City Life Starter

I. The Word: Proverbs 6:16-19 New International Version (NIV)

16 There are six things the Lord hates,
    seven that are detestable to him:
17         haughty eyes,
        a lying tongue,
        hands that shed innocent blood,
18         a heart that devises wicked schemes,
        feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19         a false witness who pours out lies
        and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

By Stefan Johnsson

The story of Cain and Abel in Genesis chapter four brings all that God detests into one full understanding.

Haughty Eyes: Gen. 4:5 – But on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Feet that are quick to rush into evil: Gen. 4:7 – If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

A heart that devises wicked schemes: Gen. 4:8 – Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”

Hands that shed innocent blood: Gen. 4:8 – …While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

A lying tongue/a false witness that pours out lies: Gen 4:9 – Then the Lord said to Cain, “ where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

A person who stirs up conflict in the community: Gen 4:14 – Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence.

Usually, when it comes to sin, it all tends to be connected. As it says in Gen 4:7, sin is crouching at your door. It wants to get in, and if you let it, it will not end with just one wicked scheme or with one lie, it spreads and leads you further into darkness, poisoning you and those around. Cain’s initial reaction wasn’t to kill Abel, he was angry and jealous of his brother. This developed into haughty eyes, feet that rushed quick into evil, wicked schemes and finally the shedding of innocent blood.

Though, the story doesn’t end there. God first gave Cain the option to confess, and he lied instead. It is baffling to think that lying to God would work. Though lying continues to others around and this causes conflict and toxin to spread within the community. God had to banish Cain in order to remove the toxicity within the community of His people.

Repentance from sin is vital within the Christian community. Lying is meant to cover up something that you do not want to be revealed. You will live as a person that has something to lose, caught and chained by your own sin. This toxin will cause you to be a false witness and stir up additional conflict in your community at work, in church, and at home. Trying to reveal sin in others in order to make yourself feel better about your own guilt.

God wants us to live a life free from the shackles of sin. Sin affects those around you. That is why we need to confess our sin to one another. This will begin the healing process and allow you to live in the worship of our Almighty Savior, who took this sin upon the cross so we do not have to live in condemnation. So repent and turn away from the lies and the gossip in your life. Sin is the sickness and confession is the medicine.

Remove the evil from your hearts. Do not let sin come in, it is crouching at your door.