Stirs Up Dissension

Proverbs 16:27-29 A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends. A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

Ferguson, Missouri is at the forefront of the news in our modern world. A young man robbed a store, attacked an officer of the law, and was shot and killed. The drumbeat of many media outlets before the grand jury was in support of charging the officer with murder. The race relations of the area were thrust into the forefront. And those who make a living off of perpetuating dissension were on display. In all this, local clergy sought to speak peace, but their voices were drowned out by the cacophony of hate and dissension spewed by those who know better, but chose to agitate. Even after the evidence was presented, there are those who choose to pursue rioting instead of engaging in a dialogue to heal and progress. Forgotten are the words of Jesus captured in Matthew 5:43-45 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."

There is a price to be paid for pursuing the path of wickedness and evil. Occasionally our world graphically puts this on display. Haunting are the words of Ezekiel 3:18 When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. As Christians we all mourn the loss of any human life. That life which is held so precious by God our Father should not be carelessly cast aside in pursuit of anything but love for your fellow man. If you want clarification on this principle, you only need to turn to the word of Christ in John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

We do not hear much about the truth today. We do not hear much about remorse or showing contrition for perpetuating a lie from media outlets. We do not hear much about holding the media accountable either. For that, we all need to take heed of the warning in Ezekiel 3:18. We all have a responsibility friends. Proverbs 16:27-29 points to the sin, and Ezekiel 3:18 gives those who chose to sin, and those who chose to stand silent in the face of that sin a clear warning. No one is without guilt and no one is without sin. Hold each other accountable. And when we hold each other accountable, we do so in love and not with malice. We model the behavior described in Ephesians 4:14-15. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

The situation in Ferguson is not isolated to just that city. Our nation and our world is broken and needs the love of God to heal that brokenness. In closing, keep the words of 1 Timothy 2:1-6 close to your heart today and in the future.  I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.

PRAYER: Father, we need You now more than ever. Our world is broken by sin. Hate our neighbor is shouted from the roof tops instead of love you neighbor. We need less of us and more of Your Son Jesus. Help us, as only You can help us to bring the message of peace and love to this world. This we ask in the name of the Prince of Peace, Your Son and our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.