-September 7, 2023-
Good morning, happy Thursday,
“A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.”
(Proverbs 6:18-19).
Yesterday we began our study of the seven things that the Lord hates. We noted the first three of them: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. They are all detestable in the eyes of the Lord and should have no place in our lives. Today, we will consider the last four: a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.
1. A heart that devises wicked plans – Sin is in the heart of man and it comes out in the form of wicked plans. Criminals are usually very smart in concocting shrewd but wicked plans. They often think they can carry out the perfect crime. In the end they are caught, tried, convicted, and end up in prison. King Ahab wanted a plot of land near his palace for a vegetable garden but the owner Naboth refused to sell it to him. Ahab’s wicked wife Jezebel made an evil plan to invite Naboth to a dinner party. She then hired men to testify that that he blasphemed and they took him out and stoned him. Ahab wholeheartedly went along with it and took the land. God brought judgment on both he and Jezebel.
2. Feet That Are Swift In Running To Evil – Haman in the book of Esther was a man who hastened to do evil. He planned to execute Mordecai and exterminate all the Jews. His plans backfired and he and his ten sons were executed on the gallows he had prepared to hang Mordecai on. God worked behind the scenes to protect His people. Both Pharaoh and later Herod killed innocent baby boys but they too were rebuffed and defeated.
3. A False Witness Who Speaks Lies – Bearing false witness is a terrible thing whether in the courts, in the church, or in life. As Christians we must always tell the truth and live the truth. There is no room for bearing false witness. In Jesus’ day there many false witnesses and yet their testimony did not agree.
4. One Who Sows Discord Among Brethren – All of these seven things are horrible, but sowing discord among the saints is the worst. The devil seeks to drive a wedge between brothers and sisters in the church. God will judge those who ruin the unity of the saints. Paul warned the Corinthians against divisions in the church.
May the Lord help us to hate what the Lord hates. Have a blessed day walking in the Lord’s ways. Stay safe and healthy.
Being on guard 24-7 against every form of evil,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 