Sometimes, as we read the Bible, we come across things we are not sure how to interpret. Today’s passage includes one of those situations. We see the reference to six things, then seven. What is that supposed to mean? What do we do with that? This was a literary device used by Old Testament writers. To interpret properly, we must apply the first six under the primary seventh item.

How does this work? We must read it as haughty eyes or staring down one another creates discord in a family. Creating and telling lies creates discord in a family. Out of control anger creates discord in a family. Conniving against one another creates discord in a family. Actively seeking to do wrong creates discord in a family. Testifying falsely creates discord in a family.

God hates discord of all kinds. We were created by God to interact with one another and work together in harmony, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in harmony as one God. It is because of the discord he created that Satan was cast away from God. It is in harmony that we can achieve the potential God has put in all of us. It is in harmony that we find love, joy, peace, and the abundant life.

Unfortunately, we see far too much discord in our world today. We don’t have to look long and hard to see it. We see it in families, workplaces, and government. We see people fighting over the last cupcake, even though everyone had two already. We see arguments among leaders that create wars. In the end, the discord is created out of selfishness. It starts with someone wanting what someone else has, rather than being satisfied with what God has blessed them with.

The only way to combat discord is to turn back to God. We must seek him with our whole heart. When Satan attempts to plant discord in any of the ways listed in today’s passage or any other of numerous ways, we must tell Satan to get away from us and pursue God instead. It is in recognizing that any type of discord is created by Satan that we can actively combat it.

Before anyone asks, no, this does not mean we can never disagree. But in our disagreement, we must not create discord. We must not allow the fact we disagree to cause us to take the next step of undermining the other person or seeking revenge. Sometimes, we simply need to agree to disagree and continue to be in harmony where we can. Stop generating discord. Seek to be in harmony with one another as God is in harmony with himself.

Proverbs 6:16-19: There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that hurry to run to evil, a lying witness who testifies falsely, and one who sows discord in a family.