“The LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
(Proverbs 6:16-19)
III – GOD HATES HANDS THAT SHED INNOCENT BLOOD - “A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.”(Proverbs 6:17). Hatred is MURDER at heart. Christianity is a religion of the heart, outward compliance alone is not enough. Jealousy, bitterness, hatred is an evil cancer within you and will eventually destroy you. The story of Abel and Cain was a classic example of hands that shed innocent blood.
“But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.”(Genesis 4:5). “And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.” (Genesis 4:8).
“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15).
Illustration: The “MATADOR” Plant
In South America, there is a strange vine known as the MATADOR. Beginning at the foot of a tree, it slowly makes its way to the top. As it grows, it kills the tree, and when at last the top is reached, it sends forth a flower to crown itself. “MATADOR” means KILLER, jealousy. It appears harmless when it is small, but if it is allowed to grow, its tendrils of malice and hatred soon clasp themselves around the heart and eventually KILL the SOUL.
LESSON:
Jealousy can be destructive in three ways:
a. They damage the foundations of human relationships (good will, trust and peace).
Jealousy is a dividing force strong enough to tear apart the mightiest of nations or the closest of friends.
b. They hamper progress toward important goals.
c. They make us self-centered rather than love centered.
The time to deal with jealousy is when you notice yourself keeping score of what others have.
Jealousy begins by destroying a person on the inside, then it manifest itself in harmful actions.
How tragic when our own jealous feelings make us try to stop God’s work.
Envy comes when you resent the fact that others have what you don’t.
When we are blinded by envy, it is almost impossible to see our own sin.
IV – GOD HATES A HEART THAT DEVISETH WICKED IMAGINATIONS - “An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief. “(Proverbs 6:18).
The HEART is the heart of all problems.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”(Jeremiah 17:9).
Someone once said of a man, “That man is an INVENTOR. He is always inventing some evil thing, how dreadful!”
How different was DORCAS? “Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did.”(Acts 9:36). Dorcas made an enormous impact on her community by “always doing kind things for others”.
When she died, the room was filled with mourners, people she had helped. And when she was brought back to life, the news raced through the town.
How different was BARNABAS? “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.”(Acts 11:24). Barnabas demonstrated strong faith by ministering joyfully with kindness and encouragement and helping new Christians grow in their faith.
Poem:
HOW DID HE LIVED?
Not, how did he die? But how did he live?
Not, what did he gain? But, what did he give?
Not what was his church? Nor, what was his creed?
But had he befriended? Those really in need?
Not, what did the sketch? In the newspapers say?
But, how many were sorry? When he passed away?
“It’s no use walking everywhere to preach unless we preach as we walk”.
V - GOD HATES FEET THAT BE SWIFT IN RUNNING TO MISCHIEF - “An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief.”(Proverbs 6:18).
“Mischief” – monkey business or deceitful behavior. “The feet hurry to carry out the wicked (deceitful) intentions of the heart”. Without honesty, a relationship with God is impossible. If we lie, we begin to deceive ourselves. God cannot hear us or speak to us if we are building a wall of self-deception.
“Better [is] the poor that walketh in his integrity, than [he that is] perverse in his lips, and is a fool.”(Proverbs 19:1).
“Better be poor and honest than rich and dishonest.” Mischievous people are so afraid of being short of money that they will pay any price to have more – cheating, stealing, withholding tithes, refusing to give. A lower standard of living – or even poverty – is a small price to pay for personal integrity.
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.” (Malachi 3:8-9).
What is God’s curse? “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse.” (Deuteronomy 11:26).
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it]. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 3:10-12).
Note: God’s promises great blessings, but many of these blessings are CONDITIONAL. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2Chronicles 7:14). Note the word “IF”.
(From Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon’s Sunday Worship Messages)
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