Avoiding Seeds of Strife

A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. (Proverbs 16:28)

A froward man means a man who is fraudulent and perverse. The froward are driven by a desire to sow chaos and strife among people. They are addicted to drama and separate close friends from one another. How? With their words and their actions. As a Spirit-filled believer, make it a point to discern who these individuals are and distance yourself from them.

Scripture tells us we will know a tree by the fruit that it bears. So how do you know what fruit a tree bears if the fruit isn’t yet ripe? You wait. You observe. You watch. There is a reason why the longer that people date, the lower the percentage of divorce is. They have had time to inspect the fruit and watch that person in many scenarios of life.

Appearances can deceive, and people can pretend to be something they are not for quite a while. That is why time needs to be a part of the equation in deciding if we should get close to individuals.

This is true for friends, but it is abundantly truer in romantic relationships. In most of the counseling that my wife and I have done for couples over the years, I firmly believe that at least half of the people we ministered to were married to the wrong person. They fell in love and didn’t use wisdom or discretion and ended up quickly getting into a relationship that made little sense with who they were or what they believed. Many times, problems happen in relationships because people make assumptions and projections about the other person. They don’t have solid information about how they handle situations by observing them. They got mesmerized by good looks, stopped using wisdom, and ended up ruining their life because they married a person who thrives on strife.

Practical Application

Take time to evaluate your acquaintances and see who your genuine friends are. Are they quick to talk about others and sow strife? Are they people who whisper to you about everyone else? They are probably talking about you, too. Do not allow people to be close to you who are also sowing strife and discord.

Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 6:14

The Price of Greed

He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. (Proverbs 15:27)

Many times, when we hear the word greedy, we automatically associate it with someone who is incredibly wealthy, having need of nothing, but refuses to share their wealth. However, greed has nothing to do with how much is in your bank account. There are many people with small bank balances who refuse to share what God has given them.

Some modern men are greedy because they invest their entire lives in the grind of non-stop work trying to get to the top, and their family never sees them. They think they’re doing it for their family, but their responsibility to their wife and children involves more than money. A man should provide for his family, but if all a man cares about is how much money he makes, he is being greedy. His family needs him present. Real provision is when you give your wisdom, your heart, your presence to those God placed in your family.

Material wealth can be a destructive force when it becomes the center of our focus and purpose. Greed is not merely about accumulating possessions; it is living with a mindset that prioritizes personal desires above all else. In fact, greedy literally means someone who is covetous for gain.

This verse in Proverbs is a call for us all to be present spiritually, emotionally, and physically, creating an environment where our family and relationships grow because we pursue and nurture the people in our lives more than we desire to gain material wealth.

Practical Application

How can you sow into the lives of those around you with time, effort, and purpose today? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you about ways that you can support, encourage, and uplift those He has placed in your life.

Exodus 23:8; Proverbs 1:19

Compassion in Action

He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. (Proverbs 14:31)

Oppression is a very serious word, especially when used in the Bible. It’s something that demonic forces do. People that are influenced by the enemy or the world’s system also use oppression to control, take advantage of, and manipulate others. Oppressors violate, purposely deceive, defraud, and act in violence toward the poor.

The writer of this Proverb tells us the person who uses their position or platform to oppress those who are less fortunate reproaches God. The word reproacheth in the Hebrew is charaph and means to defame, upbraid, defy, blaspheme, and upbraid.

It is dangerous for anyone to use their power, platform, or position to use and manipulate those who look to them for support and wisdom. God will repay every oppressive act used against the poor.

However, this verse not only talks about the negativity of oppression but also the blessings that come from mercy. For the person who has mercy toward the poor, God will show great honor. The word mercy in the Hebrew is chanan and it means to show favor, to bend or stoop in kindness, to have pitty upon. This describes someone who will help those who are less fortunate without judging them or requiring repayment.

God promises to bestow honor upon the person who acts mercifully.

Honor in the Hebrew is the word kabad and means to boast in and to make weighty. God wants to boast in His children and make their name great - especially when we are blessing, helping, and supporting the poor.

Practical Application

How can you help, pray for, and support the poor? Does your church have a benevolence fund that helps the poor? Ask the Holy Spirit how He wants you to support the poor and follow His lead.

Proverbs 17:5: Proverbs 22:2