This is the little and humble post that started it all. I happened to be reading through my Bible, and this passage impacted me so much that I posted a little blurb about it on Facebook. That was July 28, 2008, and I’ve been writing and sharing ever since. (Maybe social media really is a bad thing! :)). Other than correcting a couple of typos and some minor wording changes, I have resisted the temptation to edit it too much.
I was reading Proverbs the other day, and I came across Proverbs 6:16-19. It says
16 There are six things that the LORD hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.
These aren’t things that just bother God a little bit. He HATES them! How hard then should we try to avoid those things God hates?
Haughty eyes
Resolve to avoid the pride that convinces us that we can control our own lives and don’t need the living God to guide us.
A Lying Tongue
From little white lies that seem perfectly harmless to the big coverup, God calls us to transparency and integrity.
Hands that shed innocent blood
It is easy for us to proclaim “I’ve never murdered anyone.” Is it any different though if we allow other innocent people to die so that we can live a lavish lifestyle. God help us!
A Heart that Devises Wicked Plans
We should love and pray for those who persecute us. Instead we spend our time planning for or wishing for their demise. When we focus on devising wicked plans if keeps us away from the heart of God.
Feet That Make Haste to Run to Evil
How drawn is our fallen flesh to the things which God hates? We must resist the call of the flesh and focus on the things of God. We will stumble, but we must allow God to pick us back up a keep us from falling.
A False Witness Who Breathes Out Lies
We dealt with dishonesty earlier, and it is interesting that God includes it twice. I think this encompasses falsehoods told about other people either in the form of gossip or malicious speech. Why is it that when people are successful in our eyes, we want to tear them down rather than rejoice with them?
One Who Sows Discord Among Brothers
Speaking of gossip! God hates the one who does not start a fight with someone, but rather pits two people against one another then sits back and enjoys the carnage. God give us the courage to be peace makers rather than people who cause strife!