Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
Devotion
Today we will wrap up a weeklong look at pride. I know for some that this has been a difficult topic to look at. But I do believe it is important to address the root cause behind racism and prejudice. If we are all honest, we have to admit that we do pre-judge people from time to time. We all struggle with pride as well. So, to close out this topic, I chose a passage of scripture that emphasizes the repudiation of pride. Solomon identifies “six things the Lord HATES, seven that are DETESTABLE to Him.” Solomon uses strong language to declare God’s feelings toward certain sins.
It is important to note that any time you see a list in scripture, pay special attention to the first thing on the list. Usually the first thing on the list is a priority. Notice the first thing on Solomon’s list: haughty eyes. According to other scriptures, haughty eyes reflect a proud heart. Of all the sins that God hates, PRIDE is on top of the list. This is why it is so important to continually ask God to check our hearts to see if there is any offensive way in us. Pride is offensive to God! God hates pride. At its core, pride is self-worship. Out of the sin of pride flows all kinds of evil.
In our culture, you have probably heard the phrase, “Just swallow your pride.” The problem with this is that if you just swallow it, it can and will come back up again. God wants to eradicate pride from our spiritual DNA. The only way this can happen is a total surrender of our will (minds) and our ways (bodies) to God. This is what Paul intends in Romans the twelfth chapter when he writes, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”
As Christ’s church, we must lead the way when it comes to any kind of restoration or reconciliation. We must set our pride aside in order to show the love of Jesus to those who are hurting. The Bible is God’s story of redemption! Let us be redemptive in these troubling times. Let us lead the way when it comes to humility and love!
Questions to Ponder:
How does God really feel about pride? How has pride impacted the way you view others? How has pride kept you from loving others well? What will you do this day to foster healing and reconciliation with someone from a different race?
Prayer Points
- Ask Father for lasting fruit in your heart.
- Ask the LORD to protect us from having an “emotional encounter” with Him or even others regarding reconciliation and healing and yet going back to our old ways.
- Pray for the church to remain humble and to learn from each other as we follow God’s will.
- Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to serve those oppressed and to walk alongside them.
- Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit within You to submit to one another in love.
- Ask the LORD to grant You ears to hear and heart to receive those different from you. Pray you won’t have colorblindness BUT rather that You will embrace the creativity of God’s creation that no two people are alike and that cultures are beautiful and to be celebrated, not overlooked.
Suggested Prayer
Oh Father, I need You. I cry out to You my King and Savior. I come to You and humble myself in Your Holy Presence and confess I am a sinner. Forgive me Lord, for I am a sinner.
God, You remind me that every single person has been made in Your image. Every single person has infinite worth. You paid the infinite price because each and every single person. Oh God grant me eyes to see every single person the way You see them. Let me and Your church have new eyes to be moved in our inner being with compassion that turns inside of us that causes not just an emotional response but leads us to ACTION.
Keep me in the daily posture of needing You, coming to You, depending on You, seeking You and Your will, then listening and obeying You. Let the Name of Jesus Christ be high and lifted up all across America. Start in my heart Lord! In the Name of Jesus Christ. I ask all of this. Amen and amen.