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S-Scripture | Proverbs 15:26 “Evil thoughts are an abomination to Yahweh”

O-Observation | The first lesson we learn from this passage is that the living God knows our thoughts. Psalm 139 reveals He knows all of our ways. Elsewhere we learn “the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His (2 Chronicles 16:9).” And “The eyes of Yahweh are in every place, Watching the evil and the good (Proverbs 15:3).” Oddly, we think the thoughts of man are totally private. We know no one is able to read another’s thoughts. Even expressing your thoughts well can be a difficult and imperfect ask. Yet, here we are taught that the Lord is aware of the content and details of all of our internal chatter.

Second, this teaches us that the Lord is not only aware and familiar with our thoughts, but he is concerned enough about them. He considers our thoughts enough to give them either approval or disapproval. That means our thinking can and does offend our Holy God. On the other hand, our thinking can instead praise, honor and glorify Him.

Third, we learn that God considers evil (morally wrong) thoughts to be abominable. This Hebrew word is connected with in the reflex reaction of throwing up. It maybe a strange way to say it, but our evil thoughts can make God gag.

A-Application | Oh to be able to more greatly worship the Lord in thought, word and deed. How can we get there? More time in daily study of the scriptures and seeking Him. The scriptures are His Word after all. More time devoted to Him through-out the day, every day.

P-Prayer | Father, like Daniel and David, morning, noon and night I want to turn to you. Lord, give me the discipline to seek you more. For your glory. Amen.

Psalm 139 (LSB)

¹O Yahweh, You have searched me and known me. ²You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. ³You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. ⁴Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Yahweh, You know it all. ⁵You have enclosed me behind and before, And You have put Your hand upon me. ⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it. ⁷Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? ⁸If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. ⁹If I lift up the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, ¹⁰Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. ¹¹If I say, “Surely the darkness will bruise me, And the light around me will be night,” ¹²Even the darkness is not too dark for You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. ¹³For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. ¹⁵My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And intricately woven in the depths of the earth; ¹⁶Your eyes have seen my unshaped substance; And in Your book all of them were written The days that were formed for me, When as yet there was not one of them. ¹⁷How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! ¹⁸If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You. ¹⁹Oh that You would slay the wicked, O God! O men of bloodshed, depart from me. ²⁰For they speak against You wickedly, And Your enemies take Your name in vain. ²¹Do I not hate those who hate You, O Yahweh? And do I not revile those who rise up against You? ²²I hate them with the utmost hatred; They have become my enemies. ²³Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; ²⁴And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:1–24