"A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." (New International Version)
Proverbs 16:28
: pppp Wed Sep 30, 2026 - 07:48:38"A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." (New International Version)
Proverbs 16:28
How would you temper the beginning of that passage with Jesus who said "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword"?
I like this quote about tolerance by Macarthur who said...
"In a time like this of tolerance, listen, false teaching will always cry intolerance. It will always say you are being divisive, you are being unloving, you are being ungracious, because it can only survive when it doesn't get scrutinized. So it cries against any intolerance. It cries against any examination, any scrutiny—just let's embrace each other; let's love each other; let's put all that behind us. False doctrine cries the loudest about unity. Listen carefully when you hear the cry for unity, because it may be the cover of false doctrine encroaching. If ever we should follow 1 Thessalonians 5, and examine everything carefully, it's when somebody is crying unity, love, and acceptance." Macarthur
Sometimes telling people the truth, no matter how gentle we try to be, is taken as an offense. Like Paul stated "Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?"
Thank you Dave... for your reply.
"A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." (New International Version)
Proverbs 16:28
This verse shows that when an evil person stirs up conflict,
it is because of malice, jealousy & other negative emotions.
And an evil person's gossip is only meant to separate close friends.
Matthew 10:34 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword"
Whereas here Christ meant that when anyone or a group chooses the truth against shadows,
those who live in shadows & teach darkness stand against a person or a group whose hearts are filled with the light of God.
Anyone can profess that they are teaching people the truth,
but The Holy Bible clearly teaches about the fruit (actions)of every person.
Matthew 7:15-20
New King James Version
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 "Beware of false teachers, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Are the false teachers, teaching to spread the light of God or are they preaching for their own goals, personal interests or some hidden motives?
It is obvious by their fruit (actions).
But the true teacher can be judged by their fruit. Fruit of uniting believers,
spreading genuine compassion,
teaching others to share & care for each other,
teaching believers to be still, not becoming anxious or weary & know that Christ is carrying them,
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."" — Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
teaching them resilience even while going through harsh conditions.
The true teacher is filled with the power of The Holy Spirit,
enabling him to talk in courage,
preach boldly,
& not bend in front of the darkness.
At the same time The Holy Spirit also tells them when to be quiet or avoid an unhealthy conversation or a place.
Acts 16:6
Paul's Vision of the Man of Macedonia
6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.
Then there is unity.
Unity is important for all the Christian believers.
But unity doesn't mean that there will not be differences of opinions or viewpoints.
There will always be different viewpoints & opinions but they should not be backed by darkness,
rather they should be rooted in the truth & that is the light of God.
That is why our doctrine should be kept free from false interpretations, infusing worldly ideas or modern trends into it, or
purposely changing doctrine to suit a person's own views or biased behaviour.
And this unity in doctrine binds all believers together.
You have mentioned that false teaching will always cry about intolerance & talks about unity.
That is the teaching of false teachers,
who are misrepresenting the Word of God for their personal gains.
It is they who may give names to people who rightfully stand up for the truth.
But true unity means when all denominations,
come together, believing in the Doctrine which is The Word of God,
which is true.
And this unity in The Word of God in the past has enabled people of different denominations to come together & save believers, the Churches & Christianity.
And all those believers who speak or write honestly,
are judged by their honesty & purity of heart & soul,
& The Holy Spirit itself helps them to speak or write with courage.
Philippians 2:13,
"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him."
The honest person or people speak or write knowing that they do so for absolutely no personal gains & God blesses them to go ahead with His purpose.
Amen.