Midweek Devotional for Wednesday, July 29, 2026: Proverbs 6:16–19

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

“There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.” (Prov. 6:16–19)

This passage gives us one of the strongest descriptions in Proverbs of the things that are especially offensive to God. The expression, “six things…yes, seven,” is a Hebrew literary pattern that builds emphasis and prepares the reader for the climax of the list.

Each sin named is serious, but the final item receives special attention: “one who spreads strife among brothers.” The list moves from pride in the eyes, to falsehood on the tongue, violence with the hands, corruption in the heart, eagerness in the feet, and finally to the destructive influence of a person who deliberately divides others.

The phrase “spreads strife” describes more than someone who becomes involved in an ordinary disagreement. It refers to a person who actively plants, promotes, or perpetuates conflict. Such a person may do this through gossip, insinuation, exaggeration, private accusations, selective retelling of events, or by encouraging suspicion between people who otherwise might live in peace.

Note that the imagery is agricultural: discord is treated like seed. A word is planted here, a suspicion there, and eventually division grows where fellowship once existed.

I think this passage is especially timely because, although all seven sins are serious, Solomon deliberately ends with the one that often does the greatest damage within families, churches, and Christian communities. That final position in the list is intended to leave the strongest impression.

The seriousness of this sin is heightened by the words “among brothers.” The reference is to those who share a bond of faith. God places great value upon the unity of His people. To attack that unity is therefore to oppose something God loves. The sower of discord does not merely damage relationships; he works against the peace, fellowship, and mutual love that ought to characterize the people of God.

This does not mean that Christians must ignore error, conceal sin, or refuse to address genuine problems. Scripture commands us to speak the truth, confront sin, and defend sound doctrine. The difference lies in the motive and the manner.

Faithful correction seeks repentance, restoration, and peace. The sower of discord seeks influence, vindication, excitement, or division. One speaks because love requires it; the other speaks because conflict serves a personal purpose.

The New Testament repeatedly warns against this destructive spirit. Paul urges believers to be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:3) He also warns the Roman church to watch for those who create dissensions contrary to sound teaching. (Rom. 16:17)

Moreover, James teaches that heavenly wisdom is “peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits.” (James 3:17) Wherever godly wisdom is present, there will be a desire to nurture rather than aggravate, to reconcile rather than divide, and to speak in ways that promote truth and peace.

This passage therefore calls us to examine not only the truthfulness of our words, but also their effect. Do your words clarify or confuse? Do they reconcile or alienate? Do they encourage charity or suspicion? Are you speaking to solve a problem, or merely speaking about it? Before repeating a matter, you should ask whether your words are necessary, truthful, loving, and likely to produce peace.

Christ provides the perfect contrast to the sower of discord. He came not to scatter His people, but to gather them. Through His death, He reconciles sinners to God and to one another. He creates one body from those who were once separated and hostile. Those who belong to Christ should therefore resist every temptation to divide His people unnecessarily and should instead become peacemakers.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matt. 5:9)

The warning of Proverbs 6 is sobering: God hates the deliberate spreading of conflict among His people. But the positive command is equally clear. Rather than sowing discord, believers are called to sow peace, truth, patience, and reconciliation. Our words should strengthen the fellowship of the Church and reflect the reconciling grace of Jesus Christ.