Devotion:
Read Proverbs 6:16-19.
The Bible is very clear that at the core of who God is, there is love. God loves people. But God also hates, not people, but the sinful ways and actions of people. As we read through the Bible, we see what many of those sinful ways and actions are. Here in Proverbs chapter six is a list of specifics. All of these have to do with activities and attitudes that damage relationships. They hurt other people. They divide people. They destroy people.
If God hates them, so should we who claim to be the people of Christ. First, each of us need to be regularly on the lookout inside ourselves to discern if any of these sinful ways has become a part of who we are. Second, we should be on the lookout for any of these ways that we see in others, whether individuals or groups of people. Just as God does not hate them, neither do we. However, just as God hates their evil ways, so should we. May it always be our desire to stamp out these and all evil ways and activities, whether we find them in ourselves or in others. Of course, how we go about doing that “stamping” will need to always be under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Personal Worship Option:
Regularly include in your prayers requests for discernment on seeing evil for what it is, whether in yourself or others, and being given the power and wisdom to remove it.
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