This week I would like to examine a passage of scripture I came across a couple days ago while reading the Bible. There are many ways that God speaks to us. I believe one of the most frequent ways He chooses is through His Word. Yet another reason why it is so important that we read and study the Word of God. God never ceases to amaze me at His timing. When I write posts for this blog I always ask God to lead and guide me as to what I should say. I have many ideas that are good, because they are about God, but I am looking for God to speak through this blog and not Phillip. 1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient... So out of all the ideas I have God chose to lead me away from them this week and somewhere else. I really do love God!
Let's jump right in!
Proverbs 6 :16-19
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
The Amplified Bible says it like this:
These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren.
Let's look at a few key points. In verse 16 we are told that the Lord hates six things. Before they are listed we are told that there is a seventh thing that not only does He hate but it is an abomination to Him.
Hate is the opposite of love. In truth, it is the absence of love. As Christians we are commanded to love but God also tells us to despise wicked and evil. (Psalms 97:10, Psalms 101:3) So that there is no misinterpretation and for clarity's sake; we don't hate people who do evil we hate the evil they do. Its only because of God's love that we can separate the two.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says this about the word abomination:
"it refers to things or practices abhorrent to Yahweh (Jehovah), and opposed to the ritual or moral requirements of His religion." Many Christians may not readily see or recognize their own abominations to God, but once again thank God for His Word and Spirit that shows us our transgressions that we might repent and find ourselves right before God.
So now with an understanding of what hate and abomination are let's move on to the list. For this post we will concern ourselves with the seventh thing. It seems to me that the first six lead to the seventh. An abomination to God is someone who sows discord to their brethren. Discord is strife or contention. Brethren is not just used in the familial sense but it means from one person to another. In other words discord is a lack of unity between people. It is made very clear that God considers a person who causes it an abomination.
I would like to open this up for discussion. Let's all examine ourselves and our lives and how we might have caused or be causing discord. What are we saying, doing or thinking that might cause God to look upon us as an abomination? How can we change these things? And let us remember that as we examine ourselves and take what we find to the Lord, He is faithful to save and to forgive that we might be found in His righteousness.
I look forward to your comments, thoughts and/or questions.
Let's find ourselves in the fullness of God's love! God Bless!
