A Heart that devises wicked plans…
Proverbs 6:18a
This ‘heart’ phrase is part of the ugly list God gives in chapter six of Proverbs. Actually ‘ugly’ is probably not a strong enough word. In fact, Solomon states…
There are six things which the LORD hates,
Proverbs 6:16
yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
The Hebrew word for hate is sane (H8130) and abomination in Hebrew is toeba (H8441). Both these words convey strong language in Hebrew as they do in English. It might be surprising that God hates; that He finds things an abomination. But if we think it through, it makes sense. God hates sin and its destruction not only on the human soul, but also the cost sin plays on His whole creation. Below is the list given in Proverbs chapter six.
Proverbs 6:17-19
Haughty eyes
A lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart the devices wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
A false witness that utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers.
Too much in here to cover in a ‘short’ devotional. Let me point out several aspects of this list.
First, what is not included: no rapists, no thieves, no kidnappers, no arsonists, and the like. Murderers of innocent blood is included and just pointing out the qualifier “innocent blood”.
Second, what is included: This list boils down to what pours out from a person’s inner character; ie, from their heart when they have let sin overrun them and have rejected God as their Creator. And 6 of the 7 abominations are non-violent. (See Day 6)
Third: This list includes multiple ways a person fitting this descriptive list carries out their ‘wicked plans’ using various parts of their anatomy.
With their prideful eyes, in other words with the very countenance of their face.
With their mouth and the lies they tell and the fake news they willing spread.
With their own hands shedding innocent blood. That doesn’t have to be with a lethal weapon either. Cancel Culture, anyone?
With deceptive wicked plans. This person wakes up thinking about doing evil.
With joining into the mob mentality of social media or even in our city streets.
With actually being a false witness in a court of law. Happens way too much today!
With spreading of strife within their own family, friends and social circle.
Just as we discovered on Day 6, Cancel Culture is much easier to engage in than we think!
These seven things the LORD hates are not new. In fact, they are very ancient; as old as Cain and Able! But, it is quite evident with the onset and worldwide scope of social media over the past twenty years that we, as individual humans, can see within nano seconds everything on this horrible list 24/7 and 365 days a year. And oh so easy to partake in the cancel culture behaviors on this ugly list because we can be virtually anonymous in our participation and it makes us feel superior. Just being honest!
Maybe we should keep in mind the old children’s song and put a modern twist to it.
“Oh, be careful little heart what you post.
Oh, be careful little heart what you tweet.
For the Father up above is looking down in love.
Oh, be careful little heart what you share.”
31 Days in Proverbs 