“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.” Proverbs 6:16-19
Last evening I saw a body moving toward our church entrance and didn’t immediately recognize who it was. When he cleared the bushes, I saw Jimmy walking up to join us. Jimmy is one of our ‘snowbirds’ and the first to arrive this season. I was SOO glad to see him. I asked, “are you finding everything Chicagoans are saying about Florida true?” He answered, “Not a word!”
Yesterday morning, while standing on U.S. 41 with several Jesus guys and holding up Gospel signs of hope, a man gave me a dose of ‘haughty eyes’ AND the finger! I now know what that means because I looked it up! Haughty means ‘arrogantly superior and disdainful.’
Later last night we started watching the VP Debate on TV. Before the main delegates even took to the stage, I was fed up. I made it about 5 minutes, then got up and went to bed. This morning my wife told me I was grumpy! After taking inventory, I must confess that I am.
It has been said that opinions are like elbows…everybody has a couple. But I see a surge in something that is growing out of control. It seems there is a major attempt to perfect what I would call, ‘the beneficial lie.’ And it’s scary! It’s kind of like the picture here of Pinocchio, nose growing, but with a sheepish smile! He’s caught.. but there’s no guilt!
The Bible says that before Noah’s ark, ‘The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time (Genesis 6:5). I can’t help but wonder if we are receding!
When a lie is perpetuated in order to gain benefit, it stirs up conflict. Worse, is when the hearer fails to verify what is said and joins in the perpetuating! In an American political debate, where “In God we Trust” is our slogan, it was sad that God’s name was not mentioned even once! A sure sign that, if this continues, Judgment will soon be on the way!
I’m think it’s time I spend measure my attitudes and actions against what GOD has to say about the, then ask HIM to help me make a transition. I don’t want to be grumpy! And it is clear, neither does God…or my wife!
