What is Discord in the Bible?

What is Discord in the Bible?

In the Bible, discord refers to the act of sowing seeds of disagreement, strife, and division among people, often with the intention of causing harm and destruction. This concept is mentioned in various forms throughout the Scriptures, highlighting its destructive nature and the importance of maintaining harmony and unity among believers.

Direct Answer to the Question

To sow discord means to say and do things that cause distrust among people, leading to arguments, fights, and ultimately, division and destruction. This is often done in secret, through deceit, gossip, and manipulation, with the intention of causing chaos and harm.

Causes of Discord

The Bible identifies several causes of discord, including:

• Gossip: Ephesians 4:29 warns, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
• Pride: Proverbs 13:10 states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
• Fear: 1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
• Sin: Romans 14:23 emphasizes, "But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin."

Effects of Discord

The consequences of discord can be devastating, leading to:

• Division: Matthew 12:25 says, "If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand."
• Strife: 1 Corinthians 3:3 warns, "For you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and strife in your hearts, you are envious and you do not eat together, so that you may not eat together in order to avoid quarrels."
• Destruction: Proverbs 6:12-15 states, "A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a crooked mouth and a lying tongue, who leaves the righteous for the wicked and walks along the bad path, who darkens the light of the righteous and causes them to stumble, who says to the wicked, ‘Good people, you are not upright.’"

What Does God Want Us to Do?

In the face of discord, God wants us to:

• Forgive freely: Colossians 3:13 says, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
• Seek harmony: Romans 12:18 encourages, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
• Maintain unity: Ephesians 4:3 emphasizes, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Conclusion

Discord is a serious issue in the Bible, causing harm and destruction among people. To sow discord means to intentionally cause strife, division, and chaos, often through gossip, pride, fear, and sin. As believers, we must strive to maintain harmony and unity, forgiving freely and seeking peace with one another. By doing so, we can build up each other and glorify God.