God’s Word for Today 25 Sep, 2024 Prov 6:16-19 ESV SEVEN SINS THE LORD HATES In verse 16, it's important to note that the practice of referencing a number, followed by one more, is a common Hebrew literary pattern. It implies, sometimes, that the final item is the summary or culmination of the others. Sometimes, however, it's just a stylized way to introduce those ideas. The same pattern occurs in Job 5:19, that is, ”He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no evil shall touch you.” First is the arrogant, egotistical, or proud person. In Psalm 101:5 the Lord says, "Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure." A prime example of someone with haughty eyes is the proud Pharisee, who boasted to God, "God, I thank you that I am not like other men…or even like this tax collector" (Luke 18:11). Contrariwise, God is exalted in those who are "the poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3). Second is that God also hates "a lying tongue" (v.17). Earlier, Solomon mentioned the "wicked" and "worthless" person in Proverbs 6:12, who deceived others. In the book of Acts, Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit, and God struck them dead (Acts 5:1–10). Third is violence against the innocent. Earlier in Prov 1:16, there are wicked people whose feet run to do evil.’ Violence, revenge, and anger are all bad enough in and of themselves (Romans 12:19). Especially heinous is to use violence against those who are "innocent," in the sense that they've done nothing to deserve that treatment from other people. Fourth is an attitude to deliberately plan to do evil. Jesus identified the heart as the source of good or evil. He told His disciples, "Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander" (Mat 15:19). Unless the Lord rules a person's heart, sin rules it, and the outcome is evil conduct. Fifth, God hates the feet that carry out those plans. In Scripture, feet are often used as references to completing or enacting a plan (Zech 14:4; Rom 10:15). In this instance, the evil person is not just content to make wicked plans, he is eager and enthusiastic about carrying them out. One example is Judas. John 13:27–30 says that when Judas was fully possessed by Satan, he immediately left the upper room. He "hurried," in a sense, to Jesus' enemies. (John 18:3, 12) Sixth, God hates someone who provides false testimony. Solomon has already referred to "a lying tongue" (v. 17). In a literal sense, he gives a deliberately wrong account in a trial, or a legal claim. The original phrasing here depicts someone who "breathes lies as a false witness." If there is a meaningful difference between this statement and the one in verse 17, it might involve the audience of those lies. When Jesus was arrested and put on trial, His enemies tried to find false witnesses against him. Finally, two false witnesses came forward and accused Jesus of blasphemy (Mat 26:59–61). God not only hates it when we lie "to" someone in order to deceive. He also hates it when we lie "about" someone to deceive others. Seventh, God hates those who "sow discord." This last item is a summary of the prior six points. To "sow" is a reference to farming and means to deliberately plant seeds. The person who "sows discord" uses gossip, lies, unfounded accusations, negative criticism, and backbiting to accomplish his goal. The result which "sprouts" from those actions is strife. Think of the false teachers stirring up trouble in early churches by demeaning Paul and discrediting his message. [Gal 1:6-9]. Watch in YouTube: https://youtu.be/lPuuvKVODmg Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio #gospellightfilipino #godswordfortoda