Anglican Morning Devotion for 18 January 2022 Anno Domini
a ministry of the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
“A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. 13He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; 14Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. 15Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. 16These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:12-19; all scripture quoted is from the King James Version)
It may seem difficult to believe that God can hate anything at all, but He has expressed His hate many times in Holy Scripture. The word ‘hate’ is mentioned 182 times in Scripture, and the word ‘hatred’ another twenty-five times. It should be no surprise that God hates sin; but He also hates the thoughts and emotions that lead to sin. According to Scripture one of the greatest emotions that lead to the evocation of sin is PRIDE.
In the text from Proverbs above, God mentions seven characteristics in man that He hates and considers an abomination. The foremost characteristic mentioned is that of PRIDE. If this sin condemns to Hell, then we shall know of a bountiful supply of politicians to be there. “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” By implication, God not only hates those who are ruled by pride, but also ruled by the sins listed in order above. In fact, He makes his hatred personal in the latter instance (which will include many churchmen and women).
God tells us that He hated Esau, but loved Jacob. It was a matter of His discriminate justice. “And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.” (Genesis 27:41) The Lord considered this point of sufficient importance to reiterate two additional times. (see also Malachi 1:2-3 & Romans 9:13) Now the Lord did not come to hate Esau over his frivolity in selling his birthright for a bowl of red porridge, no, He knew Esau from long before his birth and read the mind of Esau’s heart.
Though we are commanded to judge sin by God’s Word, we are not capable of distinguishing the end of man’s life from the beginning. We judge too often by the past and present only, but the Lord our Maker knows the end of man and his heart-strings. His judgment is perfect and just. “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24) Though we judge sin, and the sinner, by God’s Word, we cannot finally condemn any to damnation. That is the work of God and His mysterious dealings in the secret chambers of the heart.
We will do well to remember that it is not for our innate goodness that God has chosen us, but for His own glory and purpose. (See Romans 9:13) But we must shun sin, we must hate sin, and it seems unreasonable that we could not hate a sinner of such magnitude of Adolf Hitler, Tamerlane, Mao, or Pol Pot of Cambodia.
The Lord has made certain promises concerning hate and love – “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.” (Psalms 97:10)
The mind of those who have hidden God’s Word in their hearts are changed thereby to more closely resemble the very Mind of God in their thoughts. There is no room in God’s presence for sin or pride. Lucifer was cast down from Heaven as a result of his sinful pride. It seems proper and right that we must also hate sin and its source – a pride heart, a lying tongue, and those who shed innocent blood with impunity. As the Seer, Jehu, said to Jehoshaphat: “Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.” (2 Chronicles 19:2)
It may be a discomfort for some to realize that the Lord who came as a little child at Bethlehem to save us from our sins, shall verily return leading the armies of Heaven to execute a severe judgment on sinners. It will be easier for our peace and rest to hold to the sure promise of God to love those who reciprocate His love to them: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12)
