The Great Cacophony!

Has anyone ever told you that a certain church service was really good, but when you asked them what it was about, they said, “I can’t remember but that it was really great?”

At the Bible school we attended, each month a different ministry held a week of services twice a day. After a full week of meetings, there should have been something good to remember!

Indelibly imprinted on my mind is the week that Kenneth Copeland was the guest speaker! He was an excellent instructor of the Word, and his teachings were powerful and deep. All week he ministered from Proverbs 16 about seven things that God hates.

Lying was one of these. In fact, I retained that concept quite well from my childhood days! It was something for which I received more than one beating! Additionally, when my mother thought I was getting too big for my britches, she always quoted, “Pride goes before a fall.”

However, neither of those two sins were what stirred my memory the most about that week’s sessions. What caught my attention was the fact that God hates; strife, conflict, friction, argument, dissension and discord.

Rev. Copeland related the truth of this by urging us, as soon-to-be leaders in the body of Christ, to understand that we could not afford to allow strife and conflict of any kind to remain in our church or organization.

He went on to illustrate with examples from his own ministry. Whenever someone on his staff stirred up strife and discord, Rev. Copeland would call that individual into his office, give them their walking papers, and then help them find a job somewhere else.

You might say that sounds a bit harsh and perhaps he should have given them a warning with a second chance. No, his organization speaks for itself and is still prospering.

Discord among the brethren, in his opinion, was the worst sin that could be allowed to remain in a Christian assembly. He emphasized that discord will split and destroy a church. It will also affect schools, businesses, or other organizations in the same way.

(Can you imagine an orchestra where some played however and whatever they wanted? Instead of a beautiful symphony, there would be an irritating cacophony!)

When it comes to families, an exception is advisable. Seek peace and Godly council to assist in coming to reconciliation. Too many families have been split and divided because of hard-headedness of one or both parties. I would urge that the one who considers himself or herself, to be the most spiritual, to stand down, and make peace.

Proverbs 6:16 - 19 These six things that the LORD does hate: yes, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren.