Proverbs in 31 DaysSample

Since the Proverbs are mostly a collected grouping of wise sayings rather than one cohesive narrative, it can be difficult (at times) to isolate the theme of a chapter down to one idea. In chapter six. Solomon continues to instruct His son about the danger of indebtedness, laziness, and adultery. There is one specific grouping of verses that we will focus on today: verses 16-19.

The passage starts with a common Hebrew poetic method of stating things that God hates—the things that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a wicked-scheming heart, feet that rush to evil, a false witness, and…a person who stirs up conflict in the community. At first glance, it seems like one of those things is not like the others. Murder, lying under oath, and a wicked heart and feet that run to evil all make sense on that list. But, someone who simply is a pot-stirrer? Sure, nobody loves that person, but does God really have the same level of hatred for that as He does for murder?

It surely seems to be the case if we look throughout the rest of the Bible. Throughout scripture, we see that God really cares about unity. He is often seeking to unify, not to divide. Think about the following passages:

The two have become one (Ephesians 5:31).

There is neither Greek nor Jew…for you are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).

Jesus’s prayer in John 17 is that we would be one as He and His Father are one (John 17:21).

So there is something essential in the heart of God that abhors it when we delight in division. A level of abhorrence that rivals His feelings about the worst depravity of man.

And as we examine ourselves and our own habits, we see how easily we have slid into a world where sowing division is as simple as pushing a button, posting a meme, or liking an Instagram post. It is true that friendship with the world is enmity towards God (James 4:4), but we have so easily forgotten that God sent His son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:17).

As we ponder the heart of God for the lost, evil, and dying masses, we know for certain that tribalism, animosity, and disdain are not what God would have us sow into the current cultural climate. Let us respond to the admonishment by putting down the phone, choosing not to add to the caustic conversation, and instead to seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14).