The Things a Loving God Hates: "One Who Spreads Strife Among Brothers"

The Things a Loving God Hates Introduction:

1 John 4:7–8 (NASB)

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and...

8 ... God is love.

John 3:16 (NASB)

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Romans 5:8 (NASB)

8 ...God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Psalm 45:7 (ESV)

7 ...you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness...

Psalm 97:10 (ESV)

10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil! ...

Amos 5:15 (NASB)

15 Hate evil, love good...

God is love but God hates sin. He hates all sin. But there are some sins He hates even more than others.

Proverbs 6:16–19 (NASB)

16 There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, 19 A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.

Haughty eyes (Arrogance / Pride)

A lying tongue (Lies)

Hands that shed innocent blood (Murder / Abortion)

A heart that devises wicked plans (Intentional / Unintentional)

Feet that run rapidly to evil (Rejoicing in evil / pleasure in sin)

A false witness who utters lies (False teachers)

One who spreads strife among brothers

The question is, why?

Why does God hates these particular sins so much?

We are going to examine each one of the seven things listed in Proverbs 6:17-19 and define exactly what they are and discover why God hates them so much.

If we claim to love God, we are going to hate these same things too and desire repentance and rescue from the things our loving God hates.

That means that we are going to hate these things in our own lives FIRST and hate the pain and suffering they cause us and those we love.

It also means we are going to hate what God hates in in our world and desire to respond to it the way God wants us to according to His word.

So far we have covered haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood and a heart that devises wicked plans. Today we are going to investigate...

"One Who Spreads Strife Among Brothers”

Strife = Division, Discord, Dissension & Disunity.

It is often caused by bitterness or resentment toward someone because of a wrong done or a perceived wrong. Jealousy can also be a cause of strife.

1 Corinthians 3:3 (NASB)

3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

Jude 17–19 (NASB)

17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.

Revelation 12:10 (NASB)

10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.

Division is a great burden. Unity is a great blessing.

Psalm 133:1–3 (NASB)

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forever.

God desires unity:

John 17:22–23 (NASB)

22 “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

John 17:20–21 (NASB)

20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Matthew 23:37 (NASB)

37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.

Psalm 133:1 (NASB)

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!

Matthew 12:25 (NASB)

25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.

God defines unity:

John 17:21, 22–23 (NASB)

21 “ ...that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You...”

22 “... just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me...

Luke 12:51–53 (NASB)

51 “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; 52 for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53 “They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

John 14:6 (NASB)

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

2 Corinthians 6:14–15 (NASB)

14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

Galatians 3:28 (NASB)

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:2 (ESV)

2 ...being of the same mind...

Romans 12:16 (NASB)

16 Be of the same mind toward one another....

Colossians 3:11–14 (NASB)

11 ...there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

God demands unity:

John 17:1–2 (NASB)

1 Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, 2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.

Ephesians 4:1–3 (NASB)

1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NASB)

10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Ephesians 4:30–32 (NASB)

30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Colossians 3:12–13 (NASB)

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Matthew 6:14–15 (NASB)

14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

1 Peter 3:8 (NASB)

8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;

Romans 16:17 (ESV)

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Titus 3:9–11 (ESV)

9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Memory Verse of the Week:

Psalm 133:1 (NASB)

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!

Bible Study Questions:

What does this Scripture teach us about God?

What does this Scripture teach us about man?

Do you see any commands to obey or principles to apply?

Do you see any promises to claim or blessings to enjoy?

Do you see any truths to meditate on or Gospel messages to share?

Did anything else in the passage stick out to you?