Joel Osteen Podcast – "Disconnect From Discord"

Host: Joel Osteen
Date: September 2, 2025
Length: ~28 minutes (core message)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Joel Osteen addresses the destructive power of discord and division, both in personal relationships and within communities. Using biblical stories and relatable anecdotes, Joel encourages listeners to be vigilant against those who stir up conflict, gossip, and negativity. The main theme focuses on disconnecting from divisive influences to maintain peace, unity, and to secure God’s favor in one’s life.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Recognizing the Sources of Discord

• (02:00 – 04:30) Joel opens by highlighting the prevalence of "professional troublemakers" who complain, exaggerate problems, and spread gossip. He warns that being drawn into their negativity can lead to bitterness and distraction from one’s blessings.

  "We all have people that are trying to get us riled up. They complain about the company, exaggerate problems and spread the latest gossip. They are professional troublemakers."
  — Joel Osteen, 03:10

• Scripture Reference:
  Joel quotes Paul from Romans:

  "Watch out for those that cause division. Stay away from them. They're not serving Christ, they're only serving themselves."
  — Joel Osteen, 04:05

• Caution in choosing advisors:

  "Be careful who you take advice from. Be careful who you let influence you. Are they healthy? Productive? Do they have good judgment, clear vision? Or are they discontent, bitter, living from a place of offense?"
  — Joel Osteen, 04:50

2. The Effects of Divisive People

• (05:00 – 07:00) Joel emphasizes that spending time around negative, divisive individuals will eventually influence you. He references Proverbs and Psalms to show the consequences of associating with troublemakers.

  "Healthy people don't go around stirring up trouble. Secure people don't talk bad behind other people's back. They celebrate their success. Grateful people don't focus on what's wrong."
  — Joel Osteen, 05:35

• Time is precious, and listening to gossip or negativity can 'poison your spirit' and hinder spiritual growth.

3. The Power of Unity vs. Division

• (07:00 – 09:00) Unity brings power, while division destroys relationships and dreams. Joel warns that even subtle comparisons and negative remarks can sow seeds of discontent:

  "The enemy loves when we're divided. He loves when we're fighting in our homes, in turmoil, at the office. ... There's no power when we're divided. The power comes when we're in unity."
  — Joel Osteen, 08:30

• Referencing Proverbs, he points out:

  "If you walk with wise men, you will become wise. If you associate with fools, you'll be foolish. You're going to become like the people you're around."
  — Joel Osteen, 08:50

4. The Dangers of Comparison and Discontent

• (09:45 – 12:30) Joel illustrates how comparison leads to bitterness, using a humorous and self-deprecating example about romantic gestures (or the lack thereof):

  "If you make the mistake of comparing your situation, you're going to be disgruntled. ... Can I tell you, somebody has it worse? Somebody would gladly take that husband. Somebody would love to have the wife that you've gotten sour with. They'd love to have your job."
  — Joel Osteen, 10:45

• He urges gratitude despite imperfect circumstances:

  "I will not let these seeds of discontentment take root in my life. ... I am grateful for what I have. I'm blessed to have a job. I'm blessed to have a spouse. I'm blessed to be alive."
  — Joel Osteen, 11:05

5. Personal Anecdote: Getting Riled Up (Benchwarmer Story)

• (12:35 – 14:30) A younger Joel gets a friend kicked out of a basketball game by riling him up to argue with the referee, demonstrating how being influenced by troublemakers can have direct negative consequences.

  "That's what happens in life. We let people get us riled up, talked into being discontent, arguing with someone, having a bad attitude because we're sour, our relationships suffer."
  — Joel Osteen, 13:45

6. Biblical Examples of Discord

Korah’s Rebellion (Numbers 16)

• (14:40 – 18:45) Joel narrates Korah’s rebellion against Moses as the ultimate example of how discord can start with one disgruntled person and lead to widespread destruction.

  "It's amazing how quickly disunity can spread. If you're not going to let that discord get in you, you have to go against the grain."
  — Joel Osteen, 16:40

• The punishment that befell Korah and his followers demonstrates the seriousness with which God views sowing division.

• "When people are jealous of you, they try to discredit you, make you look bad. ... They don't realize they're coming against the God who put the blessing and favor on you."
  — Joel Osteen, 17:40

Noah and His Sons (Genesis)

• (18:50 – 21:20) The story of Noah’s sons illustrates the blessing in covering faults rather than exposing and gossiping about others:

  "When you cover a person's faults, you're on God's side. When you expose their faults, use what you know to discredit them, you're on the wrong side. God said, 'touch not my anointed.' Noah was drunk, but he was still anointed."
  — Joel Osteen, 20:10

• Blessings come to those who restrain gossip and division.

Miriam and Moses

• (21:22 – 22:50) Miriam criticized Moses for his choice of wife and was immediately afflicted with leprosy.

  "That's how much God doesn't like when we sow discord. He knows how harmful strife and division is."
  — Joel Osteen, 22:40

7. Staying Out of Others' Business

• (22:50 – 24:10) Joel cites Paul’s advice to lead a 'quiet life' and 'mind your own affairs,' emphasizing peace and resisting being a 'busybody.'

  "It's hard enough to run our own life. Don't try to run somebody else's."
  — Joel Osteen, 23:40

8. Letting God Handle Trouble

David and Sheba (2 Samuel 20)

• (24:15 – 26:30) Joel recounts how David was distracted by a troublemaker named Sheba, and nearly destroyed a city in his quest for revenge.

  "When you get riled up, let what somebody says get on the inside, it's easy to lose perspective and start fighting battles that don't matter."
  — Joel Osteen, 25:30

  "God will take care of your troublemakers. He will silence the people that are trying to discredit you."
  — Joel Osteen, 26:00

• Joel’s ultimate advice:

  "Don't do like David—get all worked up, think you have to pay them back. Stay in peace. God sees what's happening. ... Disconnect from any discord. Stay away from people that are bringing division. Don’t let those seeds of discontentment take root. You have a destiny to fulfill."
  — Joel Osteen, 26:30

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Your ears are not garbage cans to fill with a bunch of trash.” (06:40)
  A memorable metaphor about refusing to participate in gossip.

• "Be kind, be respectful, but be gone." (06:55)
  Joel’s practical advice for distancing oneself from divisive people.

• "I remind Victoria, you didn't marry Romeo. You married Jolio. That's corny." (11:00)
  A humorous, self-deprecating moment highlighting the pitfalls of comparison.

• "You can't stop people from sowing discord, but you can stop it from getting in you." (25:50)

• "Now, pay attention to who you're letting speak into your life. Don't go on Korah's side. Stay on God's side." (27:05)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:00 – Introduction of main topic: "Disconnect From Discord"
• 04:05 – Scriptural caution about those who cause division
• 05:35 – Qualities of healthy vs. divisive people
• 08:30 – The enemy’s goal: division brings defeat, unity brings power
• 10:45 – The dangers of comparison (marriage anecdote)
• 13:45 – Basketball story: how being riled up hurts you
• 16:40 – Korah’s rebellion: how discord spreads
• 20:10 – The blessing in covering faults, not exposing them (Noah’s sons)
• 22:40 – Mind your own business – Paul’s advice to the church
• 25:30 – David vs. Sheba: staying at peace, letting God handle your troublemakers
• 27:05 – Encouragement to disconnect from discord and trust God for vindication

Final Word and Call to Action

Joel ends with a call to self-examination:

• Are you letting troublemakers influence your peace and path?
• He encourages listeners to "disconnect from any discord," be intentional about their associations, and trust God to handle opposition and vindicate them.

"If you'll do this, I believe and declare, like with David, God is about to defeat some troublemakers for you. He's about to turn some negative situations around, vindicate you, promote you and take you to new levels of your destiny. In Jesus name."
— Joel Osteen, 27:20

For listeners:

• Be vigilant about the influences in your life.
• Practice gratitude, resist comparison, and cover rather than expose others’ faults.
• Stay focused on your own race and destiny.

This episode offers practical, faith-based strategies for maintaining peace, unity, and blessing by refusing to participate in or tolerate the seeds of discord in your relationships and environment.