I’m going to identify a number of common ways in which sowing seeds of discord (dissension) happens sisters and brothers in Christ. “There are six things the LORD hates – no, seven things he detests . . . a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” ~ Proverbs 6:16, 19
The first is rather subtle, so it broadsides many Christians when it takes place. This is how it works. One of your friends, a Christian, perhaps even a member of your fellowship, says the following to you:
“You know, Jimmy doesn’t like you . . . I’m telling you this because I’m your friend.”
Or they may say something like:
“I probably shouldn’t say this, but I think you should know that Twila said such and such about you.”
Immediately, your defenses go up. You feel insulted. Hurt. You suddenly look at Jimmy and Twila, whom you’ve regarded as trusted friends, in a completely different light.
Your friend was doing you a favor by telling you these things, right? Think again.
The problem is that in most cases where I’ve seen this play out, the person reporting on Jimmy’s feelings or Twila’s words isn’t telling you the truth. Sometimes they are spinning. Other times they are flat-out lying. The motive? It’s usually because they don’t like Jimmy or Twila and they want you to dislike them too.
Or maybe your friend is buddies with Jimmy or Twila and they are jealous that you are close to them also. So they want to sabotage the relationship.
