The Lord Hates – Part 2

“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.” Rom. 15.30

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Prov. 6:16-19

Note that three are the focus on SELF: a proud look, hands that shed innocent blood, and an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations. Discussed in previous article Series 1. Today, Series 2 embarks on the interaction with others: a lying tongue, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. The remaining one which is a combination of both: feet that be swift in running to mischief presented in Series 3.

4th – A Lying Tongue

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. Proverbs 21:6. Deliver my soul, 0 LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. Psa. 120.2

In this our day, some whose tongues are deceitful have been presenting as truth many things that they themselves have originated,–as if the law of truth were in their heart and coming from their lips. But the Lord will surely punish every deceitful, lying tongue that has caused his people to err and to turn from the righteousness of Christ. RH. 1906-10-11.013

I saw that the people of God must put on the armor and arouse. Christ is coming, and the great work of the last message of mercy is of too much importance for us to leave it, and come down to answer such falsehoods, and misrepresentations, and slander, as the Messenger party has fed upon, and has scattered abroad. Truth, present truth, we must dwell upon it. We are doing a great work, and cannot come down. Satan is in all this, to divert our minds from the present truth, and the coming of Christ. Said the angel, “Jesus knows it all. In a little from this their day is coming. All will be judged according to the deeds done in the body. The lying tongue will be stopped. The sinners in Zion will be afraid, and tearfulness will surprise the hypocrites.” 4SGB.010.001

But God hates hypocrisy and falsehood. Ananias and Sapphira practiced fraud in their dealing with God: they lied to the Holy Spirit, and their sin was visited with swift and terrible judgment. When Ananias came-with his offering, Peter said: “Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” AA.072.002

Personal Testimony

You have heard the words before, DO NOT TELL ANYONE. The moment it is spoken the occasion arises that this so-called covenant becomes broken. It is shameful to say but this is a major stumbling block for God’s people throughout history.

A visitor arrived at church with much to share and the minister listened attentively. All of sudden the visitor asked that what was to proceed in the conversation was confidential. The visitor carefully observed that the moment that the words were said, what a big mistake it was to share their personal secret. A real embarrassment was felt and the confidence was relinquished and the visitor walked away discouraged.

How often have you shared deep heartfelt secrets with regret? For most, unfortunately too often. We seem to need an antidote from a laundry list of wrong persons. Stop now! And Think. If we are God’s people, who is our example? Christ. Therefore, did He discuss His problems and concerns with the apostles? No! He came to teach and preach the gospel. His secrets remained in the CLOSET and were revealed to HIS FATHER. Where are you today with your secrets? Remember, Our Saviour awaits to hear from you. Rush to His feet and beg for His Mercy. Council is found above, Not Below.

5th – A False Witness that Speaketh Lies

Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Exo.20.16 (Deut.5.20)
Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Exo.23.1
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. Psa.27.12

False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. Psa.35.11-12

He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. Pro. 12.17
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. Pro.14.5
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. Pro. 19.5
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. Pro.19.9
A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. Pro.21.28
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. Pro.25.18

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. Mai.3.5

Many False Witnesses Accused Christ and the Apostles

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses. Matt.26.59-60

For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. But neither so did their witness agree together. And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? Mark.14.56-61

And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law. Acts.6.13

Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 1 Cor. 15.15

There are many ministers of the gospel who need to have the live coal from off the altar touch their lips, and sanctify their tongues and hearts, till their souls are purified, ennobled, refined, and wholly given to the work. The humility, meekness, and lowliness of Christ, must characterize their lives. Their energy is represented by an angel flying through the midst of heaven. The Lord will give to the consecrated workers a new and enlarged commission, and will say, “Go into the harvest field. Lo, I am with you to work with human effort.” The live coal is symbolical of purification. If it touches the lips, no impure word will fall from them. The live coal also symbolizes the potency of the efforts of the servants of the Lord. God hates all coldness, all commonness, all cheap efforts. Those who labor acceptably in his cause, must be men who pray fervently, and whose works are wrought in God; and they will never have cause to be ashamed of their record. They will have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, and their reward will be given them,-even eternal life. RH.1888-10-16.013

6th – He that Soweth Discord among Brethren

“A talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.” Proverbs 20:19.
I feel sad as I think how many are so engrossed with thoughts of their friends and the gifts they are preparing for them that they will lose sight of their obligations to God. They will not seek to purify the soul temple from defilement that they may present to the Lord an offering in righteousness. During the past year, Satan has been making most earnest effort to sow discord and dissension among brethren. Now, as the old year is passing away and the new year coming in, is a good time for those who have cherished alienation and bitterness to make confession to one another. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.” (James.5.16) This is the Lord’s direction; will we obey him, or choose to remain in pride, and justify our course of wrong? Oh! that many may seek to have the sins of the past year blotted out, and pardon written against their names in the heavenly record. RH.1882-12-26.007

Satan has had great power over the minds of parents through their undisciplined children. The sin of parental neglect stands marked against many Sabbathkeeping parents. The spirit of gossip and talebearing is one of Satan’s special agencies to sow discord and strife, to separate friends, and to undermine the faith of many in the truthfulness of our positions. Brethren and sisters are too ready to talk of the faults and errors that they think exist in others, and especially in those who have borne unflinchingly the messages of reproof and warning given them of God. 4T.194.003

Evilspeaking is a twofold curse, falling more heavily upon the speaker than upon the hearer. He who scatters the seeds of dissension and strife reaps in his own soul the deadly fruits. How miserable is the talebearer, the surmiser of evil! He is a stranger to true happiness. 5T. 176.002

An earnest effort should be made in every church to put away evilspeaking and a censorious spirit as among the sins productive of the greatest evils in the church. Severity and faultfinding must be rebuked as the workings of Satan. Mutual love and confidence must be encouraged and strengthened in the members of the church. Let all, in the fear of God and with love to their brethren, close their ears to gossip and censure. Direct the talebearer to the teachings of God’s word. Bid him obey the Scriptures and carry his complaints directly to those whom he thinks in error. This united action would bring a flood of light into the church and close the door to a flood of evil. Thus God would be glorified, and many souls would be saved. 5T.609.003 – 610

The thoughtless, unkind words that are spoken grow with every repetition. One and another adds a word, until the false report assumes large proportions. Great injustice is done. By their unrighteous suspicions and unrighteous judgments the talebearers hurt their own experience and sow the seeds of discord in the church. If they could see things as God sees them they would change their attitude. They would realize how they have neglected the work He has given them to do as they have found fault with their brethren and sisters. 8T.083.003

I am filled with sorrow as I see finite men who claim to be the sons of God, filled with evil surmising, and ready to speak evil of their brethren in the truth, ready to weigh others in their own scales of human opinion, and place their estimate upon those of whom they really understand but little. The worst of it is that often those who ought to understand why such action is out of place, drink in the spirit of the accuser, go to the polluted fountain of suspicion and distrust, and turning from the course justice marks out, are guided by someone’s hearsay of another’s action or character. By this course God’s Holy Spirit is grieved, and the churches are weakened by the influence of distrust and suspicion; for they are led to speak evil of those who stand far better in the sight of God than do their accusers. Are we to take reports, hearsay, as if they were verity and truth? Are we not to rebuke the talebearer who would make a condemned brother’s course appear as bad as possible? The true brethren of Christ are those who guard the interests of their brethren and sisters. How inappropriate it is to condemn others, when every soul is to be saved, not on his own merits, but by the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour! We are all erring, finite creatures, accountable to God for our words, works, and influence. RH.1893-10-24.002

Students, understand that you have not been appointed by the Lord to be an informer. Your work is to study your Bible and the other branches of education, as for your life. Do not make it your business to be a talebearer. As matters are reported, each one makes the report a little more pronounced or varied, and thus painful discrepancies cause many to form wrong conclusions. Therefore guard well your words; put a bridle on your tongue. If you allow yourself to become a talebearer, you will not be welcome in any family, because of your propensity to report every transaction that may occur. I have decided that it is unsafe for me to visit, not because I am guilty of any known wrong, but because something will be said or inferred that will be misrepresented; and therefore I prefer to remain at home. (Signed) Mrs. E. G. White SPM.077.002

Practical Christianity means, not working for God now and then, but continuously. It means being laborers together with God. A neglect to reveal this practical righteousness in our lives is a denial of the faith and of the power of God, and makes of but little effect His principles of Godliness. Such negligent Christians become fault-finders, at discord with their brethren, and pronouncing judgment against many good works. They are spiritual paralytics. GH.1905-04-01.013

“Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matt. 10.16) These words should have an influence on the minds of all those who profess the truth. The Lord has not sent us to criticise and condemn the world. Even Christ came not to condemn, but to redeem lost humanity. You have no right to find fault with those who do not believe as you do. You are not to criticise the minister who is sent to you, and say he is too liberal, or he is at fault in this or that, if he is preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. No matter what you may think, do not allow your tongue to utter condemnation of that which you do not understand. Do not sow the seed of unbelief and discord. Silence is eloquence, and we greatly need to learn this eloquence. When you hear your brethren speaking evil of others, tell them not to judge, not to condemn. Jesus says, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?” (Matt.7.1 – Matt.7.4) Persons have criticised those who were digging deep in the mines of knowledge, and their criticism, if heeded, would crush out the very powers that God would have men develop and strengthen. This talking against others must be stopped among those who profess to be the children of God. RH.1892-04-26.005

The thoughtless, unkind words that are spoken grow with every repetition. One and another adds a word, until the false report assumes large proportions. Great injustice is done. By their unrighteous suspicions and unrighteous judgments, the tale-bearers hurt their own experience and sow the seeds of discord in the church. If they could see things as God sees them, they would change their attitude. They would realize how they have neglected the work He has given them to do as they have found fault with their brethren and sisters. PH151.043.003

Unite with your brethren in counsel. Do not, I beg of you, stand apart as a separate whole. Unify! Unify! Exercise care to avoid discord and strife. Do not speak words such as I heard you speak when in the night season I was in a council meeting at which you were present. Speak the words that Christ would speak were He in your place. NBL.113.007

The cause of divisions or discord in the church is separation from Christ. The secret of unity is union with Christ. Christ is the great center. We shall approach one another just in proportion as we approach the center. United with Christ, we shall surely be united with our brethren in the faith. To be a Christian means a great deal more than is supposed. A Christian is Christ-like. Membership in the church does not make us Christians. Has the light from Christ penetrated the heart? Are justice and purity and truth abiding in the soul temple? We may know; for the fruits will appear. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the Spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” (Gal.5.22 – Gal.6.3) This is not a time for brother to cherish prejudice against brother. Put not into our enemies’ hands anything that bears the least suggestions of differences among us, even in opinion. PC.153.003