Proverbs 16:28

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about conflict:

Proverbs 16:28 (NASBStr)

A perverse man spreads strife,

And a slanderer separates intimate friends.

Proverbs 16:28 (NIV1984)

A perverse man stirs up dissension,

and a gossip separates close friends.

Proverbs 16:28 (ESV Strong's)

28 A dishonest man spreads strife,

and a whisperer separates close friends.

It is not hard to find out who in our society is righteous and who is perverse.   In the above proverb we see one of Solomon's litmus tests for perversity.  The perverse man (one who lives by flesh and sight and not by faith) loves conflict and even expands conflict.   They are not content to simply spread conflict, however, with anyone.  They want to bring the conflict into the realm of close friends.   Perverse people measure their success by how much conflict they can disperse and havoc they can reek. They use the simply strategy of "gossip" as their tool for destruction.   Gossip becomes the voice box of the perverse person.  They don't just want to reject God themselves, they want others to reject Him too.   That is the point of their conflict.  They know that if they can cause conflict, people in conflict are not in the place to receive grace.  If you won't give grace (through forgiveness) you won't be able to receive grace (by forgiveness).   Conflict keeps peace away.  The Gospel is peace working in our lives.   The enemy of the Gospel is conflict.   The sower of the seeds of conflict is the perverse person.  When we are not sowing peace we are adding to conflict.