September 6, 2023 -- Proverbs 6:16-19 -- What the LORD Hates

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People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

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.
Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV

Dear family in Christ it is my usual practice to read one chapter of Proverbs a day—on the sixth day of the month to read chapter six, on the seventh to read chapter seven and so on. So, the quotation above is part of my scheduled reading. It is written to believers. It is a warning for the faithful community. It is a measuring stick by which Christians can examine their hearts and their actions.

  • Haughty eyes reflect a prideful heart. They look down on those who are deemed less than. Read these words:

    Thus says the LORD:
    “Heaven is my throne,
        and the earth is my footstool;
    what is the house that you would build for me,
        and what is the place of my rest?
    2 All these things my hand has made,
        and so all these things came to be,
    declares the LORD.
    But this is the one to whom I will look:
        he who is humble and contrite in spirit
        and trembles at my word. Isaiah 66:1-2

    In view of the greatness and the majesty of the LORD, what right do you have to be prideful? All you have is from the LORD Who is enthroned on high.

  • Lying tongues. How easy it is to lie. Perhaps to spare someone’s feelings. Maybe to ease oneself out of a difficult situation, a little lie can seem like an easy short-cut out of a lot of explanation. Read this warning

    Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. Ecclesiastes 5:2-3

Notice the theme here, in view of the greatness of God, His awesome holiness and splendor, it is critical that believers guard their lips and keep watch over their thoughts. Such words of warning should drive us to our knees in penitence, asking the LORD’s mercy offered in Jesus Christ and asking for His Spirit’s strength so that we will have the strength we need to walk with integrity and true holiness.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. You are resplendent with majestic glory. Who shall not adore You and bow before You? How great is Your steadfast kindness in warning believers to guard their lips, keep watch over their actions and the live their lives constantly aware of Your fiery holiness. O Spirit divine, let the fear of the LORD govern our thoughts and direct our lives so that the world around us sees believers who are unafraid of the world’s pressures and unmoved by her temptation but are instead wholly devoted to pleasing the LORD. Amen.

https://youtu.be/zUAQdd2ELuE?si=CPFTcAK7O9-8Tas- Phillips, Craig and Dean “Let My Words be Few”

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