The Bible speaks against causing trouble, encouraging us to live peacefully with others. Today, we’ll explore what God’s Word says about being peacemakers in a divided world.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Causing Another To Stumble
What Does The Bible Say About Causing Trouble
Proverbs 6:14
“Who plots evil with deceit in his heart; he always stirs up conflict.”
This verse emphasizes the intentionality behind causing trouble. The individual described here actively plans and schemes to create conflict and bring harm to others.
Causing trouble is not just an accidental or spontaneous act, but a deliberate choice that stems from a heart filled with deceit and selfish motives.
Proverbs 16:28
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
This verse highlights the role of gossip in causing trouble. Spreading rumors and sharing negative information about others can create division and destroy friendships.
By engaging in gossip, individuals contribute to the breakdown of unity and harmony, often leading to conflict and trouble.
Proverbs 22:10
“Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.”
Here, the verse emphasizes the impact of removing those who mock and stir up trouble. By eliminating the presence of a troublemaker, strife, quarrels, and insults can be brought to an end.
Removing individuals who spread negativity and thrive on causing conflicts can help restore peace and harmony within relationships and communities.
Proverbs 26:21
“As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.”
This verse compares the role of a quarrelsome person in starting and fueling conflicts to the relationship between charcoal and fire.
Just as charcoal ignites and sustains a fire, individuals who are always seeking arguments and disagreements have the power to kindle strife and create an atmosphere of tension and turmoil.
Proverbs 29:22
“An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.”
Here, the verse emphasizes the destructive nature of anger and hot temper in relationships and interactions with others.
An individual who fails to control their anger is more likely to engage in actions and behaviors that cause trouble and lead to a multitude of sins.
Romans 16:17-18
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people.”
This passage instructs believers to be discerning and cautious of those who seek to cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the teachings of Christ.
Such individuals serve their own selfish desires and manipulate others through deceptive tactics, leading to trouble and confusion.
1 Timothy 6:3-4
“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions.”
Here, the verse exposes the dangers of those who deviate from sound teachings and become absorbed in pointless controversies and quarrels.
These individuals lack true understanding and instead foster envy, strife, malicious talk, and evil suspicions, causing trouble within the community of believers.
James 3:14
“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.”
This verse warns against the presence of bitter envy and selfish ambition in the hearts of individuals. Such negative emotions and desires can lead to trouble and disrupt relationships.
Instead of boasting about these destructive attitudes, acknowledging and addressing them becomes essential for maintaining peace and harmony.
James 4:1-2
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.”
This passage explores the root causes of conflicts and quarrels within the community of believers.
Our inner desires that are not aligned with God’s will can manifest as jealousy, covetousness, and a lack of contentment, ultimately leading to trouble and discord.
Proverbs 15:18
“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.”
This verse highlights the contrasting impacts of a hot-tempered person and a patient individual in the midst of conflicts and quarrels.
A hot-tempered individual exacerbates tension and provokes trouble, whereas someone who remains patient helps to calm and diffuse the situation.
Proverbs 17:14
“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.”
This verse draws a parallel between starting a quarrel and breaching a dam. Just as breaking a dam results in flooding, initiating a quarrel leads to an outpouring of trouble and conflict.
To avoid the escalation of disputes, it is advisable to let go of the matter before it transforms into a full-blown dispute.
Proverbs 13:10
“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
This verse connects strife with pride, highlighting the role of arrogance in causing trouble.
On the other hand, wisdom is displayed by those who humbly seek and accept advice, fostering an environment of understanding and helping to prevent conflicts.
Proverbs 18:6
“The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.”
Here, the verse highlights the consequences of foolish and careless speech.
Engaging in contentious and divisive talk invites trouble and conflict, often resulting in negative consequences for the one who speaks without wisdom.
Proverbs 28:25
“The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper.”
This verse contrasts the actions of the greedy with those who place their trust in the Lord.
Greediness and selfishness can lead to trouble and discord, while trusting in the Lord brings blessings and prosperity.
Proverbs 20:3
“It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.”
This verse praises the wisdom and honor in avoiding strife and conflicts.
In contrast, a foolish individual is characterized by their hastiness to engage in quarrels and disputes, causing unnecessary trouble for themselves and others.
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
This verse emphasizes the impact of our words in diffusing or inflaming conflicts.
Responding gently and with kindness can defuse anger and prevent trouble, while responding harshly or aggressively escalates the situation.
Proverbs 12:18
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
This verse underscores the destructive power of reckless words.
Thoughtless and hurtful speech can inflict harm and trouble, while wise and carefully chosen words promote healing and reconciliation.
Proverbs 14:29
“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”
This verse contrasts the virtue of patience with the folly of quick-temperedness.
Patience fosters understanding and prevents trouble, while being quick-tempered leads to hasty actions and unnecessary conflicts.
Proverbs 29:8
“Mockers stir up a city, but the wise turn away anger.”
This verse highlights the role of mockers in stirring up trouble and creating unrest within a community.
Wisdom, however, helps to de-escalate anger and prevent conflicts, leading to peace and harmony.
Ephesians 4:31
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
This verse encourages believers to remove destructive attitudes and behaviors from their lives.
Bitterness, anger, and slander contribute to trouble and disputes, and thus need to be replaced with love, kindness, and forgiveness.
Galatians 5:15
“If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
This verse warns against the destructive consequences of engaging in quarrels and conflicts with one another.
Constantly fighting and tearing each other down leads to destruction and further trouble within the community.
Titus 3:9
“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.”
Here, the verse advises believers to steer clear of pointless and divisive debates.
These controversies and arguments only serve to bring trouble and yield no positive outcomes, thus they should be avoided.
1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
This verse instructs believers not to retaliate and cause trouble by repaying evil with evil or insults.
Instead, they are called to bless and show kindness, understanding that in doing so, they will inherit their own blessings.