Causing conflict and stirring up trouble is discouraged in the Bible. Scripture frequently calls for peace, unity, and love, and warns against actions that lead to division and strife. Let’s see what the Bible says about those who intentionally cause discord.
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What Does The Bible Say About Stirring Up Strife
Proverbs 6:14
“With perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord.”
This verse warns against those who intentionally create conflict and stir up strife. Their actions stem from a wicked and deceitful heart, and their constant efforts are aimed at causing division and dissension among people.
Proverbs 16:28
“A perverse person spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”
This verse highlights the destructive nature of those who spread strife. They use their words to sow discord and create rifts between friends, causing separation and pain in relationships.
Proverbs 22:10
“Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of removing scoffers from our midst. By doing so, we can eliminate the source of strife and put an end to quarreling and verbal abuse.
Proverbs 26:21
“As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.”
This verse draws a parallel between a quarrelsome person and the fuel for a fire. Just as charcoal and wood ignite and fuel a fire, a quarrelsome person ignites and fuels strife, causing it to spread rapidly.
James 4:1
“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”
This verse points out that the root cause of strife and conflict lies within our own hearts. When our passions and desires are not aligned with godly principles, it leads to quarrels and fights among us.
Proverbs 26:17
“Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.”
This verse cautions against getting involved in someone else’s dispute. Just as grabbing a dog by the ears is dangerous and foolish, meddling in another’s quarrel can lead to unnecessary strife and harm.
Proverbs 20:3
“It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.”
This verse highlights the value of avoiding strife. It is seen as honorable to distance oneself from conflict, while those who foolishly engage in constant quarrels are deemed as lacking wisdom.
Proverbs 29:22
“A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.”
This verse emphasizes the destructive consequences of anger and wrath. Someone who is prone to anger not only stirs up strife but also leads others into sin through their temperamental behavior.
Proverbs 17:14
“The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.”
This verse encourages us to take preventive measures against strife. Just as it becomes increasingly difficult to stop a flowing stream of water once it has started, it is wise to avoid fueling a quarrel before it escalates.
Proverbs 15:18
“A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.”
This verse emphasizes the role of anger in generating strife. Those who are quick-tempered and easily angered tend to escalate conflicts, while individuals who exercise patience and self-control can help calm contentious situations.
Proverbs 17:19
“Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction.”
This verse reveals a correlation between a love for transgression and a love for strife. Those who embrace sin and seek after it are more likely to engage in conflicts that lead to destruction.
2 Timothy 2:23
“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.”
This verse advises believers to avoid becoming entangled in foolish and ignorant disputes. Such controversies tend to give rise to quarrels and conflicts, so it is wise to distance oneself from them.
Romans 14:19
“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”
This verse encourages believers to prioritize peace and edification in their interactions. Instead of engaging in strife, our focus should be on pursuing peace and building one another up.
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of selflessness and humility in avoiding strife. By considering others as more significant and prioritizing their needs above our own, we can prevent unnecessary conflicts.
Galatians 5:15
“But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”
This verse warns against the destructive nature of harsh words and harmful actions towards one another. Engaging in such behavior can lead to a cycle of inflicting harm and being harmed.
1 Timothy 6:4
“He is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions.”
This verse describes the mindset of someone who seeks out controversy and quarrels. Their conceited nature leads them to engage in meaningless disputes, which only serve to produce negative outcomes such as envy, dissension, and slander.
Proverbs 13:10
“By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.”
This verse highlights the connection between insolence and strife. When we refuse to consider advice and wisdom, and instead act with arrogance, we create an environment prone to conflict and discord.
Proverbs 17:1
“Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.”
This verse emphasizes the value of peace over material abundance. It is better to have little and live in tranquility than to have abundance tainted by constant strife and conflict.
Proverbs 28:25
“A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.”
This verse contrasts the actions of a greedy individual and one who puts their trust in the Lord. While the greedy person incites strife, those who trust in the Lord experience spiritual enrichment and contentment.
Proverbs 29:9
“If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.”
This verse illustrates the fruitlessness of entering into disputes with fools. Instead of achieving resolution and peace, engaging with a fool only leads to anger and mockery, devoid of any harmony.
Ephesians 4:31
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”
This verse instructs believers to rid themselves of negative emotions and actions that promote strife. Bitterness, wrath, anger, slander, and malice have no place among those who seek unity and peace.
Proverbs 18:6
“A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.”
This verse portrays the destructive consequences of foolish speech. A fool’s words often lead to confrontations and physical harm, as their mouth becomes an invitation for violence.
1 Corinthians 3:3
“For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?”
This verse points out that jealousy and strife are signs of a fleshly mindset. By indulging in such behaviors, believers fail to live according to the Spirit and instead operate in a manner aligned with worldly patterns.
James 3:16
“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
This verse highlights the correlation between jealousy, selfish ambition, disorder, and sinful behavior. When these negative qualities prevail, strife and wickedness permeate every aspect of life.
Proverbs 28:4
“Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.”
This verse highlights the conflict that arises when those who adhere to God’s law confront and oppose the wicked. The clash between righteousness and wickedness can lead to strife and contention.
James 4:2
“You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.”
This verse unveils the underlying motives that lead to strife. Greed, covetousness, and a failure to seek God’s provision through prayer often drive individuals to engage in fights and quarrels.
Strife is a source of discord, division, and conflict among individuals. It arises from various causes, such as envy, selfishness, anger, and a wicked heart. The Bible contains numerous verses that caution against stirring up strife and encourage believers to pursue peace and unity instead.
Proverbs, in particular, offers practical wisdom on dealing with strife. It warns against involving oneself in quarrels that do not concern them and urges individuals to distance themselves from foolhardy disputes. Additionally, the book emphasizes the destructive power of a hot temper and advises against allowing anger to fuel strife.
Other passages reinforce the importance of humility, selflessness, and wisdom in preventing strife. Believers are urged to count others as more significant, pursue peace, and avoid greedy and selfish behavior that can lead to conflicts. The book of James also addresses the root causes of strife, such as jealousy, selfish ambition, and desires that are not aligned with God’s will.
Ultimately, the Bible presents a clear message that believers should actively seek to avoid and resolve conflicts in a manner that promotes peace, unity, and edification. Through self-control, wisdom, and a reliance on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can navigate relationships and circumstances in a way that minimizes strife and fosters harmony.