Proverbs 6:16-17 says, “Three things the Lord hates; Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.” Interesting, isn’t it, that these three actions should be specially singled out by the Bible.
Let’s analyze.
Haughty eyes are a reference to the pride of heart whereby we insist on thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought.
A lying tongue. How many TV shows use courtroom dramas where a witness frames an innocent person by lying on the witness stand? A false witness, making up lies about others, can destroy the reputation and livelihood of another person made in God’s image.
The shedding of innocent blood; a clear reference to murder, is the worst act that can be committed by one human being against another. Innocent blood refers to adults as well as children, and babies, child sex trade, child murders, abortion, crimes of passion, indiscriminate destruction of lives. Those who commit these heinous acts are sliding down a very slippery slope.
We need to pay attention.
God gives consequences for our disobedience, and we can count on those consequences following our actions if we do not repent and change our ways. We are now seeing the consequences of our ways erupting in our world.
An easy way to observe societal trends is to separate and label areas of influence. There are basically seven divisions, known as the “Seven Mountains of Influence” in a nation. These seven areas can define the divisions in our society.
Here are the 7 divisions to consider. 1. The Family Unit; 2. Religion (Spirituality); 3. Business (Economy and Finance); 4. Politics (Government); 5. Education; 6. Media (Communication); and the 7. Arts (entertainment, celebration, sports, etc.)
You will note that each area has been weakened in the past 55 years, beginning with the hippie movement of “Free Everything” in the ’60s, and gradually slip slidin’ away, as the song lyrics tell.
Over the past many years, we have been sleeping as a society, “enjoying” the many diversions in our lives, and conducting our lives “our way,” more and more. We have not been minding the store. We have forgotten who we are as a free, blessed nation. We don’t read the Bible, understand the Constitution, nor know much about our history. We have legislated God out of the schools, allowed our families to fall apart, promoted sex and violence not only at home, but abroad as well, allowed indescribable images and language on our visual media, and more. Our songs sing of abuse, sex, and perversion. We have aborted over 85,000,000 babies and are now hearing of the many abuses of children that have gone on for a long time.
Our politics have been corrupted with lying and pride. Our big businesses have succumbed to “woke” and our media speaks out of a forked tongue.
The church “ought” to be the most influential, speaking out and declaring the wrongs and the rights while stepping into a leadership position. Once a leader, and voice of righteousness and correction in the nation, it must again take the leadership and voice in speaking loud and clear again.
We can do better. It’s not business as usual anymore.
Pay attention. Speak truth. Be courageous. Get involved. Take a stand. Pray. We have work to do.
Judi Tabler lives in Pawnee County and is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune. She can be reached at juditabler@gmail.com.
