Proverbs Chapter 6
The Perfect Storm
Today’s verses are from Proverbs 6:16-19
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.
Have you ever been fascinated with the weather? It takes just the right combination of high and low pressure systems, wind currents and water temperature to form a storm. Weathermen use words like “storm of the century” or “the perfect storm”.
Today’s reading provides a list of components that can cause a “perfect storm” in our lives. The Lord is clear that he hates these things. You would think the list would be longer but God knows our hearts and knows what we would do if left to our own devises. He paints a picture for us using something we are very familiar with – parts of our body, we can relate to, a picture of us living in the flesh.
A proud look – looking down on everyone else, being superior
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
A lying tongue – creating a falsehoods to make yourself look good or to cover your sin
James 3:5
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Hands that shed innocent blood
1 John 3:15
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Heart that deviseth wicked imaginations
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Feet that be swift in running to mischief
Galations 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
A false witness
Proverbs 14:5
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
He that soweth discord among the brethren
l 1 Timothy 6:4
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions andstrifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evilsurmisings,
We need to keep these out of our lives by:
Deny the flesh
1 Corinthians 9:27
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Walking in the Spirit
Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Renew our mind
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.