Monday, March 18, 2013

Proverbs 6 - Worst Sin

More words of wisdom, words of warning not to stray from the path.  Proverbs 6 also warns against adultery as well as some other things that will keep you from a closer relationship with God and with your neighbor.

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 NIV)

I ask every one of my confirmation classes what the worst sin is. Of course, the response is always murder. I then proceed to go through all ten commandments and teach them how breaking any one of the ten commandments can lead to the death, the murder, of, either or both, the body and the spirit. It usually opens at least one or two eyes to the fact that things like gossiping, bullying, lying, and adultery can actually contribute to physical or spiritual death.  All sin, no matter what it is, drives a wedge between us and God as well as our neighbors.

Proverbs 6 also reminds us that if we keep to our own business, the work that is needed to support ourselves and our families, we won't have time to be burying our neighbors with the words of our lips or our actions.  Be wise, work hard, sleep well, and do no harm to your neighbor.

And... may the peace of the LORD be with you all...  Pr. J

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