A detestable sin: Making trouble in God’s house

  • By Shelly Webb
  • January 21, 2010
  • 785
                        
According to the book of Proverbs, there is a list containing six specific things that God hates and a seventh thing on the list is defined as an abomination. Other translations use the word detestable in describing that seventh sin. The author of Proverbs takes the time to make certain that the reader will fully understand this seventh thing is even worse in God’s eyes than the first six things. The first six sins mentioned all impact the moral compass of our society—those things include: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief and a false witness that speaks lies. The list pretty much covers the actions that most cultures see as negative behavior—pride, lying, murder, wicked plots, getting into trouble and false accusations against others. Oddly enough the seventh thing listed and the one considered detestable by God doesn’t get as much attention in today’s society. “Even though the sin of sowing discord among the brethren doesn’t get a lot of attention, it is a very, very important subject,” shared Pastor Tom Nye, of First Baptist Church of Berlin. “Sowing discord among the brethren in today’s term would be causing trouble or stirring up problems in church among your brothers and sisters in the Lord.” Nye said that the passage shouldn’t be misinterpreted. There is never a reason to accept everything that is preached or happens in a church. “If things don’t line up with the truth they should be questioned, but if something happens that’s just a matter of not getting your own way or not agreeing with something, then you shouldn’t cause big problems with God’s people and in His house,” he said. Many churches have lost pastors and even had to close their doors due to inner conflicts and disagreements. “There have been many cases where pastors have been forced to leave churches over very petty issues,” Nye said. “There have also been instances where churches have split over such things as the color of the carpet or style of worship.” The pastors that have served at First Baptist of Berlin over the years have been very blessed. In the past 75 plus years the church has only had seven different ministers. Nye said the congregation is loving and loyal and he’s blessed to be their pastor now. “The original founder of the church was there for five years getting things started. The first official pastor remained for 45 years,” Nye said. “After that the next pastor was there for 13 years, the next stayed for seven years, the next two were only there less than two years each and I have been here for about five years now. It is difficult sometimes when a new pastor comes to a church. There is a loyalty among people and it’s hard sometimes to transfer that loyalty to someone else, especially if you’ve had the same pastor for many, many decades.” When problems occur in church, as they will because churches are made up of imperfect human beings, Nye suggested following the Bible in resolving the issues. “Even the disciples of Christ disagreed from time to time,” Nye said. “People are human, even people that deeply love the Lord. There are going to be disagreements and transgressions, that’s why Matthew 18 addresses the course of action to take when offenses arise.” The verses Nye refers to are found in Matthew 18:15-17 and calls for the person that has been offended to go to the one that has made the accusation and talk it out. If the situation isn’t resolved he is to take one or two witnesses with him and try again and if the person still won’t hear him the matter is to come before the church. Church discipline doesn’t happen very often in today’s age, however, the instructions haven’t changed. Nye believes it’s much better to follow the specific instructions than to stir up trouble within the church over disagreements. “Staying humble is an important aspect to keeping peace in God’s house,” Nye added. “We are reminded in Philippians 2 to have the mind of Christ and to esteem others better than ourselves. I think every church needs to have strong leadership and strong pastor support to keep things in harmony. It’s important to get along as Christians because it sets a witness in the community. There’s an attitude among the world that churches are full of hypocrites and we have to work hard to show that this isn’t the case.” First Baptist Church of Berlin celebrated its 75th anniversary a few months ago and is thankful for the harmony, love and respect the church has enjoyed all these years. The church is the only Baptist church in Berlin and maintains strong support in, and of, their community.


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