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Last week we examined the beauty of true unity when it is evident among brethren. We closed with an illustration from 1 Corinthians 12, wherein the apostle Paul likens the local church to the human body. Some parts of the body are considered unseemly, that is, they are not readily noticeable or appreciated. Paul is careful to note that these parts are just as important as those prominent ones. In 1 Samuel 30, when David and his men went out to battle, some of his men stayed behind and protected the belongings. When David returned with the spoils of the Amalekites, those who went into battle did not want to share with those who had stayed behind. David sharply rebuked those "sons of Belial" saying, "but as his part is that goeth into battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the supplies; they shall share alike. So it was, from that day forward; he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day" (vv 24-25). Our attitude toward one another should be one of love and consideration, not one of envy and selfishness.

In Ephesians 4, Paul again uses the illustration of the human body with reference to the edification of the local body. In verse 13, Paul emphasizes the need for unity concerning the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God. As a local body, we can never be truly effective in the task before us if we are not united in matters of the faith. In verse 14, Paul emphasizes the need for maturity among the brethren in matters of faith and practice. We must not be like children. Paul said we need to "grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ" (v 15). We need to be mature in dealing with scripture and one another. Finally, in verse 16, Paul said the whole body was to be "joined and knit together", and that the body would grow when "every part does its share".

Sadly, such is not the case among all brethren. Like immature children who drive their parents crazy with their constant bickering and complaining, some brethren continually stir up controversy in the local body. They are always tearing down the eldership, the preacher, some brother or sister, or some program of work. As opposed to being joined and knit together, they are dividers and "unravellers". Give heed to God's view of congregational troublemakers: "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that diviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren" (Proverbs 6:16-19). Those who cause disunity in the local body are an abomination in God's eyes!

One of the chief ways of sowing discord in the local body is through gossip. The Bible has much to say of gossip and talebearers (gossipers), but none of it is flattering:

Proverbs 18:8 -- "The words of a talebearer are as wounds…"

Proverbs 26:20 -- "Without wood a fire goes out, without gossip a quarrel dies down."

One might say, "What I am telling isn't gossip; it's the truth!" Where did we ever get the idea that only what was untrue or unconfirmed qualified as gossip? Proverbs 11:13 says, "A talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter."

Generally speaking, gossiping, complaining, and backbiting are acts of cowardice. Participants in such do not possess the courage to stop the gossip in his tracks by telling him to hold his peace. Neither do they possess the courage to confront one with whom they are in disagreement. They would rather sin against God and their brethren as show some backbone. The Bible is clear on how to handle disagreements among brethren. Brethren who love the Lord and one another will follow the Lord's procedure for conflict resolution as given in Matthew 18:15-20 and Luke 17:3-4.

Paul admonished the Philippians to "… be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind" (2:2). Whether we are going to be of one accord or plagued by discord is up to each member of the local body. It only takes one malcontent to stir up a hornet's nest. The Preacher wrote, "one sinner destroyeth much good" (Ecclesiastes 9:18). Let each one commit himself to maintaining and promoting peace and brotherly love among the local body.

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