Daily Devotion in Proverbs 6

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Daily Nugget:
Proverbs 6 gives wisdom in multiple areas.  There is good advice for dealing with people (Proverbs 6:1-5), for working (Proverbs 6:6-11), to the disobedient (Proverbs 6:12-15), for young men (Proverbs 6:20-31), and warnings to other sinners (Proverbs 6:32-35).  Also included (Proverbs 6:16-19) is a realistic view of God that many overlook.

So many imagine the Creator of this world to be a little, old, always-smiling, kindly man walking atop the clouds.  Their assumption is far from the truth.  Although He is very loving, a part of him is forgotten or unknown to many.  That part of his character is that there are some things God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19).

Many people are shocked by that statement and Proverbs 6’s verses.  In protest, they cry, “But, He is love.”  Yes, He is (I John 4:16), but He has other characteristics and emotions.
“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us.  God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” I John 4:16

This chapter reveals seven things that are an abomination to God.  He hates:

  1. Pride: (“… A proud look ...” — Proverbs 6:17).  As J. Vernon McGee pointed out, it may not be a coincidence that this sin is number one.  God not only has to deal with us in our belief that we are so wonderful or good without His help, but it was also the besetting iniquity that was the demise of Satan.
    “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!  how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!  13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Isaiah 14:12-14
    “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Prov. 16:18
  2. Lying: (… a lying tongue …” — Proverbs 6:17).
    “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” Exodus  20:16
  3. Murder: (… hands that shed innocent blood… — Proverbs 6:17).  God created life.  No one has any right to take what God gave.  Those who promote the butchering of little unborn babies in the barbaric act of abortion need to realize that!

“Thou shalt not kill.” Exodus  20:13

  1. Wicked thoughts: (“… An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations …” — Proverbs 6:18).
    “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man …” Matthew  15:19-20
  2. Troublemakers: (“… feet that be swift in running to mischief,” — Proverbs 6:18).
  3. Lying about others: (“A false witness that speaketh lies …” — Proverbs 6:19).
  4. Verbal instigators: (“… he that soweth discord among brethren.” — Proverbs 6:19). 

    Unfortunately, this sin is rampant today.  We see these cowardly troublemakers in politics, news media, church assemblies, classrooms…. These sneaky meddlers will not deal with truth head-on.  They drop or leak words that often are not even true to bring suspicion and mistrust to others.  The intended victim will then take the bait and turn against another who may not know what they are accused of.  The planted gossip will then divide friends, churches, nations….

God hates all sins.  He is holy and cannot be near it.  God knows how damaging committing iniquity can be to people.  It divides, weakens, destroys lives and characters, and even kills.  The Lord has every reason to be repulsed by sin, especially those mentioned above.

If you are guilty of the sins mentioned, do not think you got away with them.  God knows all that is done, and there is a wage for its commission.  If you have committed any sin, including the seven found in Proverbs 6, expect God to deal with you over them if you have not sought His forgiveness for the commission of those iniquities. 

Often, many think they have gotten away with sin.  Perhaps God’s grace has temporarily spared them what is due, but they are still guilty of an act He detests.  How terrible it is to have committed something that is not only harmful in one’s life but also to have done something abominable in God’s eyes.
“Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.” Proverbs 6:6:15

Today’s Thought: 
“If I were God, this world of sin and suffering would break my heart.”  — Goethe

Words to Understand:
Abomination: detested; intensely hated; seen as vile
Calamity: a disaster; problem
Sluggard: a lazy person
Slumber: sleep
Snared: trapped; caught
Froward: purposedly defiant and disobedient

Today’s Reading
Proverbs 6
1  My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6 ¶ Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard?  when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
12 ¶ A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
16 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.
20  My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.