Proverbs 6:18-19 continues our theme of what God hates. Three weeks ago we looked at a proud look, lying tongue, and blood soaked hands. Today, this list continues as a stern warning for all who are alive.

Proverbs 6:18 points out a heart that devises wicked plans. The heart, we have discussed many times in Proverbs, is the control center of the body. But notice we have the word devises. This of course has the idea of planning and preparing. We have ran across this word already in Proverbs 3:29; 6:14. We will find it five more times in the book of Proverbs. To plot and plan is much like preparing a field. In this case, the preparation of the field is not for good and provision, such as food. It is of wickedness (Hosea 10:13), and means to be engraved with evil (Jeremiah 17:1). The fruit of this brings judgment as is seen in Jeremiah 26:18 and Micah 3:12.

The question and reality is that if God is willing to bring under those He considered the “Apple of His eye” (as it says in Zechariah 2:8), how much more would He not judge those who are outside? It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a Holy and Righteous God who is all powerful, and all knowing (Hebrews 10:31).

We now see the devising is that of plans (NKJV) or Imaginations (KJV). This word is used 56 times in the Old Testament. Remember we just said God will judge the evil devised plans. It is not just the plans that are actually done but also those which are planned. The intents and motivations not seen by man, are judged by God. Well said it is fearful to fall in the hands of the living God because He judges the works, AND the thoughts behind it! Lamentations 3:60 is very clear that the Lord is not caught off guard. There is no fooling Him. This is why the world wishes to destroy the Word of God because it pierces down to this deeper level of mankind (Hebrews 4:12). It is so precise as to slice us to our very intentions and therefore is no ordinary book. It is the very standard of life. The world hates the Bible and wants to do away with it because it shows them for who they are.

Sadly many “churches” and “christians” are in name only. They take God’s Word, use a scalpel to remove the parts they do not like, take this adulterated version, and proclaim they are Christian and follow the Bible! They lead others astray in their evil. This is why “churches” support homosexual lifestyles and the evil belief of transgenderism and still claim to believe the Bible. This is why many churches support politicians that live and promote the very things the Bible says is evil. There is such a disconnect from their faith and life that in disagreement we are counted as the bigots, haters, close minded! There is one word that describes this: Twisted.

The imagination is judged but so is the feet that swift in running to evil. This phrase has been found in Proverbs 1:16, but is also located in Isaiah 59:7 and Romans 3:15. None of these are good. For further understanding on this idea of the feet, I would direct us to Proverbs 1:16 (https://calvarycbc.org/blog/proverbs-1-15-16). Instead of feet that bring peace (Romans 10:12-15) and is shod with the Spiritual weapon (Ephesians 6:15), these feet are the ones that devise, plan and execute evil. We have enough of these people today and their judgment will stand in due time. Do not despair as they may have the physical victory but we are reminded of Matthew 16:26. This is pure evil they are running to, not anything else. If it is evil, it is of Satan. Therefore, even the things that may look good are opposed to God. They are evil to its core. It is time for Christians to stop flirting with wickedness or getting close to it. If it is evil, it is to be removed.

Proverbs 6:19 goes from the heart and action to that which some Christians may also be caught up in. Have we heard the statement, “A little, white lie”? No matter how little, a lie is a lie. As such, God hates it. It does not protect the other person but brings judgment on the liar. Let us call them what they are. Those who lie are liars and God hates lies. We find a direct command against this in Exodus 20:16, and God’s statement on where lies come from (Matthew 15:19; John 8:44). Those who lie, even when they are thinking they are doing good, are following Satan. Uncomfortable? Perhaps we should guard our tongues then.

Time would fail to go through each instance of this but I would encourage just a quick read of such texts as Proverbs 12:17; 19:5, 9; 25:18, and that is just in Proverbs. Jesus, in confronting the Jews also draws a link (John 8:44). The question to be asked, if we are willing to accept a “Little lie” in our life, the distinction is very clear that we are following after our true father, and it is not God – John 8:44.

Lastly, those who sow discord. This is one, as a pastor, that is like nails on a chalk board. All churches must be on guard, not just the pastors and elders, but all members, to make sure these type of people do not exist in their midst. These people are never given a pass but notice what is said about them:

1. They are worthless – Proverbs 6:12, 14

2. They are destroyers of relations – Proverbs 16:28

3. They are the fuel for strife – Proverbs 26:20

4. They are purposely foolish and unlearned – 2 Timothy 2:23

5. Their divisive trait comes not from Heaven but Hell itself (even if the claim to be Christian) – James 3:14-16

God is saying that He hates those who, in the words of the Pulpit commentary,

...Thus emphatically stigmatizing the conduct of that man as diabolical who destroys the harmony and unity of those who ought to live together in brother affection, and who distrubs the peace of communities.

I also like how the Expositors Bible Commentary sums this up,

Finally, as the blessing of Heaven descends on the peacemaker, so the hatred of God assails the man who sows discord among brethren.

This discord is opposite of how we are to be one for another (Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 1:7). How does a church handle these people?

The Bible is very clear – Proverbs 22:10. I will add in here that in any dealings, Matthew 18:15-20 should be followed. This is not a “wild west” showdown, but no church should abide and allow these people to exist and flow through their church unchecked. How many churches have actually grown when they remove these people or correct them? I dare say many.

Often, Christians, in their desire to be nice, will allow their church, their brothers, and their own lives to be polluted and destroyed because of the call to “be nice”. I do not suggest we do a witch hunt but those who cause strife are very easy to find many times. The harder ones who hide it will eventually be caught. It is not with joy we punish them but a desire to bring them back to the truth.

It is in this final statement, we close these lessons on the things God hates and the application is very pertinent for all of us. Do we really want to find these characteristics in our own life? As a believer are these the things we want to see demonstrated in how we live, walk, act as a “Christian”? The world may not think anything of these things. Many worldly so called “Christians” may not care for they live for the hear and now. But, dear beloved, let us now be fooled into thinking we will escape the wrath of God on this evil. God hates these things and it will be wise for us to consider this truth and remove any semblance of these seven things out of our life.