"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers" (Proverbs 6:16-19).
The question is raised, if God is the "Allness" of love, how can he hate? Hatred is a disease that corrodes the soul and causes a person to create a living hell for him or herself. Can God hate? I believe the writer of Proverbs gives us a clue as to God's understanding of hatred. In the text, the writer starts with six things God hates and then he shifts to seven that are "detestable". Can it be that it a clearer understanding is these are the things "God has no tolerance for? Perhaps the writer wants us to know that these are the things that are absolutely not a part of the character of God and are damaging to our soul.
I will leave my colleagues to argue the point of God hating, as I focus on the state of mind and behaviors that are detestable to God. It is clear that the text refers to acts that are not a part of the character of God.
"Haughty eyes"-The arrogant who thinks that the world evolves around themselves and have no humility toward God or recognize that it is not them, but the God-in-them.
"lying tongue"-Those that walk in deception and not in the integrity of their word.
"hands that shed innocent blood"-Those that seek out the weak and frail who prey upon them.
"a heart that devises wicked schemes"-Those who are always finding ways that are not legal, harmful and the like. The hook-up!
"feet that are quick to rush into evil"-Those who are willing to pursue ways and means that are dis-empowering, not of faith or of God.
"a false witness who pours out lies"-Those who gossip and talk about those things that are not true as if they are fact.
"a man who stirs up dissension among brothers"-Those who bring contentions and create disunity among the ranks.
It is clear that the writer of this Proverbs is giving us a picture of the kind of person that we should not be. All of these characteristics are clearly not of God and should not be reflected in our lives.
Isn't it uncanny, this list reflects the body of Christ in many ways. Can it be that the Church, who professes to be the agency of God in the world, that we are actually demonstrating traits that God are contrary to the God we say we serve?
That leads us to the hard part, which is self-examination to determine if there are things in our lives that are "detestable" in the sight of God. If there are then it is a time of repentance--turning away from those and embracing a more empowering perspective and behavior that reflects God.
In summary, God calls us to a life of Holiness. Holy is being separated for the purposes of God. We must always remember that our lives are precious and that we have a purpose to fulfill. The above referenced behaviors do not lend itself to us fulfilling the purposes of God in our lives.
Living with Faith and Power and Creating a Phenomenal Life!
Bishop Keith Russell Lee
Hoffman Estates, IL and Los Angeles, CA
Spiritual Focus: Self-Assessment
Spiritual Prayer Treatment
Father, I repent from thoughts and actions
that are not consistent with "Who I AM"
as a Child of God.
Lord I embrace your Holiness and I walk
in Sanctification.
In the Name of Jesus,and Through His Power!
Amen! And So It Is!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment