SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1408

 

“Despicable Practices”

And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel. – 2 Kings 21:2

Despicable (to‘ebah): denotes what is utterly detestable to God regarding the objects that we value above Him (idols) and regarding our actions and motives that are contrary to His holiness (sin).

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: – Proverbs 6:16-19

Haughty Eyes – Pridefulness is characterized by self-aggrandizement. Do we think more highly of ourselves than we ought? Do we build ourselves up by putting others down? God values a humble heart.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall; Therefore, it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. – Proverbs 16:18; James 4:6; Luke 14:7-11

A Lying Tongue – There really is no such thing as a little white lie. Satan is the father of lies and anything we speak that is not the truth is an abomination to God. Keeping silent with the intent to deceive by withholding facts and truth is as much a lie as the spoken words of falsehood.

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord…; You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity. – Proverbs 12:22; Leviticus 19:35

Hands That Shed Innocent Blood – You say, ‘This does not apply to me. I have never murdered anyone.’ That may be true, but there are none more innocent than our unborn children that are being murdered at the current rate of 3000 per day in America alone.

Are we tolerating it and just going about our lives looking the other way as if this is the new normal? Do we think this is none of our business or do we feel as if we are helpless and unable to make difference? Does this ‘right to murder the innocent’ affect how we vote? Are we taking a stand and speaking out against this abomination? I believe God will hold us accountable for our actions/inaction regarding this shedding of innocent blood.

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. – Proverbs 31:8-9

A Heart that Devises Wicked Plans and Feet Quick to Rush to Evil – Let us not be too quick to dismiss this as something we as Christians are not capable of. King David, a man after God’s own heart fell into this trap of sin with Bathsheba and plotting Uriah’s murder. The Apostle Paul described the constant war between the flesh and the spirit. We must always guard our heart against evil.

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. – Proverbs 4:23

A False Witness and One Who Creates Division and Discord – Sadly, this is found among believers and non-believers alike. The Apostle Paul addressed this issue in His letter to the churches in Rome and Ephesus.

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them; Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. – Romans 16:17; Ephesians 4:25

Additional despicable (to‘ebah) practices that the Lord considers to be an abomination before Him are listed in other Scriptures:

Idolatry – What is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. – Luke 16:15

Occult Practices – There shall not be found among you…anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. – Deuteronomy 18:10-12

Dishonest Scales – A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. – Proverbs 11:1

Sexual Perversion – Women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another. – Romans 1:26-27

Half-Hearted Worship– Bring no more vain offerings; I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. – Isaiah 1:13

We must not be lukewarm and lackadaisical regarding our walk with the Lord. We must not allow societal pressures to bring compromise in our lives regarding the things that God considers an abomination to Him.

May you be sanctified and set apart, in the world but not of the world.

May you be salt and light in all you say and do so that others may give glory to our Father in Heaven.