that you are speaking, there should be at least 10 encouragements that you have already given the person. When Jesus reproved the churches in revelation, He first told them what that they were doing that He was pleased with, before He told them their downfalls.
When Paul said, "To his face," I see an incredibly important difference between "discord," and "exhortation."
Amen. ez 3:9
That Ezekiel quote was a good one.
Do you see a bit more what I mean by "quantifiable" now?
What are some other quantifiable differences between "Discord," and "Exhortation?" You were right to say it is attached to the heart as Jesus pointed out how all forms of wickedness come out of the heart. I suppose it also stands to reason that if we are indeed, in the New Covenant, and our hearts of stone have been replaced with hearts of flesh, God will often have to look on the heart, and sometimes the "goodness," or "badness," of a given instance may be difficult to discern from the outside, however The point being that love is action, not just sentiment. Are there any other "actions," that would determine the PH on the litmus test between the two?
In discord there's a spirit of competition, "I am better than you" attitude. Superiority if you will. Not a brother to brother scenario. It's contentious. pr 13:10 only by pride cometh contention.
Exhortation brings the peace of Christ, almost a relief perhaps maybe to Peter! I'm sure his heart was in discord already, because all the turmoil within of deciding between the gentiles and the Jews, instead of in Christ alone.
Exhortation is seasoned with salt. Discord has anger, bitterness, hurt(where a lot of christians stand!)
I'm enjoying this post. But until tomorrow. Be blessed.
That is so true, it reminded me of what Gerhard Du Tois said, "When my heart is broken before God, I have a deep desire to promote other believers. I have a sense of my own unworthiness. And I'm so thrilled that God would use me in any kind of a ministry or any kind of a fellowship. I'm always eager for others to get the credit. And when my heart is broken, I rejoice, when others are lifted up. And I never defend myself."
A competitive spirit is a total indication of an attitude that is going toward a discordant, sectarian, carnal, and schismatic state. A consistent pattern of self-promotion, is a greatly quantifiable measurement.
Keep em coming!
hi, youall are correct ...you both are better at sowing discord than me.jimp,mr.humble lol
we are causing discord jimp?
hi, no jimp but if your nervous about it and can not laugh?
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