MONDAY, 6 APRIL 2020
Proverbs 6: 16-19.
These six things the LORD hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
The six are first stated, and the seventh is that which results, namely, ‘he that soweth discord among brethren.’
Friends, lets us look at the seven sins Solomon listed again:
- A proud look
- A lying tongue
- Hands that shed innocent blood
- A heart that devises evil plans
- Feet that are swift in running to evil
- A false witness who speaks lies
- One who sows discord among brethren
Most of these sins are connected to something we do in or through our body. The eyes have a proud look, the tongue lies, and so on. Many of us may probably feel we do not have issues with the above things the Lord hates connected with the body. But we are again reminded of what Paul wrote in Romans about presenting the parts of our body (our members) to God for the work of righteousness, not sin.
Romans 6:13 “Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.”
How strange that this same body can be used as an instrument for evil to serve the prince of darkness, just as it can be, for serving the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords? Perhaps we need to ask, have we presented the parts of our body, indeed surrendered our whole beings for the Master’s use, for works of righteousness?
Could we be holding back a gifted hand, not wanting to heal a bruised ego or worst of all, are we reluctant to correct an unwilling heart? Let us ask honest questions. May the Lord deal with us gently as we seek Him intimately in this.
On another sphere, this collection of seven sins is also focused on how we treat others. We must honor God and worship Him in spirit and in truth; yet God also is concerned about our dealings with everyone we come across in our daily lives. All the more so when we consider this: A dear sister shared a devotion a couple of days ago where Acts 17:26 was the central verse
“From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth.”
Each of the above are serious sins against others, but perhaps none more serious than the subtle sin of prejudice and discrimination. How easily it is justified. Yes, how important it is for us to conduct self-examination daily in all our dealings with everyone we come across. We may feel we may be discriminated against in this nation, but let us not be guilty of the same.
Verse 19 One who sows discord among brethren: This is presented as the result of the previous six or is viewed as the ultimate among them. It is one of the highest among the things that God hates and regards as an abomination. Let us beware, lest we fall into this category. One way to ensure you do not do this is to make sure the fear of God prevails and rules in our hearts. In addition, let us be guided by the Lord’s words in Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Prayer
Our Lord and God, thank you for the whole of Proverbs chapter 6. We thank you for its wisdom, its warnings against being surety and against making impulsive promises with one’s mouth.
Help us be humble when there is a need to quickly undo damage our rash ways have inflicted on ourselves, lest we be snared and find no way of escape.
We must learn from that simplest of creatures, the ant, who despite having no captain, or overseer nor ruler, provides for itself and the colony for the winter months. How great is its wisdom and industry!
Help us banish to the ends of the earth, the sluggard within us, O LORD, that we may not be found wanting in our endeavours for the Gospel should you return like a thief in the night.
Thank you for the grave warnings regarding the behaviour and character of the wicked man and his destiny. O Lord, thank you that you want to spare us the calamity which will befall him without warning because of his unrepentant ways. Help us that those seven things which are an abomination to you shall be an abomination to us as well.
Finally, Lord may we bind your Word continually around our hearts and tie your precepts and statutes around our necks, and forsake not our fathers’ commands and our mothers’ guidance so that we may not fall prey to seductive temptations and thereby bring irreparable damage and disgrace to Your Name.
In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Ps Cheng Cheung
xxx
每日灵粮
6/4/20
(作者：张祯祥传道）
箴言6:16-19
「 16 耶和华所恨恶的有六样，连他心所憎恶的共有七样， 17 就是高傲的眼，撒谎的舌，流无辜人血的手， 18 图谋恶计的心，飞跑行恶的脚， 19 吐谎言的假见证，并弟兄中布散分争的人。」
智者先提起前六宗罪，第七宗指的是结果，就是「弟兄之间播下不和」
朋友们，让我们来看看所罗门所列出的七宗罪:
高傲的眼
撒谎的舌
流无辜人血的手
图谋恶计的心
飞跑行恶的脚
吐谎言的假见证
并弟兄中布散分争的人
这些罪大多与我们在身体内或通过身体所做的事情有关。 眼睛高傲，舌头撒谎 ，等等。我们许多人可能会觉得自已与以上主所憎恨的事无关。 但是我们再次被提醒，保罗写给罗马教会，就是将我们的身体（教会肢体）献给神，是为了义，而不是罪。
罗马书6:13 「也不要将你们的肢体献给罪做不义的器具，倒要像从死里复活的人，将自己献给神，并将肢体做义的器具献给神。 」
一个身体作为邪恶的工具来服侍黑暗之君，而同时也能服侍万王之王和万主之主，这真是不可思议！ 也许我们需要问自己，我们有没有把自己完全摆上，全人为主行义？
我们是否正在阻止有天赋的双手，不想治愈受伤害的自尊，或最糟糕的是，我们不愿意改正一颗顽梗的心？ 让我们诚实地面对这些问题。 当我们在这事上寻求亲近主，愿主温柔地帮助我们。
在另一方面，这七宗罪也传达一个重点：如何对待他人。 我们必须尊崇神，用心灵和诚实敬拜他；然而神也关心我们在日常生活中遇到的每一个人。前几天，有位亲爱的姐妹分享了灵修资料，而使徒行传17:26是其中主要的经文：「他从一本造出万族的人」
上述的每一宗罪都非常严重，但也许没有比偏见和歧视的罪恶更加严重。 这是多么合理啊。 是的，每天自我反省对人对己的言语行为，是多么地重要。即便我们可能会觉得在这个国家受到歧视，我们也不该犯同样的错误。
第十九节：「并弟兄中布散分争的人」：这是前六宗罪的后果，也能被视为六宗里最严重的。 这是上帝最憎恶的其中之一。 让我们提高警惕，以免列入这一项。 确保你不犯这罪的方法之一就是对上帝保持敬畏的心。 此外，让主的话语引导我们：
马太福音5:9
「 使人和睦的人有福了！因为他们必称为神的儿子。」
今日祷告
我们的主，我们的上帝，我们为着箴言六章感谢你。 我们感谢章节里的智慧，警告我们当心为朋友作保，不要从嘴里说出冲动的承诺。
当我们必须迅速停止自己鲁莽和轻率的举止时，帮助我们能够谦卑求助，免得我们陷入困境，找不到逃生的方式。
我们必须向最平常的生物学习：蚂蚁虽没有队长，监督者和统治者，但它们在冬季为自己和蚁群提供食物。 它们的群体分工与智慧是多么伟大！
主啊，求你彻底驱逐我们内在的惰性，免得你像夜间里贼再来的时候， 我们在传福音的使命中不亏欠你。
感谢你严重警告恶人的行为，性格和他的命运。 哦主，感谢你，因你想免除我们受到灾难，而这灾难将毫无警讯，降临在那些不悔改的人身上。 求你帮助我们也憎恶使你所憎恶的七宗罪。
最后，愿我们常常将你的话要系在心上，挂在项上，听父亲的训诲，不离弃母亲的法则，免得我们陷入诱惑羞辱主你的名。
奉主的名祷告， 阿门。
（巫惠如译）