"A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you're looking down, you can't see something that's above you."
-C. S. Lewis
"A lie travels around the world while Truth is putting on her boots."
-Charles H. Spurgeon
"In every abortion, something living is killed. That is an indisputable biological fact, not a moral judgment."
-George F. Wilson
"No man ever becomes wicked all at once."
-Bits and Pieces
"Of two evils, choose neither.
-Charles F. Spurgeon
"No man has a good enough memory to make a successful liar."
-Abraham Lincoln
"You'll never move up if you're continually running somebody down."
-Anonymous
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren."
-Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV
We have here a list of six, no seven, things God hates: pride, a lying tongue, murder, hearts that plan wickedness, those who desire evil, false witnesses, and those who sow discord.
David understood God's hatred for pride and wrote, "Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don't concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me" (Psalm 131:1). God values humility and hates pride. Our goal should be humility and our fear pride: "I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word" (Isaiah 66:2b). For those who follow Jesus and desire to please God, a good principle to follow would be love what God loves and hate what God hates.
A lying tongue! When we lie we are actually showing opposition to God who is himself the Truth. "But you desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being" (Psalm 51:6). God's desire is honesty. It's easy to lie and hard to tell the truth sometimes. We have to work at telling the truth because we were born sinners and lying comes naturally.
Innocent blood is spilled as much by the tongue as it is by the hand. Many people are assaulted and destroyed daily by the tongues of fellow believers. Whether we take another's life or destroy another's good name, innocent blood is being shed and God is not pleased. Of course, let's not forget abortion! Without a doubt, that is the shedding of innocent blood. Babies are being murdered daily, breaking God's heart and bringing his wrath closer and closer.
A heart that devises wicked plans is another of God's Hit List. "The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is" (Jeremiah 17:9)? God knows and his desire is for us to have clean hearts longing for his will to be done in our lives. David prayed the prayer that we should sincerely pray daily, "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). Proverbs 4:23 warns, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." Read that again . . . and again . . . it need no clarification or commentary. It's clear. Let's do it.
Feet that are swift in running to evil reminds me of folks who chase fire trucks. For some reason, they love to see fire. Even arsonists will chase fire trucks to see their own evil played out. According to H. A. Ironside, "They follow where their hearts have already gone." Guard your heart and guide your feet.
Again, God lets it be known that lying is one of his seven abominations, "A false witness who speaks lies . . ." God desires truth in our hearts and from our tongues.
God loves unity in the body. God loves it when his people dwell together in unity and love. Jesus prayed for unity in John 17. No wonder he hates when discord is sown in the body. The talebearers, gossips, liars, and troublemakers with their accusations, insinuations, lies, and evil tales stir up trouble and injure the unity God desires.
Do you know who Pigpen is? He's the little guy in the Charlie Brown comic strips who always has a cloud of dust, dirt, and debris swirling around his body . . . looks like he's walking in a tornado! That's the sower of discord. And of the seven things God hates, number seven is, " . . . one who sows discord among brethren." Pigpens in the church!
So there you have one of God's Hit Lists. What can we do about it? "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do."
Beware!
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