We are continuing in our study of the seven things that are listed by Solomon as “things that are an abomination to God” (Prov. 6:16-19). The word “abomination” means “disgusting.” Thus all of these things we are studying are disgusting to God. Today we are studying number 4: “An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations” (v. 18).
“The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words” (Prov. 15:26). We need to ask ourselves, “What do I spend my time thinking about?” Are we guilty of always thinking negative thoughts? Always whining, complaining? Are your thoughts lustful? Are they prideful, or ungrateful? Sometimes, it seems that some folks are always trying to make every thing done by others look bad. One who “speaks evil of his brethren” (James 4:11) or “complains against his brother” (James 5:9) is guilty of this sin listed by Solomon. Some folks cannot see good in anything that others do. They always put the worst interpretation on the deeds of others. Some can tell you every sin ever committed by every member of the congregation, even though they repented and straightened out their sins years ago.
God hates this type of activity and this type of thinking. He hates it because it goes against every generous, kind, gentle, considerate, loving and merciful thing that He has ever done for us! And we are supposed to “follow in His steps” (I Pet. 2:21).
When we allow our minds to focus on negative, evil, and wicked things, we are going against everything God has done and taught us to do. Because of this foolish type of thinking, we actually are helping the devil cause ourselves and others to suffer needlessly.
Another thing that makes this type of thinking so dangerous and abominable in the sight of God is that if we constantly imagine evil thoughts all the time, then eventually we will say and do those things also. And instead of building faith in the word of God we cause fear and permit the devil to set us up for a fall.
What is the solution? How can folks prevent having “an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations”? I would suggest that the apostle Paul has the answer. He wrote, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil. 4:8 ESV). Devising evil imaginations is not true, is never honorable, never just, never pure nor lovely. It is never commendable, never a part of excellence or anything worthy of praise. Read James 3 on the discussion of the tongue. James wrote, “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:14-17). Which wisdom do you choose? What kind of thoughts do you think? Whether your wisdom “descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish” or it is wisdom from above, will determine whether your heart deviseth evil imaginations or not.
Paul M. Wilmoth
