Wow, the book of Proverbs is honest and unapologetic! It highlights the positives of right conduct and doesn’t hide sin’s regret and destruction. Much of today’s reading exposes the wicked, instructing the reader to avoid their ways.
In the middle of this honesty is a section (Proverbs 6:16–19) revealing what God hates and detests: a proud look, 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, and a person who sows discord in a family. Think about it: God, who created all things through the infinite power of His spoken word, hates these things! Does not this give one great caution to avoid these things?
What, then, is the opposite of the things God hates? How about humility, honesty, innocence and purity, righteousness, truth, and unity? Wow, just reading these counterparts to evil is refreshing! Who doesn’t want this in their life? Ultimately, notice the outcomes of these two paths.
The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. (Proverbs 4:18–19, NLT)
So what did Solomon tell his son, and what might we learn from this? Don’t lose sight of what God hates and loves (Proverbs 4:20–22), guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23), set your eyes on the straight path of righteousness, and watch out for distractions (Proverbs 4:25–27). Finally, don’t apologize for hating what God hates and loving what God loves. With evil, there is death; with God, there is life!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Proverbs 4-6.