Good Morning, Siblings!
Today’s readings are Proverbs 7-9

Click here to read today’s passages on BibleGateway.

Rabbit Trails

We read over a significant statement yesterday and I wanted to take time to address and discuss it today.

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.
Proverbs 6:16-19

First of all, we know that the Father hates all sin. Not sinners, but sin. However, I’m not getting into that whole “hate the sin not the sinner” theology here. I’m with Mark Lowry on that, we should hate our own sin. I don’t have time to hate my sin and your sin, too.
Back to my point… Hate in terms of speaking of the Father is not the same as hate in us. In us, hate itself is a sin. In the Father, hate means to be “set against” something.
Think good vs evil; hero vs villain, because that is an accurate representation about how the Father feels about sin.
And if we turn against it and follow Him, He will rescue us.

While He hates all sin, this passage tells us that there are some sins which He carries an especial hatred of, to the point of them being an abomination to Him. These are things that, as believers, we should avoid at all costs.

We don’t accidentally commit one of these sins. We consciously choose to commit them regardless of whether we are able to admit that or not.

Let’s break them down a bit.

Haughty Eyes – Depending on which translation you use, your Bible may mention arrogance or pride here. Either way, it is generally agreed that this verse is referring to pride. Pride is a destructive force, especially in the life of a believer. Pride can build a wall, however unintentional, that separates us from YHWH’s will for our lives due to our stubborn clinging to our own wisdom over His.

A lying tongue- Proverbs 12:22 says this perfectly. “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”
I know if the choice is between being an abomination or a delight unto the Father, I sure want to end up on the “delight” side of things!

Hands that shed innocent blood – This points to the sixth commandment. But the fact that the other commandments of YHWH are not listed here in no way diminishes them.

A heart that devises wicked plans – So many people have the false idea that if they appear to be a “good” person, check off all the boxes (show up to church, donate, dress a certain way, etc) that they will be fine. But the Father sees into our hearts. He sees that we carry that Bible but don’t obey it. We attend that church but worship idols in our lives. etc.
“He knows my heart” is a common refrain we hear today as an excuse for pretty much everything from A to Z. It is odd that “He knows my heart” brings such comfort and lends an excuse to live how we choose rather than how He instructs. I’ve personally never heard someone say “He knows my heart” unless it was in response to the knowledge that they are living in direct disobedience or with lack of regard for the Father’s will.

In my own life, I’ve revised this phrase to: “He knows my heart – so I’d best get that in order.”

Feet that are quick to rush into evil– If we were to see satan himself, would we rush to him? Certainly not. But so many of the things we rush to are unrecognized evil. You may read this and think “I’d never rush to evil.” But anything we cling to, hasten to, are passionate about, or enjoy with zeal that goes directly against the Father is evil. This verse can be turned around and examined from many ways but I just wanted to add recognition to that one facet of the stone.

A false witness that breathes out lies– Note that so far two of the seven things the Father hates involve sins we commit through our speech.
This one is something that can end a friendship faster than a speeding train for me.
In this category are gossip, slander, and even seemingly innocent speech that is meant to sow seeds of doubt into someone’s character. In Hebrew this manner of speech is referred to as Lashon Hara or “evil speech” and the Father detests it so we are to have nothing to do with it. This includes listening to it as well.
I’m blessed with some very wise friends who have taught me that, when someone begins to gossip, it is wise to stop them and let them know that I don’t want to hear it – or remove myself from the situation entirely.
Evil speech can destroy relationships, families, churches, communities, workplaces, neighborhoods, and much more. It breaks hearts and cuts into souls. It is never innocent and it is always intentional on some level – and evil on all levels. If our Father detests it, how can we not separate ourselves from it?

A person who stirs up conflict in a community or one who sows discord among brothers – And now we come to our third abominable sin that involves the tongue.
The Father offers us His peace and peace is important to Him. We have that if we walk in His ways, according to His wisdom. He gifts us with Shalom. One of the first signs that we have left that path and sought after other things is that our peace is disrupted.
A person who willingly goes around disrupting peace in the lives of others will find themselves separated from YHWH. He will not abide it.

Three out of seven things that the Father considers an abomination involve our speech. A sure sign (along with many other Scriptures to back it up) that a wise person who seeks to follow the way of YHWH will learn to control their tongue.
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I focused on this today because this passage always sticks out to me with that opening line.

There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him…

When I see a statement that says my Father finds some things to be an abomination to him, my immediate response is “I want to know those things so that I may not grieve my Father any more than I already have!”

Proverbs 7 reminds us of how great the temptation will be to turn aside from the narrow path. The wide path will look good, it will convince us it is good, and our hearts will want to declare it is good! Without being versed and practiced in being steadfast in the ways of the Father, we can easily choose to become a victim of this. That is why Joshua said, with such a definitive tone in his words, “Choose this day whom you will serve.” (Josh 24:14-16)  We have to decide which way we are going to go ahead of these battles and temptations – and then we must go in it. To do anything else is to commit adultery directly against the Most High.

I could write all day about just these three chapters in Proverbs so at this point in our study I just have to choose some highlights or you’ll have to be here all day reading! On that note, I’ll leave you to glean from the wisdom of our readings today and I look forward to your discussion in the comments in group.

Test everything, hold tight to what is good.~ 1 Thess 5:21

We are saved by Grace alone: Obedience is not the root of our salvation, it is the fruit!

May YHWH bless the reading of His Word!

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Christy Jordan
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