Four Letter Words. Proverbs 6-7; First Peter 3

May the mumbling commence!

Hate is a four letter word.  And we often throw it around like we do not understand its meaning.  Hate is a damaging word, a hurting word.  We say it so often that it has lost all meaning… almost like the word love. 

Both love and hate (not that I am saying they are necessarily opposites, mind you) are diminished in meaning because of this.  Both have become a self-centered way of looking at the world.

Our God is a God of love.  That’s clear in both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament.  But there are things that God hates.  Read a passage from Proverbs chapter six:

There are six things the Lord hates—

no, seven things he detests: 

haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, 

a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, 

a false witness who pours out lies,

a person who sows discord among brothers. (Verses 16-19)

What does God hate?  God hates haughtiness.  Don’t be full of yourself.  It shows in our eyes, the windows of our souls. 

God hates lies.  Do not attempt to deceive yourself or others.  God sees right through that.  That hate is mentioned twice in this passage.  It’s important to remember.

God hates hands that kill.  The verse continues to say the innocent.  But who are we to judge?  Do not kill.  God hates killing.

God hates a person, who at their heart, is plotting evil.  Premeditated evil is hated worse than evil done on a whim.

God hates discord.  Discord is from the devil.  With God, there is unity in harmony.

Seek to reconcile rather than to divide.

So let’s honor one another.  Let’s honor the people most special in our lives.  I think of my wife, Anita.  I want to honor her – just as it is written in First Peter chapter three:

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. If you don't treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard. (Verse 7)

Indeed, our relationships with the people in our lives can either hinder or enhance our relationship with God through prayer.

Let’s leave selfishness behind and pick up selflessness and service.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out