Scripture Passage: “These six things does the Lord hate: yes, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brothers.”  Proverbs 6: 16-19

 

Dear Friends,

 

God hates all sin, but there are some that are especially hateful to him because they demonstrate our treatment of each other.  In the seven sins listed I find it interesting that they all deal with the last six commandments.  Coming in at number one is the sin of pride.  Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”  Every sin known to man traces back in some way to our pride.  We are even told it was because of Satan’s pride and desire to be like God that he was evicted from Heaven. (Isaiah 14:12-14)  When we overvalue ourselves and undervalue those around us it reveals the condition of our heart. To esteem ourselves and hold others in contempt goes against all Christ teaching on servant-leadership.  Pride is closely related to arrogance and is fleshed out in the way we treat others.Number two is the sin of lying.  Since God is a God of truth there is nothing more contrary to the character of God than a person who does not tell the truth.  A lie ends up dividing and destroying everything in society that is sacred.  Satan is a liar and the father of lies.  (John 8:44) When we lie, we open the door for Satan to work.  When we tell the truth we give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to work.  I have been actively involved in jail ministry for thirty-five years and during that time have spoken with inmates guilty of every crime known to man.  They say there is a code of honor among criminals and I have heard more than one say they can’t stand a child molester or a liar.  It is interesting to me that they would put the two in the same category.  In their eyes, a liar is the worst of the worst. It is also noteworthy that there is a place reserved in hell for liars.    (Rev. 21:8, 27)

 

Number three is a person who commits murder.  The Biblical definition of a murderer is one who sheds innocent blood.  The heart of such a person is blood-thirsty and cruel.  They devalue life to the point they consider it expendable.  God values life so much that He paid the ultimate price on Calvary for our redemption.  The perfect example of innocent blood is an unborn child in its mother’s womb.  That child has never sinned because it has never been exposed to it.  The person who allows it and the person who performs an abortion are equally guilty of murder.  This is a deadly sin to God and carries a deadly consequence.  (Rev. 21:8)  Murder has become such a common occurrence in our modern society that even our video games endorse it.  One final thought is that the Bible does not consider capital punishment as murder.  It is not murder because it is not innocent blood.  God permits it to strengthen justice in the land.  (Genesis 9:5-6, Romans 13:1-7)   …to be continued next week.

 

In Christ,

Pastor Johnny