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Text: Proverbs 8:13
It truly is wisdom to be able to understand how things are related. Especially when they may seem unrelated. The fear of the LORD is connected to something that seems to be unrelated, like hatred. So embracing evil means you’re not a god fearing person.
Wisdom equates herself with the fear of the LORD. This fear is not a bad thing, it’s good. The fear of the LORD is synonymous with life, leadership, and a holy life. The fear of the LORD does not equal salvation, but it’s a step in the right direction; it’s the beginning of knowledge, it’s the beginning of wisdom. The fear of the LORD is a good thing. A god-fearing soul is good. Cornelius was a god-fearing man who eventually got saved after Peter preached to him. So when you read about the fear of the LORD you’re reading about a properly placed emotion. And something that God says is a necessary step in moving towards eternal life.
Here is the negative side of the fear of the LORD. It means opposition to wickedness. I saw this quote by the mother of the Uvalde school shooter. She said, “Please don’t judge him. He had his reasons.” That mentality right there is part of the problem. Not every action is justifiable. I agree with psychology that says every evil behavior has a deeper underlying problem. But whatever underlying issue there is, it isn’t justification for evil. I don’t enjoy the word hate, nor do I relish the idea of being against a bunch of things. But if you’re going to have fellowship with your Creator, you’re going to oppose the things he opposes and hate the things that have perverted his creatures. Isaiah 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
Hate evil
- A Christian is told to be in such opposition to evil that even the appearance of it is off limits. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. That’s pretty serious separation.
- A Christian is told to make no provision for evil doctrine. 2 John 1:9-11 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. So this makes you a partaker of the evil and you’ve created confusion by embracing wickedness.
Hate pride
- …God resisteth the proud…
- As the chest swells, the brain and the heart shrink.
- Now watch the example Peter gives to Christians. 1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
- The younger won’t be submit to the elder.
- When you won’t be subject to one another.
- Our country has defined pride as the unnatural lifestyle of sodomites, pedophiles, and confusion. In fact, this month is “pride month” where opposition to the Creator is celebrated. It’s not new, but it is a symptom of an exceedingly sinful nation. Ezekiel 16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
Hate arrogancy
- Arrogancy is the outward practice of pride.
- The act or quality of taking much upon one’s self; that species of pride which consists in exorbitant claims of rank, dignity, estimation or power, or which exalts the worth or importance of the person to an undue degree; proud contempt of others; conceitedness; presumption.
- Romans 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: So the Jews that didn’t believe were faithless because they thought themselves better then they were. They thought they were righteous when they weren’t.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Hate froward mouth
- Froward: Perverse, that is, turning from, with aversion or reluctance; not willing to yield or comply with what is required; unyielding; ungovernable; refractory; disobedient; peevish; as a froward child.
- The froward mouth is the voice of pride.
- Conversation is the dirty jokes, the lewdness, the cursing.
- It’s perversion against God that may be packaged in dirty, filthy people, or it may be packaged in eloquent, professional conversation. Or even medical, biological explanations. But all of it is froward, self willed, arrogant voice.
- Psalm 18:26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. The good LORD becomes an evil tyrant to a froward soul.
- The LORD said of the Israelites who ran to other gods and ignored his powerful redemption, he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.
- Psalm 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
