Things God Hates

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Sunday - 9:15 AM Sunday School, 10:30 AM Worship Service

by: Denise Robinson

11/04/2020

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Solomon's litany of "practical admonitions" continues today as he provides a list of things that God hates. As you read through the list, you will read that there are seven - six that God plainly "hates" and then a seventh which is (even worse) an abomination to God and, when considered with everything else, turns everything listed into an abomination. What is the difference between something God hates and something God views as an abomination (something that harms our soul, destroys our very being)? 

"A scoundrel and a villain goes around with crooked speech, winking the eyes, shuffling the feet, pointing the fingers, with perverted mind devising evil, continually sowing discord; on such a one calamity will descend suddenly; in a moment, damage beyond repair. There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that hurry to run to evil, a lying witness who testifies falsely, and one who sows discord in a family."  (Prov. 6:12-19)

It's bad enough to put oneself before or above others (pride), to lie continually or under oath, to harm innocent people, or to think about how to take advantage of others or go against God's will; but all of these hateful things are made even worse when coupled with one who "sows discord" within his or her own family. The word "family" here may have been meant for a biological family or perhaps a tribe or even the nation of Israel. But, for Christians, the New Testament makes it clear we, as the church, are family. As you read the verses for today, what specific meaning do they have for us as followers of Christ?
Meditation suggestion: What are ways we see others "sowing discord" among us, even within the church? What can we, what can you, do to speak out against the discord and to bring about unity knowing there is and always will be disagreements? Everyone who is reading these words knows that the human tendencies on this list from thousands of years ago are still with us today. Contrast these seven things God hates with the qualities that Jesus loves: blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn for others, blessed are the meek, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers.... (Matthew 5). 

Prayer: God, today there is discord all around us. It seems so much easier to sow hate and anger rather than love and blessing. May we, as followers of your Son, live our lives to be blessed and to be a blessing to others. Amen.
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Solomon's litany of "practical admonitions" continues today as he provides a list of things that God hates. As you read through the list, you will read that there are seven - six that God plainly "hates" and then a seventh which is (even worse) an abomination to God and, when considered with everything else, turns everything listed into an abomination. What is the difference between something God hates and something God views as an abomination (something that harms our soul, destroys our very being)? 

"A scoundrel and a villain goes around with crooked speech, winking the eyes, shuffling the feet, pointing the fingers, with perverted mind devising evil, continually sowing discord; on such a one calamity will descend suddenly; in a moment, damage beyond repair. There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that hurry to run to evil, a lying witness who testifies falsely, and one who sows discord in a family."  (Prov. 6:12-19)

It's bad enough to put oneself before or above others (pride), to lie continually or under oath, to harm innocent people, or to think about how to take advantage of others or go against God's will; but all of these hateful things are made even worse when coupled with one who "sows discord" within his or her own family. The word "family" here may have been meant for a biological family or perhaps a tribe or even the nation of Israel. But, for Christians, the New Testament makes it clear we, as the church, are family. As you read the verses for today, what specific meaning do they have for us as followers of Christ?
Meditation suggestion: What are ways we see others "sowing discord" among us, even within the church? What can we, what can you, do to speak out against the discord and to bring about unity knowing there is and always will be disagreements? Everyone who is reading these words knows that the human tendencies on this list from thousands of years ago are still with us today. Contrast these seven things God hates with the qualities that Jesus loves: blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn for others, blessed are the meek, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers.... (Matthew 5). 

Prayer: God, today there is discord all around us. It seems so much easier to sow hate and anger rather than love and blessing. May we, as followers of your Son, live our lives to be blessed and to be a blessing to others. Amen.
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