Daily Devotional
Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in the
Bible.
The Wisdom of God
Verses for the Day:
Proverbs 6:16-19(KJV): "These six things doth the LORD hate:
yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
Thoughts for the Day:
The book of Proverbs not only gives
us wise advice; in these verses, it further states the six things that God hates. Yes, God
does experience the emotion of hate; however His hatred is directed against evil. Notice
that the list of things He hates begins with a proud look. Pride has been the downfall of
many people. The Bible definition of pride is haughtiness, vainglory and arrogance. It is
the attitude that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others. When someone
allows pride to dominate their lives, it opens the door for many other sins. Pride
is a form of self deception. Someone who is prideful will feel no need to be corrected, as
they think they are never wrong. With an attitude like that, they will soon fall, just as
the scriptures declare. Without a submissive spirit, we cannot be guided by the Holy
Spirit.
Proverbs 16:18: "Pride goeth before destruction, and an
haughty spirit before a fall."
The next thing on God's list is a lying tongue. Lying is so predominate in
our society, that according to a recent survey conducted by a leading news agency in the
U.S.A., over 80 percent of the people admitted that they lied on a regular basis. Most
people lie because they are either fearful of the consequences of their deeds, or are too
prideful to admit the truth. God highly values truthfulness. Even though it may be
difficult to admit to the truth, God is merciful to those that will step up and admit to
their wrong doings. The New Testament records just such a story.
Luke 18:9-14: "And he spake this parable unto certain
which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went
up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee
stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are,
extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I
give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift
up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to
me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the
other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth
himself shall be exalted.
Notice before God lists murder, that first comes pride, then lying. Before
someone commits murder they will have yielded to pride and lying. The shedding of innocent
blood is something God hates, and yet He must endure seeing this sin committed many times
every day. Not only are people shot down and killed; but tiny innocent babies in the
wombs of their mothers are murdered by abortion, mainly due to the selfishness of their
mothers and fathers. Abortion is shedding the blood of the most innocent and helpless
human beings, the unborn children.
The next thing that grieves the heart of God is the sin of those with
wicked imaginations who are devising evils. These evils are not only destroying them, but
others as well. Pornography and wicked movies and videos were created by wicked
imaginations. Our world is full of filth because of this sin, no wonder God hates
it. Billions of dollars are spent on pornography each year and millions of lives are being
ruined as evil images are imbedded in the minds of those who view it. Only God can free
them.
The list goes on -- feet that are swift in running to do mischief. While
God is merciful to those who are attempting to resist evil and yet fall into it; He hates
the practice of those who throw restraints to the wind and quickly run to do evil.
He also hates the sin of one who lies against another, as a false witness.
Gossip is a second cousin to this sin, as stories are repeated to others not on the basis
of truth, but simply because someone spoke evil about someone. Lying about what one has
witnessed is a serious sin before God and man.
The final thing on God's list is a sin that has been (and even now is
being) committed in the house of God among brothers and sisters in the Lord -- the sin of
sowing discord among the brethren. God hates it when we do not practice the love that He
commanded us to practice. We are to love one another. Notice that in the verses
above, God says He hates the first six things and then adds that if we practice this last
thing along with the others, it becomes an abomination to Him. When something is an
abomination to God, it is something He abhors. Let us not be guilty of doing
anything that God hates or abhors. Let us cry out for deliverance if we are guilty of any
of these sins. God loves us and will free us if we come to Him with an honest heart.
Prayer for the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father, I do not ever want
to grieve Your heart by my actions. Help me to overcome all sin in my life, and
especially Lord, I do not want to ever partake in any of the sins you hate. Lord, I
realize our nation is guilty of these sins as a whole. Please forgive us and lead us
to repentance. Lord, I know if we do not repent, judgement will surely come upon in
greater degrees. Help me to do my part in changing the world around me. Help
me to share the gospel with all who have not heard. Lord, grace me to walk in love toward
my brothers and sisters in Christ. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
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