March 21, 2016

Innocence Clothed to Cast Doubt

16 There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

-- Proverbs 6:16-19

Yesterday our pastor concluded his series on “Six things God hates, but I’m good.” Basically, there are seven things here but, as he noted, the seventh relates to the other six.

We all probably know someone who is determined to stir things up. Not directly, of course. That would be too obvious. They remind me of the serpent who enticed Eve. Did God really say that? Did the pastor really say that? Did your neighbor really do that? Did your boss mean to pass you by?

Innocent questions cloaked in words meant to cause you doubt. Words that are meant to cause conflict. My counselor friend calls people like this “pot stirrers.” They seek to stir up dissension wherever they go.

I don’t think it’s always intentional. People sometimes just don’t think. They’re expressing a viewpoint or passing on information gleaned from another conversation. Pretty soon words get distorted and all kinds of controversy results.

I once worked with a man who was really good at this. He played his cards well. He came across as rather dumb, eager to please and a hard worker. In fact, he was smart in that conniving way. He played people well and wielded a fairly sharp knife in the back. It was quite interesting to watch him play people off of each other in order to promote himself.

Our pastor talked about dissension in churches. We’ve all seen that. People criticize the music, the order of the service, what is said or not said. Critics abound. Instead of stepping up and talking about a legitimate concern, we want others to cater to our preferences. It’s that pride thing that makes us think we know more than others.

Be wary of those in your life who have undercurrents within their seemingly innocent comments. And watch yourself as well. Don’t play people. Be honest. Be kind. Be straightforward in your words and actions. Love your neighbor as yourself. And love God above all else.

February 22, 2016

Small Lies Lead to Big Lies

16 There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

-- Proverbs 6:16-19

Our pastor continued his sermon series Sunday one the six things, really seven things, that the Lord hates. Yesterday’s topic was on “a lying tongue” and “a false witness who pours out lies.” They just sort of go together, don’t you think?

Most of us don’t consider ourselves to be liars. Do you? Of course not! But let me ask you something: When someone asks how they look in a new outfit, with a new hairstyle, or something similar, do you tell the truth even when you think it’s awful? Or do you fib just a little to spare their feelings and promote harmony in the relationship?

We don’t think of those little things as lies but they are. And little lies tend to relax us just enough to think that maybe a larger lie is okay. And so it goes until we just excuse every lie as okay. But it isn’t. No lie is okay.

What about a false witness? Ever gossiped about anyone? Sure you have. We all have. Are you certain that what you’re hearing and saying is correct? Probably not. We just assume that if someone we know said it, then it must be true. Usually it’s not.

The first communications course I ever took in college -- a requirement, I might add -- talked about how hard it is to find and keep the truth. It’s difficult even when we try to get the facts correct. The reason? People don’t remember correctly. It’s why police officers can talk to five different accident witnesses and get five different stories.

So when someone repeats something to you, and you repeat it, and so on, then it’s not likely truth. And that’s without even considering the you shouldn’t be talking about anyone else anyway. It’s not okay to repeat things that way. It’s isn’t.

God wants us to speak truth. And he wants us to refrain from telling lies about other people. The end.

　

February 16, 2016

Arrogant Pride Wrongly Judges

16 There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.

-- Proverbs 6:16-19

In the aftermath of trouble, there are always going to be people who criticize what was or wasn’t done. Surely her sons could have done something sooner? Why in the world won’t one of her five children take her into their home? How can that mother not manage her own children? Why won’t she lose weight or get a better job?

It’s always somebody else’s fault and the person complaining could surely have figured out a better way.

Our pastor began a sermon serious today on this passage of Scripture. He focused on “haughty eyes,” that arrogant pride that makes us believe we know better than anyone else.

It is ever so easy to judge from the outside, without knowing the facts. And, honestly, if you weren’t there, if you weren’t privy to the inside conversations and the heart wrenching decisions, then you don’t get to judge. But we do. Again and again we do.

Pastor Danny noted that folks can always find a better way to run the service, whether it’s music, sound or lighting. We have that critical spirit inside of us that lets us think it’s okay to comment (even to ourselves) about someone’s weight, dress, or hair style. It isn’t okay. It isn’t funny. And it certainly doesn’t make us into better people. Just the opposite, in fact.

Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall. -- Proverbs 16:18

When we are haughty, we are filled with pride and arrogance. We think we know best and really we don’t have a clue. Sooner or later the truth always wins out and we are headed for a fall.

When we are willing to walk in someone else’s shoes, then we have a voice. But until we put those shoes on, we need to keep our opinions to ourselves and support those who are in the trenches doing what needs to be done.