As long as we live, we have to protect our heart against offenses. Unfair things happen, and people let us down and say things that hurt our feelings. These offenses try to take up residency in our heart, and if they do, they produce resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness. Proverbs 17:9 says, “He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love.” You have to cover that offense. You have to forgive. It doesn’t belong to you. It is only yours to forgive and to cover.
We all have people who try to rile us up. They complain about the workplace, exaggerate problems, and spread gossip. They are troublemakers. If you allow them to draw you in, before long you'll be upset, focused on what's wrong, bitter over what you're not getting. The Scripture says God hates it when someone "sows discord" (Proverbs 6:19)—someone who's always stirring up trouble, trying to incite you to unrest. You can be perfectly happy and have a great job, but they start planting seeds of discontentment: "They don't treat you right. You should be paid more. They're taking advantage of you." Discord sowers are not interested in your well-being; they just want to stir you up. Don't let them poison your spirit. Don't let that discord get in you.
This is why the apostle Paul uses such strong language when he says, "I urge you to watch out for those who cause division. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites" (Romans 16:17–18). He was saying, "I beg you, I implore you, I challenge you." He knew that discord would keep us from becoming who we were created to be.
Be careful who you take advice from. Be careful who you're letting influence you. Are they healthy and productive? Do they have good judgment and clear vision? Or are they discontent, bitter, living from a place of offense. People who sow discord have personal issues that they're not dealing with. Because they're jealous of others, they talk about others' behind their back. Perhaps they went through unfair things and were hurt, and they haven't forgiven others. They see everything from a bitter perspective. Or they have regrets and are mad at themselves. Because they're not happy, they don't want you to be happy, so they stir up the negative. Before you get all riled up about something, consider the source.
Healthy people don't go around stirring up trouble. Secure people don't bad-mouth others. They celebrate other people's success and are happy for those who are ahead of them. Grateful people don't find fault and focus on what's wrong. If someone is constantly disgruntled, jealous, and divisive, recognize that they are not for you. Don't let them poison your spirit. Don't listen to their gossip. Don't let them tell you how you're not being treated right, or how someone else would be so much better for you than your spouse. They are not healthy enough to give you good advice. Be kind, be respectful, but don't hang around them. Disconnect from discord.
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