Careful What You Say

“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 man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
Proverbs 6:16-19

The word translated as detestable in the verse above can also be translated as the word abomination. On occasion I have heard or read about Christians who describe certain groups of people as detestable or as abominations. I often wonder how many of the people who talk like that about people who have been made in the image of God, might also be considered detestable in the eyes of God. 

How many of us would consider pride or lying an abomination. If we catch our sons or daughters in a lie do we call them detestable? Of course not. If we act prideful, would we expect some to call us an abomination? No we would not and we would be offended if someone did.  

Every member of the human race is made in the image of God and also falls short of the standard of God. Sin is real; we all at times act in selfish disobedience and disappoint God with our behavior and our words.  

I know this is a tough subject, none of us want to be considered detestable and yet perhaps there are time when we are. I want to encourage you that when you may feel tempted to use the harshest language to describe someone struggling with the bonds of sin, that you stop for a moment and consider what those words would feel like if they were aimed at you.

Jesus came - for the whole of mankind; He desires that not one be lost. He has the power to heal and save all of us if we will let Him. Consider this; if someone claiming to be a follower of Christ called you detestable - how likely would it be that you would feel as if God hated you and that there was no hope for you?

There are of course times when we need to hold one another accountable for our actions I want to encourage you to seek words of love and compassion in those instances - words that will draw people to the cross.

A Prayer
Father - Forgive us for the times when we over look our own detestable behavior and call someone detestable. Make our hearts like the heart of Your Son - filled with compassion for the brokenness around us. Help us to see the face of Jesus in every person we meet and help us speak words that will draw people to the cross where healing, restoration and your great love can be found. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.