7 Proverbial Points

In your day, as a believer who fills a place in the body of Christ. There are certain things that are common to the heart and tongue of man, that break you away from the path set before you.

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Proverbs 6:16-19

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There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:

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haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,

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a heart that devises wicked schemes,feet that are quick to rush into evil,

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a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

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1. HAUGHTY EYES: arrogantly superior sense of self, the look of 'holier than thou' This is pride and vanity, very much self righteous behavior. It happens as a reaction to seeing others in sin, or seeing others in their weakness. If you love, you see them in a state of humility, as your sin and or weakness clings to your neck as well.
2. A LYING TONGUE: When we fear loss, or fear retaliation, we lie. What we must remember is there is nothing in the world that can steal away our salvation or the love God has for us, so, any worldly loss is meaningless, and our fear should be in the Lord who we must continue to put first in all things.
3. HANDS THAT SHED INNOCENT BLOOD: Since Christ came after this proverb was written, we can say that life is in all, and violence is unacceptable in every case. We turn the other cheek, we love our enemies, we forgive trespass, and in the worst case scenario, we lay down our lives for those we love.
4. A HEART THAT DEVISES WICKED SCHEMES: When you do not have God first in your heart, you have yourself first. Whether it be because you covet or desire something, what is of your conscience is not holy, but human. When we rely on our own knowledge, we act on our perceptions which are always incomplete. This is why faith and hope are what we place in the Lord, and then our guidance comes from holiness and not ourselves.
5. FEET THAT ARE QUICK TO RUSH INTO EVIL: There is a worldly way and a way of righteousness for all our acts. When we seek and find opportunities that lack integrity, we are called to deny these ways, and separate ourselves from them and those who take part in them. Although they may benefit you, when you are called up for judgement, you will have to make account of your choices. It is a sufferance to deny yourself, but it counts eternally in your soul's favor.
6. A FALSE WITNESS WHO POURS OUT LIES: When we read scriptures and passages, when we derive our understanding through logic and emotion, we do this to our own detriment. Wisdom is not found in words it is found through discernment. We must allow the Holy Spirit to place understanding upon us. And that understanding comes, like all holiness, in the present moment.
7. STIRRING UP CONFLICT IN THE COMMUNITY: Again this proverb was written in a time before the faith gospel was shared by Christ Jesus. But we can say this: although in love we may correct another, it is best done with two or more present. And if there is still a debate as to what is sound understanding, the individual who carries the conflict should be removed. Conflict in a group harms faith, which opens the doors to sin and then destruction.

So none of these are commandments. But what they are is similar to orders. Direction on how to be open to righteousness. All of these orders came before Christ Jesus walked the earth.

Jesus covered these with his two commandments: Love the Father with all your heart, with all your mind, and all your soul. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is similar, love one another, ( treating others how you would have yourself be treated.) In these two commandments the Law and the Prophets are fulfilled.

So if we focus on the selflessness of being loving, we are a vessel that provides holiness in the denial of our natural ways. I wrote this out today, because it is not always clear how we transgress, and not all of us are part of a community that can assist us in growth. Having said that, as those who walk in faith, it is extremely important we learn to listen to the Holy Spirit, and pray for the wisdom in the moment. Pray constantly. Grow.

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