A Friday Proverb

Good Morning! 

How about a Proverbs morning???  Since today is the sixth of the month, let’s take a portion of the sixth Proverb as our Scripture study …

Proverbs 6:16-19 English Standard Version (ESV)

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.

Let’s take a look at each abomination …

1.      Haughty eyes – pride is always an issue for humans. Now, there are certain aspects of life that pride is important.  We praise our little ones when they accomplish some life tasks as they grow.  And I am sure God is proud of each of His children as they grow in Christ … but having a prideful attitude or haughty eyes is not a growth point.  We have what we have because of God. As Paul states, even the faith that brings us salvation is not self-generated … it comes from God. 

2.      A lying tongue – truth is important to God.  Truth begins with being true to one’s self. We are sinners, saved by the grace of God.  We either truly are trusting in God’s completed work in Christ Jesus … or we are pretending to be. It is important to know the difference.  We either depend upon God for our every need … or we don’t.  The point is that God knows who is plastic and who is genuine.  Remember Jesus told us that God will judge between the sheep and the goats.

3.      Hands that shed innocent blood – one might think that doesn’t apply … until they check their heart for the people that they “hate”.  I am sure we can justify our reasoning for having hard feelings towards another … but hating another does not fit the command of Christ Jesus to love one another. 

4.      A heart that devises wicked plans – what constitutes a “wicked plan”? Note that the writer of Proverbs refers to the heart.  At the time the Proverb was written, the heart was considered the source of desire.  The warning is about the heart of the individual … or we might say “the mindset that devises wicked plans” meaning the person intentionally and continuously is devising ways to be wicked.

5.      Feet that make haste to run to evil – while the heart devises plans, the feet run to fulfill those plans.  The first is about the mind; the second about action.  Both are considered to be an abomination to God. 

6.      A false witness that breathes lies – can we say gossip? Can we say sitting in judgment of another?  Note that the witness is not telling the truth … perhaps only bending facts just a little to accomplish his or her purpose.  As stated above, God wants us to be truthful in all things. His reputation is at stake!

7.      One who sows discord among brothers – Paul, when writing to the church at Ephesus, points to God’s desire that believers be united as one in thought and belief.  Every so often, we encounter the individual whose goal seems to be causing discord and division within the body of believers.  He or she might hide their intent by saying they are just the “devil’s advocate” but God might say they are of the devil.  The point is that the world watches to see how each one of us relates to another … and makes a BIG issue when they perceive discord. Nowhere is this more true than in the Southern Baptist Convention where conservative and less conservative thought has become a major issue. We must be careful to honor and love one another … even when we don’t agree.

So, how does this impact us on this good morning?  God has given us His Holy Word to both warn us and enlighten us. The subheading in the ESV of this passage is “Practical Warnings”, meaning we should pay attention to what God considers to be abominations.  The instruction and enlightenment is what must we avoid and do the opposite.

Well, another week has come and gone.  My hope is that you will gather with your fellow believers this Lord’s Day and be encouraged in your walk with God.  God bless each one of you and keep you safe this weekend.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Keep my heart, dear Father God, so that I might bring glory to You in all that I do.  In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today:  Proverbs 6:16-19