September 7, 2023 -- Proverbs 6:16-19 -- What God the Judge Hates. Part II

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

What does the word abomination mean? It is something vile, something corrupt, something that is disgusting. It is one of the strongest words in Scripture to describe our LORD’s profound animosity towards sin and these specific sins, which are repeated through-out Scripture. Consider New Testament lists, warning passages like Ephesians 4:17-32 and Romans 3:9-18. Those who practice such things are placing themselves in great spiritual danger.

Today we consider the third and fourth vile practices which are named as an abomination to the LORD. The third evil which is an abomination to the LORD: hands that shed innocent blood. Most among us are relieved, we have not actually killed anyone. However, Jesus upped the ante when He said, “I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire” (Matthew 5:21-22 ESV). Wow, that is an incredibly high standard God the Judge commands of His people. When we read what this means we immediately realize we have much to confess.

The fourth is a heart that devises evil. There is something about revenge movies that appeals to the sinful nature which still lingers in us. An example is the movie which depicts a group of bank robbers betrayed and robbed by one of their own. These bandits plot to get their revenge. And even gentle Christians are catechized to hate, to plot wickedness and to get even. Cheering even, when wickedness prevails, because the subtle movie-director's art has toyed with the viewer's heart so that sympathy is created for evil-doers. So much of our worldly movies and media celebrate plotting evil against others. How easily Christians are infected by this and then, sometimes unwittingly, other times knowingly, begin to practice such evils against one another.

A warning passage like this makes it clear why the Bible is so direct in pointing out sins. Christians directed by the Holy Spirit begin to see their lives in the mirror of Scripture. Christians gain a holy fear against lingering sins, wickedness which discounts the glorious work of Christ and would place them liable to the hell of fires. Oh, pray to God that the people of the LORD would stop playing church and instead, imbibing the truth of the Word would confess sins and hate them, throwing them far away and ardently seek the Rock, Jesus Christ, in Whom is all our righteousness.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. How great is Your Holiness. Lofty and majestic beyond all telling. There is none like You in splendour, in perfection, in requiring an absolute standard of righteousness. Spirit of God continually lift Christ high in our thoughts and in our meditations. Let the written word lead us to the Living Word, Jesus, so that in Him we will see the blackness of sin and run quickly and urgently toward Him in Whom is all life and godliness. Spirit of the Living God, blessed be Your Name for Scripture teaches us that in Your divine power we have been granted all things that pertain to life and godliness. Increase our knowledge of Jesus. Increase our knowledge of the Father, Who from before the foundation of the world has chosen us in love through Christ the Beloved One. Viewing Him, Christ, the radiance of the Father’s glory, help us to put aside all shedding of blood and all plots of evil. Instead, cause us to be a people who repay blessings for curses received and plotting ever greater kindnesses for the sake of Christ against those who are planning evil against us. In so doing Father in heaven, receive the praise of Your people, in so doing, Christ heap burning coals on the heads of those who oppose You, in so doing Spirit give us strength and humility and an ever deeper devotion to Jesus, the Warrior-Captain of our Salvation. Amen.

https://youtu.be/rsb6quBWxlw?si=B95BDdl69IyKFMy4 “Lead On, O King Eternal”

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.