DEVOTIONAL INSIGHTS & REFLECTIONS

Six Things the Lord Hates - December 22

One of the most important things we can do over the Christmas and New Year holiday is to mind our own business, keep our mouths shut---even if we have to bite our tongue---and refuse to participate and/or listen to gossip --- excuse yourself from that conversation.

These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. ~Proverbs 6:16-19

He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears. ~Proverbs 26:17

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, or [as] an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. ~1 Peter 4:15

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam [is] in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. ~Matthew 7:1-5

Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. ~Proverbs 26:20

[It is] an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. ~Proverbs 20:3

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, or [as] an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. ~1 Peter 4:13-15

Note that a "busybody" (also known as a meddler, gossip-monger, talebearer, sower of discord) is listed here among murderers, thieves and evildoers.

If you have done these things, confess your sin to God and turn away from furtherance/repetition of that behavior.

And if you find that most difficult, plead the blood of Jesus over yourself, submit yourself to God and ask Him to cleanse you from the top of your head to the soles of your feet and to help you live for Him from this moment forward in all you say and do.

…And indeed, you are showing this love to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to excel more and more and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.… ~1 Thessalonians 4:10-12

Jesus loves you, this I know...