Offenses, Gossip & Dissension (Home Team Part 5)
SERIES ANCHOR: LET GOD BUILD THE HOUSE
Unless the Lord builds the house, we labor in vain. “Home” means both your church home and the home where you live. The goal is a strong foundation in Jesus so that when storms and cultural chaos come, your home and your church can stand firm.
Psalm 127:1
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Ignoring a firm foundation is too expensive. Scripture warns that a generation can rise up that doesn’t know the Lord. The call is to take a stand—no excuses—whether you’re married, single, living with roommates, raising kids, or leading in the church.
Joshua 24:15
…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.Judges 2:10–11
And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord…
THIS WEEK’S WARNING: THE CROSSROADS OF THE HEART
The danger is usually not one massive blow-up. It’s “little fires” that grow over time. The tongue can light those fires and burn down relationships, families, and churches.
KEY TEXT: THE TONGUE SETS FIRES
James warns that the tongue is small but powerful—like a spark that can burn down an entire forest.
James 3:5–6
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire…
HOW GOSSIP TURNS INTO DISSENSION
Gossip feeds dissension. People get hurt, sides form, and division grows. This happens in churches and in families. The enemy looks for “a door” we open with our words, sarcasm, and casual disrespect.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
WHERE IT ALL STARTS: OFFENSE
Offense is inevitable. Jesus said offenses will come. The issue isn’t whether you get offended—it’s what you do next.
Luke 17:1
And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come…”
THE TRAP OF OFFENSE (THE “BAIT”)
Offense is a trap. When you take the bait, you can end up trapped in bitterness, division, and deception. The trap always closes in the same place: the heart. Then what’s in the heart comes out through the mouth.
Matthew 12:34
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
“LITTLE FOXES” RUIN BIG THINGS
Small, tolerated issues spoil what God is growing. When God is moving and “the vineyard is in blossom,” it must be protected.
Song of Solomon 2:15
Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.
A STRONG WARNING FROM SCRIPTURE
Division isn’t treated casually in the Bible. Paul urges the church to identify divisive influences and avoid them.
Romans 16:17
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
GOD HATES DISCORD
Proverbs names “seven” things God hates, with special emphasis on the one who sows discord among brothers. God knows what division does to homes and churches.
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 make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
WHY THIS IS SO SERIOUS: IT BREAKS COVENANT
Gossip and dissension don’t just “hurt feelings.” They fracture covenant relationships: marriage covenant, family covenant, and church covenant. God relates to us through covenant, sealed by blood—ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.
Hebrews 9:22
…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
HOW WE FIGHT BACK (PRACTICES FOR A HEALTHY HOME)
We guard our hearts, protect unity, and become ambassadors of accurate information (tell the truth). These aren’t “tips”—they’re obedience.
INVITE THE HOLY SPIRIT
You can’t do this in your own strength. Ask God to step into the situation before you react.
Luke 11:13
How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
HUMILITY
If the Holy Spirit is truly involved, you’ll approach the issue with humility and a willingness to be wrong.
1 Peter 5:5
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another…
BELIEVE THE BEST FIRST
Fight the instinct to assume the worst. Choose charitable interpretation before accusation.
1 Corinthians 13:7
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
GO TO THE SOURCE, NOT THE CIRCLE
Don’t spread it sideways. Handle conflict directly with the person involved.
Matthew 18:15
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.
DON’T PICK UP OFFENSES GOD DIDN’T GIVE YOU
Don’t carry someone else’s offense as if it’s your assignment. Push people toward biblical resolution.
1 Corinthians 13:5
…love… is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
FORGIVE QUICKLY
Forgiveness is not optional for believers. Deal with it fast, not slowly.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
USE GODLY WORDS TO BLESS AND HONOR
Even in conflict, speak in a way that blesses instead of curses.
Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
THE GOAL: ONENESS
God’s heart for your church home and your personal home is unity. Jesus prayed for oneness—so that the world would believe.
John 17:21
…that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
GOD BLESSES UNITY
Unity isn’t just “nice.” God commands His blessing where unity is protected.
Psalm 133:1, 3
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
…For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
RESPONSE PRAYER (GUIDED)
God, forgive me for picking up offenses, for gossip, or for causing dissension.
By Your grace, I refuse to be offended by anything You’re not offended by.
Holy Spirit, protect my heart from gossip and divisiveness.
God, have mercy—do not allow me to be the origin of dissension in my church home or the home where I live.
COMMUNION CONNECTION
Communion is a reminder: Jesus’ body was broken and His blood was shed to wash away sin. After repentance, we walk out free—no condemnation, no guilt—restored by grace.
1 Corinthians 11:23–24
…the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”1 Corinthians 11:25
In the same way also he took the cup… saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”