what God hates
April 26, 2009
There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things He detests (Proverbs 6:16).
READ: 2 Timothy 2:15-26
Shortly after moving to Uganda, I learned of a volunteer who contributed significantly on behalf of the East African people he came to serve. Yet despite all he accomplished on the field, he also caused harm by speaking falsehoods that caused rifts among his mission team members.
God’s Word firmly addresses such conduct, saying, “There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things He detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
What enters your mind as you read these things? Do you find yourself thinking of times, perhaps even recently, that you have done the very things that God detests? It’s interesting and convicting that God places “hands that kill the innocent” and “a false witness who pours out lies” in the same list of sins. One act clearly seems more heinous than the other.
The revelation that God’s scale equally weighs both behaviors should serve as strong motivation for us to speak truthfully. We should use discernment when we speak in order to prevent discord or strife among our brothers and sisters in Christ and among the other people we encounter each day (Ephesians 4:15).
In the workplace, for example, we should avoid talking in a manner that might turn colleagues against one another (4:25). If an argument or hard feelings exist between you and another person, everyone on your team might feel the tension. Subsequently, strife could spread throughout your organization.
Consider how you are treating your friends, family members, colleagues, and the other people in your life. If you are creating disunity with your words, ask the Lord for wisdom to behave differently and then act on the guidance He gives you. —Roxanne Robbins
What are some difficult relationships you have? How can you use words of truth and love to improve them?
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it-
RSS Feed
Related
ODJ: reconciliation
August 26, 2011 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9). READ: Genesis 32:1-5 Jacob conned his older twin brother and got his birthright (Genesis 25:29-33). Then he cheated Esau a second time when he tricked their father into giving him the blessings that belonged to [...]
ODJ: safety net
August 21, 2011 God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin (v.3). READ: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 A friend of mine bought a trampoline for his young boys. After he had assembled it, his sons excitedly begged him to let them give it try. He reluctantly let them climb onto [...]
ODJ: eat, pray, love
July 9, 2011 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could He possibly be the Messiah?” (vv.28-29). READ: John 4:1-30 Spiritual memoirs are enjoying renewed popularity, and Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love has been [...]
ODJ: jealous?
September 23, 2011 [Rachel] became jealous of her sister (v.1). READ: Genesis 30:1-24 You know the feeling—the jolt of recognition. Could it be? You inhale. Why, that’s so-and-so from high school! She grew her hair out, and now she’s a blonde! Somehow, the Internet has made it possible for you to contact her. But, should you [...]
Christian Courses
Day Of Discovery
Discover The Word
Discovery Series
Help For My Life
My Utmost For His Highest
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Journey
RBC Ministries
WarungSateKaMu
Manasociety
雅米