Series

He Who Soweth Discord Among the Brethren

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“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.”
Proverbs 6:16–19

In previous articles, we examined six of the seven deadly sins found in Proverbs 6. Now we will examine the final one, “… he that soweth discord among brethren.” Verse 19

There seems to be something particularly serious about this seventh deadly sin simply because it is often seen in Scripture in negative ways, resulting in very serious consequences.

For instance, Korah and his two friends rebelled against Moses, causing discord within the camp of Israel. Their end was frightening! Judas continually caused discord among the disciples of Christ. He hanged himself! The interesting thing about those who stir up strife is that they may tell no lies, yet they produce as much commotion and disharmony as does a liar.

The word discord, used by King Solomon, appears only twice in the Bible, and it means “strife.” Webster’s Dictionary defines discord as “a lack of agreement or harmony, dissension, conflict.” Webster’s Dictionary also defines the word strife as “conflict, fight, struggle.” Synonyms are discord, contention, and dissension.

According to Biblical Leadership, “The 14,000-congregation Faith Communities Today (FACT) study in 2015 found that 75 percent of congregations have experienced conflict in the past, 20 percent at any one time. Sixty percent of congregations had some kind of conflict during the past five years. A 2001 Hartford Institute study discovered that 79 percent had had a conflict in the past five years.”

Church Conflict Forum, January 2, 2008, “Staggering Statistics” reported that, “More than 19,000 congregations experience major conflict every year. Twenty-five percent of the churches in one survey reported conflict in the previous five years that was serious enough to have a lasting impact on congregational life. Only 2% of church conflict involves doctrinal issues. Ninety-eight percent of church conflict involves interpersonal issues. Control issues ranked as the most common cause of conflict (85%). About 40% of church members who leave their churches do so because of conflict. Very small numbers (16%) of churches report positive outcomes from conflict.”

Sources: churchconflictforum.blogspot.com/200801/staggering-statistics; faithcommunitiestoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/American-Congregations-2015

What is the Toll that Church Conflicts have on the Pastor?

“The average pastoral career lasts only 14 years” due to conflict. “1,500 pastors leave their assignments every month in the United States because of conflict, burnout, or moral failure. Thirty-four percent of all pastors presently serve congregations that forced their previous pastor to resign.” Ibid.

So, we are beginning to understand the awful effects that the work of the person or persons who sow strife or discord have on the life of the church. This is the reason why God hates this type of conduct. The contemplated motive of such individuals is to destroy the harmony and unity of those who are striving to live together in love and unity in the church. Their actions are not limited to the church; they extend to the family circle, the community, the workplace, and even the world at large.

However, the emphasis of this seventh deadly sin pertains to God’s church, and that the evil-doer is used by Satan to deliberately destroy the love and unity that exist among the followers of Jesus. Those who carry out such work are doing Satan’s bidding because he hates to see God’s people united and living in love and peace.

“Satan works to make the prayer of Christ of none effect. He makes continual efforts to create bitterness and discord; for where there is unity there is strength, a oneness which all the powers of hell cannot break. All who shall aid the enemies of God by bringing weakness and sorrow and discouragement upon any of God’s people, through their own perverse ways and tempers, are working directly against the prayer of Christ.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, 152

“Discord and strife are the work of Satan and the fruit of sin.” Ibid., Vol. 5, 169

The Holy Scriptures inform us that the spirit of discord and self-exaltation are the evil traits that caused the problem in heaven. Lucifer came to cherish this selfish desire to be above his Maker, and consequently, discord erupted in the residence of God.

“All heaven had rejoiced to reflect the Creator’s glory and to show forth His praise. And while God was thus honored, all had been peace and gladness. But a note of discord now marred the celestial harmonies. The service and exaltation of self, contrary to the Creator’s plan, awakened forebodings of evil in minds to whom God’s glory was supreme.” The Great Controversy, 494

While in heaven, Lucifer went from angel to angel, sowing seeds of strife to create division among the heavenly host and thereby redirect the angels’ loyalty from God to himself. Because of who he was, the angels did not suspect his evil purpose; they trusted him as their commander. This diabolical scheme sowed seeds of doubt that germinated in the minds of many of the angels, leading them to question the character of their Maker. Sadly, because of the bewitching power of this operation, one-third of heaven’s angels will be eternally lost, and heaven was changed forever! Angels who once lived in love and unity will be forever separated because of the evil spirit of discord.

This is the very work that is being carried out in God’s church today by those who have sold themselves to the devil. Paul dealt with this problem during his ministry. The church in Corinth was especially plagued with this divisive element. In his first letter to them, he stated:

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

“Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:10–13

The True Reason for Discord.

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

“For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

“Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.

“For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:1–11

This discord motif was uppermost in Paul’s discourse to the Corinthians to the extent that he highlighted their attitude even when they were gathered together for church services. He said:

“Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.” 1 Corinthians 11:17, 18

We need to understand what motivates a church member to cause strife within the church. Let’s look at a few texts of Scripture to find the answer to this important question.

“He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife … .” Proverbs 28:25

“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.” Romans 13:13

“For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” 1 Corinthians. 3:3

“Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife … .” Philippians 1:15

“He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings.” 1 Timothy 6:4

“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. … For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” James 3:14, 16

Notice that two words appear to go together and are repeated in these verses—envy and strife. Solomon used the word pride, which stems from envy. Mrs. White tells us, “Envy is the offspring of pride.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 651

It is not by chance that these Bible writers put these two words together in these passages because envy is the root cause of discord or strife.

“Envy is one of the most satanic traits that can exist in the human heart, and it is one of the most baleful in its effects. Says the wise man, ‘Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?’ Proverbs 27:4. It was envy that first caused discord in heaven, and its indulgence has wrought untold evil among men. ‘Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.’ James 3:16.” Ibid., 385

So, we see the reason—the root cause—behind church members going about the church and sowing seeds of discord and strife is envy. Wherever there is discord and strife, we can be sure that it is the devil working through human instrumentalities to accomplish his destructive purposes.

“In the rebellion of Korah is seen the working out, upon a narrower stage, of the same spirit that led to the rebellion of Satan in heaven. It was pride and ambition that prompted Lucifer to complain of the government of God, and to seek the overthrow of the order which had been established in heaven. Since his fall it has been his object to infuse the same spirit of envy and discontent, the same ambition for position and honor, into the minds of men.” Ibid., 403

What is envy? According to Wikipedia, “Envy is an emotion which occurs when a person lacks another’s quality, skill, achievement, or possession and either desires it or wishes that the other lacked it.”

“Envy is not merely a perverseness of temper, but a distemper, which disorders all the faculties. It began with Satan. He desired to be first in heaven, and because he could not have all the power and glory he sought, he rebelled against the government of God. He envied our first parents and tempted them to sin and thus ruined them and all the human race.

“The envious man shuts his eyes to the good qualities and noble deeds of others. He is always ready to disparage and misrepresent that which is excellent. Men often confess and forsake other faults, but there is little to be hoped for from the envious man. Since to envy a person is to admit that he is a superior, pride will not permit any concession. If an attempt be made to convince the envious person of his sin, he becomes even more bitter against the object of his passion, and too often he remains incurable.

“The envious man diffuses poison wherever he goes, alienating friends and stirring up hatred and rebellion against God and man. He seeks to be thought best and greatest, not by putting forth heroic, self-denying efforts to reach the goal of excellence himself, but by standing where he is and diminishing the merit due to the efforts of others.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, 56

What are the Seeds of Discord?

“There are men who are ever talking and gossiping and bearing false witness, who sow the seeds of discord and engender strife. Heaven looks upon this class as Satan’s most efficient servants.” Ibid., 607

“A person who will allow any degree of suspicion or censure to rest upon his fellow workers, while he neither rebukes the complainers nor faithfully presents the matter before the one condemned, is doing the work of the enemy. He is watering the seeds of discord and of strife, the fruit of which he will have to meet in the day of God … .” Counsels on Health, 297

What Should be Our Attitude?

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions (disunion, dissension) and offences (skandalon [“scandal”] or stumbling block; occasion to fall; things that offend) contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid (shun, go out of the way) them.” Romans 16:17

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1–3

[All scripture is from the King James Version]

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at 718-882-3900.

A False Witness

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A witness is a person who has seen, heard, sensed, or been aware of something, especially an event or a fact. A witness can also give evidence or testimony, often in a court of law, based on their own knowledge. Wikipedia defines a witness as “someone who, either voluntarily or under compulsion, provides testimonial evidence, either oral or written, of what they know or claim to know.” Cornell University Law School’s definition of a witness is “someone with firsthand [personal] knowledge of an event.” A witness engages all five senses, but especially the senses of sight and hearing, as necessary tools in order to be truly qualified as a witness.

Accordingly, the major qualification of a true witness is that they must be truthful. The person is required to declare only what they have witnessed without adding or subtracting information based upon their biases, opinions, etc. The Holy Scriptures call Jesus “the Faithful and True Witness” (Revelation 3:14) and this is so because He declares Himself as “the Truth” (John 14:6). Jesus told His disciples, “…  the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me” (John 14:30). Satan who is the prince of this world is a liar and also the father of lies (John 8:44). This makes him the false witness!

A true or false witness.

As there are true witnesses, so there are false witnesses. King Solomon says that God hates “a false witness that speaketh lies” (Proverbs 6:19). While deadly sin number two addresses a lying tongue, it speaks of lying generally. In a concise form, the expression a lying tongue represents whatever has been already said concerning “the wicked man” who “walks with a forward mouth” and whose conduct is made up of deceit (Proverbs 6:12, 13). Lying is the willful perversion of truth, not only by speech but by any means whatever, whereby a false impression is conveyed to the mind.

This sixth deadly sin, known as perjury, specifically addresses an aspect of lying that forbids being a false witness against one’s neighbor. More specifically, this sin is detestable to God and is expressly forbidden in the moral code, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). Clearly, that which makes a person a “false witness” is speaking lies based upon unfounded accusations. It is this type of lying that is expressly forbidden by the ninth commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”

This prohibition is repeated elsewhere in the Bible because God considers this sin a very serious matter and does not want us to forget His command.

  1. Exodus 23:1 – “Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.”
  2. Deuteronomy 5:20 – “Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbor.”
  3. Proverbs 12:17 – “He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.”
  4. Proverbs 12:22 – “Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are His delight.”
  5. Proverbs 25:18 – “A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.”
  6. Matthew 19:18 – “… Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness.”
  7. Mark 10:19 & Luke 18:20 – “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness.”
  8. Romans 13:9 – “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness.”

Thousands of people have been wrongly convicted across the United States in a system defined by official indifference to innocence and error. Since 1989, over 3,175 persons have been exonerated in the United States. The years that these people spent in prison for crimes they didn’t commit total over 27,200. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, as of November 2016, more than half of all wrongful convictions were traced to witnesses who lied in court or made false accusations.

Richard Phillips was an unfortunate victim whose friend made a false statement about him in 1972. As a result, he was imprisoned for 46 years, the longest known wrongful prison sentence in American history.

In June, 2011, a former undercover police officer confessed that his lies in court more than 30 years ago had wrongfully sent over 150 people to prison. “In his confession, he said he could not guess the number of people who were sent to prison because of his lies because he stopped counting arrests at 150, halfway through his three-year undercover stint.”

Source: STUFF, Former Cop says his lies sent people to prison, June 25, 2011

The unfortunate results.

We see also in the Holy Scriptures the unfortunate results of bearing false witness. For example, in 1 Kings 21, the narrative reveals how Jezebel, King Ahab’s wife, employed two false witnesses to lie against Naboth because he refused to sell Ahab his family vineyard. Because of their false witness, Naboth lost his property and his life.

Let’s look at a few questions that we need to answer:

  1. How does God view those who bear false witness?

“There are men who are ever talking and gossiping and bearing false witness, who sow the seeds of discord and engender strife. Heaven looks upon this class as Satan’s most efficient servants.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, 607

“All evil-speaking and bearing of false witness is disloyalty to God and to His cause.” The Review and Herald, November 29, 1898

  1. What will happen to a church that entertains a false witness?

“Satan has made his boast of what he can do. He thinks to dissolve the unity which Christ prayed might exist in His church. He says, ‘I will go forth and be a lying spirit to deceive those that I can, to criticize, and condemn, and falsify.’ Let the son of deceit and false witness be entertained by a church that has had great light, great evidence, and that church will discard the message the Lord has sent, and receive the most unreasonable assertions and false suppositions and false theories. Satan laughs at their folly, for he knows what truth is.” Testimonies for Ministers and Gospel Workers, 409

“Misrepresentation and [bearing] false witness will grow to open rebellion.” The Review and Herald, January 30, 1900

  1. How should the church handle the influence of a false witness?

“The Lord would not have His servants unjustly charged by their fellow laborers with the guilt of many sins. Those who do this do much harm by creating a sentiment which will cut off the influence of those against whom they speak. False impressions will be made. Every effort should be made to present the facts as they exist. It is essential for the one who has borne false witness to see that he has been guilty of a great wrong in causing dissension in the church and in creating false sympathy, thus leading others into the same error and endangering their souls.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 10, 167

What does it really mean?

We have been studying the subject of false witness, but some people may not be sure of the meaning of bearing false witness. Here is a comprehensive definition of bearing false witness, “ ‘Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.’

“False speaking in any matter, every attempt or purpose to deceive our neighbor, is here included. An intention to deceive is what constitutes falsehood. By a glance of the eye, a motion of the hand, an expression of the countenance, a falsehood may be told as effectually as by words. All intentional overstatement, every hint or insinuation calculated to convey an erroneous or exaggerated impression, even the statement of facts in such a manner as to mislead, is falsehood. This precept forbids every effort to injure our neighbor’s reputation by misrepresentation or evil surmising, by slander or tale bearing. Even the intentional suppression of truth, by which injury may result to others, is a violation of the ninth commandment.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 309

According to Paul, false witnesses or false accusers are a sign of the last days. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves … without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers.” 2 Timothy 3:1–3

Paul used the Greek word diabolos here, meaning “devil or slanderer,” to describe false accusers. Mrs. White, commenting on these verses, revealed the awful effect the influence of false accusers will have on the church.

“While Christ is at work to preserve a pure church in the earth, Satan ever seeks to counteract his agency and work. Spurious Christians are found in the church of God; for we find men, while professing the name of Christ, more firmly united to Satan than they are united with pure and holy influences. They gather darkness and unbelief from Satan, and they communicate it to the church. They profess to have the power of discernment, and discover spots and stains in the character of their brethren and are not slow to communicate their suspicions to other members of the church. They distribute the leaven of distrust, of malice and accusation. And as a result, alienation and estrangement come in between brethren. All these false accusers, though their names are on the church records, are under the control of Satan, and work as his agents to weaken and confuse the church, and divide the brethren of Christ on earth. When this has been accomplished, Satan exults over the divided state of the church, and points the world to the professed followers of Christ, thus bringing the name of Christ into dishonor before the world, and intrenching men in their unbelief and rebellion against God.” The Review and Herald, January 3, 1893

Finally, what is the penalty for being a false witness? “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you. And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” Deuteronomy 19:15–21

“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.” Proverbs 19:5

“Men may think to hide their evil deeds from human eyes, but they cannot deceive God. ‘All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.’ Hebrews 4:13.” Prophets and Kings, 252

“All the way along in the history of the third angel’s message there have been found amongst the believers men who have done much harm to God’s cause. These men are spots in our feasts of charity; tares among the wheat; wolves among the sheep, ready to bite and devour. Delighting to bear false witness, they cruelly injure the reputation of others. Every such one will be rewarded ‘according to his works.’ God ‘hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world.’ ” The Review and Herald, May 12, 1903

Let us keep in mind these words, “Slander covers more ground than we suppose. The command, ‘Thou shalt not bear false witness,’ means very much more than we realize. False witness is borne again and again in flippant speech concerning even the workers whom God has sent. The seeds of envy, of evil thinking and evil speaking, germinate and produce a harvest of their kind, to be garnered by the one who planted the seed. ‘Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.’ ” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, 1106

All scriptures taken from the King James Version.

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at 718-882-3900.

Running to Mischief

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We have learned from the fourth deadly sin that “wicked imaginations” have to do with “thoughts of evil” that are germinated in minds which have become the workshop of the Devil. Jesus made it abundantly clear that out of such minds “… proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” Matthew 15:19. The apostle Paul calls these “wicked imaginations” the works of the flesh because they are the manifestations of the evil thoughts of the evil mind. Paul wrote, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings … .” Galatians 5:19–21, first part

Because we frequently allow our senses, especially our eyes and ears, to meditate upon that which is evil, our minds become impressed. As a consequence, the feet are swift in running to mischief. To run to mischief is to carry out with readiness or without delay what has already been devised in the heart. Such an act is considered by God to be sin and it is the fifth deadly sin which God hates.

As we ponder these seven deadly sins, we see a sequence of operation where one sin leads to the other sin and with each successive sin the evil increases! King Solomon wrote of this fifth deadly sin, “An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief.” Proverbs 6:18

Therefore, the wicked acts that people delight in doing are not disconnected, isolated actions but rather evils which have their origin in the mind which has been corrupted by “thoughts of evil.” Jesus taught, “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O, generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” Matthew 12:33–35

Now, King Solomon used the Hebrew word “rah” which is the English word “mischief” and this word has the following meanings: bad, evil, adversity, affliction, calamity, distress, grief, harm, hurt, misery, sorrow, trouble. This fifth deadly sin is hated by God because the individuals who allow their minds to become the residence of “wicked imaginations” love to cause grief, evil, and harm. They take delight in causing adversity, distress, and trouble anywhere they have the chance of doing so. Whether it be in the home, or the church, or the workplace, they are always ready to hurt others by their ungodly actions.

These people are not concerned about others and the sorrow that they inflict on them; they are more concerned about themselves and what pleases them. Here are three instances recorded in the Bible of individuals whose feet were swift in running to mischief. The first instance pertains to Amnon.

Amnon, David’s first son, was exceedingly sinful and unrepentant (The Great Controversy, 537). In other words, he took pleasure in committing sin and was not sorry for his evil actions. He was accustomed to self-gratification and carrying out his every desire. Scripture records a sad and unfortunate incident which Amnon perpetrated with his beautiful half-sister Tamar who was a virgin. “And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.” 2 Samuel 13:1, 2

Amnon cherished evil imaginations toward Tamar allowing them to dominate his mind for a long time. The Bible says he loved her, but this expression “loved her” actually meant that Amnon desired her, lusted for her. Amnon knew that it was wrong to desire his sister and fearing the consequences, he hesitated in carrying out his evil action. But he continued to burn with lustful desire, and the Bible records that, “Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.” This did not mean that Amnon harbored concern for the disgrace his actions would bring to his sister, the hurt, grief, or sorrow which he would cause her to experience. He knew that his attempt would be difficult only because he could not see how he might get Tamar into his power and he feared the consequences.

However, Amnon’s friend, Jonadab, saw his sadness and questioned him. Understanding his friend’s burning desire, Jonadab suggested a plan. “And Jonadab said unto him, lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand. So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.” Verses 5, 6. Unaware of the plot against Tamar, David did as Amnon asked and sent her to minister to him. We read in verses 11–14 that Amnon demanded that Tamar “lie” with him, and all of her pleading fell upon deaf ears. Overpowered as he was by this burning lust for her, Amnon easily physically overpowered Tamar and forcefully raped her.

Amnon, by raping his half-sister, was successful in carrying out his diabolical plan which brought untold hurt and sorrow to her heart as well as the entire family. He was indifferent to her spiritual welfare. This is what “feet that be swift in running to mischief” will do. After he had abused this daughter of Israel, Amnon, out of anger, ordered her to leave but she refused claiming, “this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her. Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.” Verses 16, 17

When Tamar, humbled and heartbroken, begged for milder treatment, Amnon added insult to the wrong he had already committed against her and ordered his manservant to push her out and lock the door after her. By such an order, the manservant and all Amnon’s people would be led to believe that Tamar was the guilty party and Amnon the victim of her enticement. This for Amnon was not a mistake like that of his father David who sinned against Uriah and Bathsheba. His was an outgrowth of a corrupt mind which was under the full control of evil angels!

The second instance has to do with Absalom. Absalom’s mind was corrupted by cherishing covetousness; he desired his father’s position and this evil thought was finally put into action. The Bible states, “And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” 2 Samuel 15:2–6

The strategy employed by Absalom is revealed, “Fomented by the artful insinuations of the prince, discontent with the government was fast spreading. The praise of Absalom was on the lips of all. He was generally regarded as heir to the kingdom; the people looked upon him with pride as worthy of this high station, and a desire was kindled that he might occupy the throne. ‘So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.’ ” Patriarchs and Prophets, 730

Oh, what sorrow, calamity, hurt and distress Absalom brought upon his father because he allowed “thoughts of evil” to enter and remain in his mind. This action of Absalom demonstrates that this fifth deadly sin has no regard for anyone, whether it be wife, husband, mother, father, brother, sister, etc. No wonder the prophet Jeremiah declared of such a mind, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

The third and final instance involves the presidents and princes of the Median kingdom under Darius. These nobles of the Medes and Persians were filled with jealousy against Daniel because of the promotion that King Darius had given him. Notably, Mrs. White wrote, “The honors bestowed upon Daniel excited the jealousy of the leading men of the kingdom, and they sought for occasion of complaint against him. … Thereupon, the presidents and princes, counseling together, devised a scheme whereby they hoped to accomplish the prophet’s destruction.” Prophets and Kings, 539, 540

Again, like Amnon and Absalom, these men entertained evil thoughts concerning Daniel; and, consequently, wicked actions were the result of feet that are swift in running to mischief. They deceived the king, conspired against Daniel and finally got him thrown in the den of lions. (See Daniel 6.)

Consider this: How many lives have been destroyed or nearly destroyed because of “feet that are swift in running to mischief?” How many innocent persons have been severely harmed and brought to grief because of “thoughts of evil” which were cherished and then acted out against them?

Living the holy life does not mean we will be free from trouble. Daniel understood this. “What a lesson is here presented for all Christians. The keen eyes of jealousy were fixed upon Daniel day after day; their watchings were sharpened by hatred; yet not a word or act of his life could they make appear wrong. And still he made no claim to sanctification, but he did that which was infinitely better—he lived a life of faithfulness and consecration.” The Sanctified Life, 42

How did these leaders arrive at the place to desire the destruction of Daniel?

“Daniel was preferred above the presidents and the princes because an excellent spirit was in him. Fallen angels feared that his influence would weaken their control over the rulers of the kingdom, for Daniel was high in command. The accusing host of evil angels stirred up the presidents and princes to envy and jealousy, and they watched Daniel closely to find some occasion against him that they might report him to the king; but they failed. Then these agents of Satan sought to make his faithfulness to God the cause of his destruction. Evil angels laid out the plan for them, and these agents readily carried it into effect. The king was ignorant of the subtle mischief purposed against Daniel.” Testimonies, 295, 296

Brothers and sisters, this hymn should be our prayer:

 

O, let me walk with Thee, my God,

As Enoch walked in days of old;

Place Thou my trembling hand in Thine,

And sweet communion with me hold;

E’en though the path I may not see,

Yet, Jesus, let me walk with Thee.

 

I cannot, dare not, walk alone;

The tempest rages in the sky,

A thousand snares beset my feet,

A thousand foes are lurking nigh.

Still Thou the raging of the sea,

O Master! let me walk with Thee.

 

If I may rest my hand in Thine,

I’ll count the joys of earth but loss,

And firmly, bravely journey on;

I’ll bear the banner of the cross

Till Zion’s glorious gates I see;

Yet, Saviour, let me walk with Thee.

All scripture is from the King James Bible.

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at 718-882-3900.

Unguarded Avenues

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John Swinton, a Scottish-American journalist and the chief editorial writer of the New York Times during the 1860s, made the following remarks to his fellow journalists at a banquet given in his honor in 1880: “There is no such thing, at this date of the world’s history, in America, as an independent press. You know it and I know it.

“There is not one of you who dares to write your honest opinions, and if you did, you know beforehand that it would never appear in print. I am paid weekly for keeping my honest opinion out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for similar things, and any of you who would be so foolish as to write honest opinions would be out on the streets looking for another job. If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my paper, before 24 hours my occupation would be gone.

“The business of the journalist is to destroy the truth, to lie outright, to pervert, to vilify, to fawn at the feet of mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread. You know it and I know it, and what folly is this toasting an independent press?

“We are the tools and vassals of rich men behind the scenes. We are the jumping jacks, they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes.” (Source: Labor’s Untold Story, by Richard O. Boyer and Herbert M. Morais, published by United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America, NY, 1955/1979.)

This is quite an honest admission of the truth. It provides us with the sad reality that we are but a deteriorating mass of humanity. I think it would be safe to say that most, if not all of us, are affected by the media in one way or another. Massive technological advancements in the media industry have occurred from 1880 until now, and we no longer deal only with the written page, but also Silicon Valley media ammunitions. This media empire is, with great success, the shaper of the human population’s world view at this present time.

In his book Secret Societies and Psychological Warfare, Michael A. Hoffman II tells us of the plan for the reshaping of our minds.

“The battle for the mind of North America will be fought in the video arena, the videodrome.” (p. 92.)

“If we consider the hours in a day most Americans spend in front of a TV and add to that the hours children spend immersed in the digital world of videogames and add to that their forthcoming immersion in computer-simulated worlds of supposed ‘history’ and ‘travel’ in their schools, we see the gradual creation of a population of dwellers-in-perpetual-illusion.” (p. 94.)

A former Amway Crown Direct distributor Bunny Marks concluded, “What you see is what you’ll be.”

In the first part of this fourth deadly sin which God hates (LandMarks May 2025 issue, Wicked Imaginations), we discovered that the majority of people who are living today have “a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations” (Proverbs 6:18). They allow their minds to become the devil’s workshop by cherishing “wicked imaginations” or “thoughts of iniquity.” It was made clear that we must strictly guard the avenues to our souls, especially our eyes and ears, because Satan will use these senses, if left unguarded, to bring about our ruin.

As we examine in a deeper way this fourth deadly sin, I would like to share with you some alarming statistics that will help us to understand just how very serious Mr. Swinton’s assertions are for us today. Social media, while it can be beneficial to us, is also used by the devil to disconnect people from Jesus Christ and destroy the Christian religion.

  • The United States—a self-declared Christian nation—is the largest producer and exporter of hardcore pornographic DVDs and web material. According to British authorities, there are at least 4.5 million porn sites, of which more than half are located in the US.
  • More than 40 million Americans are regular visitors to porn sites. The average visit lasts six minutes and 29 seconds.
  • The porn industry’s annual revenue is more than the NFL, NBA, and MLB combined. It is also more than the combined revenues of ABC, CBS, and NBC.
  • 47% of families in the US reported that pornography is a problem in their home.
  • Pornography use increases the marital infidelity rate by more than 300%.
  • Eleven is the average age that a child is first exposed to porn, and 94% of children will see porn by the age of 14.
  • On average, teenagers spend five hours and 38 minutes online every day. Nearly half of teens admit to taking action to hide their online behavior from parents.
  • 56% of American divorces involve one party having an “obsessive interest” in pornographic websites.
  • 70% of Christian youth pastors report that they have had at least one teenager come to them for help in dealing with pornography in the past 12 months.
  • 68% of churchgoing men and more than 50% of pastors view porn on a regular basis. Of young Christian adults ages 18-24, 76% actively search for porn.
  • 59% of pastors said married men seek their help for porn use.
  • 33% of women ages 25 and under search for porn at least once per month.
  • Only 13% of self-identified Christian women say they never watch porn—87% of Christian women have watched porn.
  • 55% of married men and 25% of married women say they watch porn at least once a month.
  • 57% of pastors say porn addiction is the most damaging issue in their congregation. And 69% say porn has adversely impacted the church.
  • $3,075.64 is spent on porn every second on the internet. The United States was the country with the most traffic in 2019.
  • According to a Gallup poll taken in June 2018, “More than four in 10 Americans (43%) now say pornography is morally acceptable.”
  • In 2008, a survey of more than 560 college students was taken. It revealed:
  • 69% of boys and 55% of girls have seen same-sex intercourse on line.
  • 32% of boys and 18% of girls have seen bestiality online.
  • 88% of scenes in porn films contain acts of physical aggression, and 49% of scenes contain verbal aggression.
  • Those who frequently consume Internet pornography are less likely to marry because they see pornography as a marital sexual gratification substitute.
  • 70% of wives of sex addicts could be diagnosed with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
  • 82% of tweens (a child between the ages of 10 and 12) and 94.50% of teens expressed or experienced violent subject matter/thoughts.
  • 09% of tweens and 74.61% of teens were involved in a self-harm/suicidal situation.
  • 35% of tweens and 93.31% of teens engaged in conversations surrounding drugs/alcohol.

These statistics are very troubling because they illustrate how what we look at and listen to affects our minds and behavior.

The Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force recently found 46 published research studies demonstrating that exposure to pornography puts individuals at increased risk for committing sexual offenses.

An article in the April 15, 2018, Christianity Today magazine entitled, “3 Ways Social Media Endangers a Christian’s Life” reveals why it is important that Christians guard the avenues to their souls.

  • It allows room for secret sin. Here’s the most dangerous effect of all: social media is a perfect breeding ground for secret sin.
  • Handled the wrong way, it will steal precious time.
  • It pollutes the mind.

In We Become What We Watch, Abigail Dodd made the following remarks:

“J. Gresham Machen says, ‘When any new fact enters the human mind it must proceed to make itself at home; it must proceed to introduce itself to the previous denizens (occupants) of the house. That process of introduction of new facts is called thinking. And, contrary to what seems to be quite generally supposed, thinking cannot be avoided by the Christian.’

“Whether we are reflecting on a fact at any given moment or not, we are always thinking, and that thinking shapes us in profound ways. … whenever new facts enter our mind, we are engaged in a type of thinking—whether we want to be or not. Watching shows is one of the most passive forms of thinking, which makes it one of the most powerful. Because we are not engaged in active thinking, we allow any number of morally-suspect thoughts to enter our mind unhindered. These thoughts immediately get comfortable in their new home. … To say this is a cunning move by our adversary is an understatement. Under the guise of entertainment, evil thoughts often move into our minds and entrench themselves unopposed.” [Author’s emphasis.]

“Your imagination was not given you to be allowed to run riot and have its own way without any effort at restraint or discipline. If the thoughts are wrong, the feelings will be wrong; and the thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character. When you decide that as Christians you are not required to restrain your thoughts and feelings, you are brought under the influence of evil angels and invite their presence and their control.” Mind, Character, and Personality, Vol. 2, 593

Mrs. White is very clear that our thoughts and feelings shape our characters. She also highlights one particular way that the imagination is corrupted.

“Among the most dangerous resorts for pleasure is the theater. Instead of being a school of morality and virtue, as is so often claimed, it is the very hotbed of immorality. Vicious habits and sinful propensities are strengthened and confirmed by these entertainments. Low songs, lewd gestures, expressions, and attitudes, deprave the imagination and debase the morals. Every youth who habitually attends such exhibitions will be corrupted in principle. There is no influence in our land more powerful to poison the imagination, to destroy religious impressions, and to blunt the relish for the tranquil pleasures and sober realities of life than theatrical amusements. The love for these scenes increases with every indulgence, as the desire for intoxicating drinks strengthens with its use. The only safe course is to shun the theater, the circus, and every other questionable place of amusement.” Testimonies, Vol. 4, 652, 653

The imagination is the vehicle by which the mind becomes depraved.

“The heart is corrupted through the imagination. The mind takes pleasure in contemplating scenes which awaken the lower and baser passions. These vile images, seen through defiled imagination, corrupt the morals and prepare the deluded, infatuated beings to give loose rein to lustful passions. Then follow sins and crimes which drag beings formed in the image of God down to a level with the beasts, sinking them at last in perdition. Avoid reading and seeing things which will suggest impure thoughts.” Ibid., Vol. 2, 410

Corinth, being a metropolis, was a center of all manner of immorality and sexual perversion. The Corinthian church was surrounded and likewise affected by such corrupting influences, resulting in a very serious problem; the Corinthians impure and immoral thoughts translated into impure and immoral actions. The apostle Paul had to address the church members about this matter.

“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.” 1 Corinthians 5:1

“Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. … Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:13, 18

“Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.” 1 Corinthians 10:8

“And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.” 2 Corinthians 12:21

The word fornication used here by Paul, is the Greek word porneia from which we get the English word pornography. “The word pornography is composed of two Greek words. The first is porne, meaning “harlot,” which is akin to the word pernanai, meaning “to sell.” The second word is graphein, meaning “to write.” In other words, pornography is literally “the writing of harlots.” (Source: Richard & Linda Sauer, Pornography: A Distortion of God’s Plan, March 29, 2007.)

“The tentacles of pornography have invaded almost every area of our lives through TV, movies, sports, music, the arts, the news media, video gaming, marketing, magazines, and the Internet. Differing degrees and aspects of pornography are everywhere. Many of these far-reaching tentacles go unnoticed and are even embraced by mainstream Americans—Christians and non-Christians alike. What once was considered unacceptable has become completely commonplace.” Ibid., 1

We must heed Peter’s warning.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Eve sinned because:

  • She provided an opportunity for the evil one.
  • She was curious.
  • She questioned God’s word.
  • Her thoughts resulted in disobedience.
  • She became corrupted.

Satan appealed to Eve’s senses and played with her imagination. Consequently, she laid aside God’s word, believed a lie, and sin entered this planet! (See Genesis 3:1–7; Patriarchs and Prophets, 55.)

Helen Howarth Lemmel appeals to us in her song Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”

“Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at 718-882-3900.

Joy By and By

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Franklin E. Beldin was a prolific hymn writer and a Seventh-day Adventist. He was born March 21, 1858, in Battle Creek, Michigan. His mother was Ellen G. White’s older sister. He began writing in his late teens after the family moved to California. However, in 1881, his ill health took him to Colorado where he met and married Harriet C. McDearmon. They had a daughter, Linnie Louise. They eventually returned to Battle Creek where Franklin became involved in the Adventist publishing work.

Franklin was known as “the sweet singer of Israel.” He had the ability to spontaneously compose both music and poetry together to fit the sermon topic as it was being presented. Then, he and Harriet would sing the newly-composed song at the end of the sermon, giving the manuscript to the preacher.

He served as music editor and contributor along with Edwin Barnes and J. Edson White on the compilation of a number of Adventist hymn books. He is especially associated with the Christ in Song hymnbook, Adventism’s most popular songbook.

Sadly, Franklin had disputes with the Review and Herald Publishing Association over the ownership of the copyrights on his music. For several reasons of his own, he also developed an animosity toward his aunt, Ellen White.

At the beginning of the 20th century, after a renewal in his spiritual life, he would reconcile with her for a time, only to turn away from her again over the continuing disputes regarding the publication of his music. He remained embittered against her and church leadership to the end of his life.

The 1941 Church Hymnal included 22 of Franklin’s songs and hymns. The 1985 Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal includes 12 hymns and four tunes.

Franklin E. Belden died in Marshall, Michigan, on December 2, 1945, at the age of 87.

My personal favorite of his hymns is Joy By and By. Written in 1886, he composed both music and words.

O there’ll be joy when the work is done,
Joy when the reapers gather home,
Bringing the sheaves at set of sun
To the new Jerusalem.

Joy By and By

Sweet are the songs that we hope to sing,
Grateful the thanks our hearts shall bring,
Praising forever Christ our King
In the New Jerusalem.

Pure are the joys that await us there,
Many the golden mansions fair;
Jesus Himself doth them prepare,
In the New Jerusalem.

Joy, joy, there’ll be joy by and by,
Joy, joy where the joys never die;
Joy, joy; for the day draweth nigh
When the workers gather home.

Source: Encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id+D8YK&highlight+y; hymnary.org/text/o_therell_be_joy_when_the_work_is_done

Wicked Imaginations

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“An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.”

Proverbs 6:18, first part

There are seven deadly sins that God hates, and they are noticeably the spring from which all sin flows. However, it is a simple fact that too many people are not aware of the real issue which plagues us, that gives rise to our overt responses, dictates our actions, and molds our characters.

The children’s Sabbath School song still rings true.

“Watch your eyes, watch your eyes, what they see

“Watch your ears, watch your ears, what they hear

“Watch your lips, watch your lips, what they say

“Watch your hands, watch your hands, what they do

“Watch your feet, watch your feet, where they go

“For there’s a Father up above, looking down in tender love

“Watch your eyes, your ears, your lips, your hands, your feet.”

Interestingly, the song begins with the key entry points to our minds, our eyes and ears—what we see and what we hear, what Inspiration describes as “avenues of the soul.” Next it addresses what we say with our lips, do with our hands, and where our feet take us. This is a step-by-step process that begins with what we see and the internal reaction it invokes, coupled with what we hear, which causes us to say, do, and go. Our lips express what is in our minds (Luke 6:45), our hands are the instruments which perform what is in our soul, and our feet are the vehicles that transport us to where we need to go in order to fulfill what has been hatched in our minds.

Sadly, the majority of the time, the things which we look at and listen to are not wholesome and suitable for the formation of a moral and Christlike character! How important then that we guard mainly what we see and hear.

The Wisest Man

Solomon lays out a formula for the preservation of the mind.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:23–27

“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” (Nephesh, in Hebrew means “heart, mind, soul, life, or the entirety or essence of a person”) Proverbs 23:7

“Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.” Proverbs 24:1, 2

“The heart is deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matthew 12:34

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are [the things] which defile a man … .” Matthew 15:18–20 (Kardia, the Greek word for heart used by Matthew in these passages, means “the thoughts or feelings, the mind.”)

“An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.” Proverbs 6:18. This is the fourth deadly sin which God hates. According to the Hebrew, “wicked imaginations” literally means “thoughts of iniquity,” and all of this begins in the heart or the mind. Let us remember that there are evil thoughts in the minds of all human beings: but the devising, fabricating of them, and thus making the mind into the devil’s workshop, is the mark of utter depravity and wickedness, and therefore is repugnant to God.

This was the state of mind of the majority of the people in Noah’s day. Moses records, “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5. In Paul’s day, it was no different, for he tells us of the spiritual disposition of the people of his time, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Romans 1:21

We also read Paul’s account in his letter to the Ephesians, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” Ephesians 4:17–19

The question that we need to answer is, how does the mind become the fountain of “wicked imaginations” or “thoughts of iniquity?” Paul gives us the answer.

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 1:28–32

People’s minds become the reservoir for “thoughts of iniquity” because they choose to reject the ways of God for the ways of Satan. They find pleasure in dwelling upon the things of unrighteousness rather than holy things. This was the attitude of the church people who had apostatized from the Lord in Jeremiah’s days.

“Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now everyone from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good. And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will everyone do the imagination of his evil heart.” Jeremiah 18:11, 12

Furthermore, Paul told Timothy that in the last days some people would have “their conscience seared (to brand; to render insensitive) with a hot iron.” 1 Timothy 4:2

Understanding the gravity of the matter, the servant of the Lord wrote, “All should guard the senses, lest Satan gain victory over them; for these are the avenues of the soul.

“You will have to become a faithful sentinel over your eyes, ears, and all your senses if you would control your mind and prevent vain and corrupt thoughts from staining your soul. The power of grace alone can accomplish this most desirable work.” Counsels for the Church, 166

And Peter states, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13

“The apostle sought to teach the believers how important it is to keep the mind from wandering to forbidden themes, or from spending its energies on trifling subjects. Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices, must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind must not be left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls may suggest. The heart must be faithfully sentineled, or evils without will awaken evils within, and the soul will wander in darkness.” The Review and Herald, July 25, 1912

We must ask ourselves, what do I relish looking at and listening to on social media (Facebook, SnapChat, X, etc.), in books and magazines, on television and radio, and online gaming? Do the things that I look at or listen to cause me to love Jesus more? Do they encourage me to live the holy life? Or do they inspire me to desire those things that are ungodly? Does online gaming, which often depicts stealing, murder, war and death, and other violations of God’s law pull me away from things which pertain to Jesus Christ? Do these social media mediums reinforce in my mind unholy traits that cause me to speak and act in unChristlike ways?

Jesus used a similar expression as Peter, when He said, “Let your loins be girded about … .” Luke 12:35. What must the Christian gird his or her mind with? “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth … .” Ephesians 6:14. Jesus is the Truth. The word girt used in this verse has the same meaning as the word gird used by Jesus and Peter. It means “gird all around.” Why is it so important that we do this?

“Satan and his angels are busy creating a paralyzed condition of the senses so that cautions, warnings, and reproofs shall not be heard; or, if heard, that they shall not take effect upon the heart and reform the life.” Counsels for the Church, 166

“All who name the name of Christ need to watch and pray and guard the avenues of the soul; for Satan is at work to corrupt and destroy if the least advantage is given him.” Testimonies, Vol. 3, 476

We also are reminded, “It is a law both of the intellectual and the spiritual nature, that by beholding, we become changed. The mind gradually adapts itself to the subjects upon which it is allowed to dwell. It becomes assimilated to that which it is accustomed to love and reverence.” The Great Controversy (1888), 555

“The mind of a man or woman does not come down in a moment from purity and holiness to depravity, corruption, and crime. It takes time to transform the human to the divine, or to degrade those formed in the image of God to the brutal or the satanic. By beholding we become changed.” The Adventist Home, 330

Sadly, we daily witness the display of “wicked imaginations” or “thoughts of iniquity.” These “wicked imaginations” are reflected on the billboards along our streets, on the television and social media, in books and magazines, from the music of the day. They speak to mankind’s hopeless condition. God abhors this fourth deadly sin because it corrupts the mind and pollutes the motives, thus leaving the soul morally and spiritually bankrupt.

A man in such a condition has no desire for spiritual things, but instead craves the unfruitful works of darkness. His conscience is rendered insensitive to any and everything that is holy. It is interesting that this fourth deadly sin is no respecter of persons. It doesn’t care who you are. Much like a boa constrictor wraps itself around its prey, squeezing ever more tightly, until it dies and is consumed. This kind of sin holds its captive prisoner until he or she becomes spiritually and morally depraved, dead to righteousness, as a result.

But Jesus offers hope. “Blessed (happy) are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8. Those who do not entertain “wicked imaginations” will be happy because they will have peace in this world and will spend an eternity with God in the next.

May David’s prayer be our prayer, too. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

[All Scriptures from the KJV.]

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at 718-882-3900.

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

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Louisa M.R. Stead was born in England in 1850. As a young girl, she wanted to be a missionary. At 21, she immigrated to America, living in Cincinnati, Ohio. While attending a camp meeting in Urbana, Ohio, her desire to be a missionary grew, and her ambitions to serve in China sadly were dashed because of her frail health.

In 1875, Louisa married George Stead and moved to New York City. One summer day in 1880, Louisa and her husband, George, took their daughter Lily to Long Island Sound for a picnic. While enjoying the day by the seashore, they heard cries for help from a young boy struggling against the tide offshore. Without hesitation, George plunged into the water to save him.

But as Louisa and Lily watched from the shore, both George and the boy drowned. In those darkest days following her loss, and when grief was the most profound, Louisa turned to the one constant in her life: Jesus Christ.

As Louisa poured out her heart through prayer and tears, a divine inspiration began to stir within her soul, and the refrain of this beloved hymn was born. Through the words of this hymn, Louisa expressed her complete reliance on God’s promises and found peace and solace as she trusted her Saviour to carry her through this trial, as He had throughout her life. William J. Kirkpatrick set the lyrics of ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus to music, and the hymn became a beacon of hope for Louisa and Lily as they navigated their grief together and many others down through time.

The impact of the hymn is evident by its popularity and ability to touch hearts within churches across cultural barriers. It remains an enduring testament of unshakable faith amid sorrow and adversity. It serves as a reminder that we are never alone when we place our trust in our loving Saviour, as every Christian believer should.

As you sing or listen to this cherished hymn today, may you find strength and solace in knowing that you have a Saviour who loves you deeply and will carry you through every storm life brings your way.

Sources: hymncharts.com/2023/05/29/the-story-behind-tis-so-sweet-to-trust-in-jesus; Wikipedia.org/wiki/%27Tis_So_Sweet_to_Trust_in_Jesus

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me
‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ‘tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

The Hand that Sheds Innocent Blood

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In recent years, the United States has witnessed a dramatic rise in murder cases. According to the International Business Times, “The total number of people killed last year (2020) stands at 21,500 and the majority of them were in the nation’s largest cities. Some like New York City had 500 murders in 2020 versus 319 in 2019.” Also, Fox News reported that, “The 2021 United States murder rate is estimated to be nearly as high as it was 25 years ago, when more than 19,600 people were killed nationwide.”

The United States experienced possibly the highest surge of all time in mass shootings during 2022. The Insider reported that “The Gun Violence Archive recorded 647 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2022. More than 44,000 people died due to gun violence overall in 2022, according to the Archive.”

There are many reasons given for the continuous rise in the number of violent deaths. However, whatever the cause may be, taking the life of an innocent person is totally unacceptable and is offensive to God!

Seung-Hui Cho, a student at Virginia Tech, gunned down 32 innocent people—27 students and five faculty members—on the college campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, on April 16, 2007. An additional six others were injured while attempting to escape his rampage by jumping out of windows. It is the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. Cho committed suicide before police could reach him.

Adam Lanza, after killing his mother in their home, shot and killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, on December 14, 2012, before taking his own life.

Nikolas Cruz killed 17 students and injured 17 others in a shooting spree at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018. He was apprehended, found guilty, and is serving a sentence of life without parole. At the time, this was the deadliest mass shooting at a high school in U.S. history.

Salvador Ramos shot his grandmother during a fight, and then drove to Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022, and fatally shot 19 students and two teachers, injuring 17 others. Ramos was killed during an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement.

Payton Gendron, an 18-year-old white male, drove 200 miles on May 14, 2022, to the East Side neighborhood of Buffalo, New York. Stopping at the Tops Friends Markets supermarket, he opened fire in the parking lot, killing three and wounding a fourth. Upon entering the supermarket, he continued firing until he had fatally shot ten people, all of them African Americans and injured three others. He was able to livestream part of his attack, but the service provider was able to quickly shut it down. He was tried and found guilty of all New York state charges, and is serving 11 concurrent life sentences without parole. However, federal charges are still ongoing and federal prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.

Do Not Hate …

The act of murder—hands that shed innocent blood—is the third deadly sin that God hates.

The sixth commandment teaches, “Thou shalt not kill.” Exodus 20:13. The Hebrew word for kill—ratsach means literally “to dash in pieces (a human being).” So, the hands that shed innocent blood belong to a person who cherishes a murderous and cruel disposition; a person who, rather than see their plan frustrated, will kill even those who have done them no harm.

To the rich young ruler who wanted to know what was required of him in order to be saved, Jesus made plain to him the obvious meaning of the sixth commandment.

“Jesus said, ‘Thou shalt do no murder,’ ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery,’ ‘Thou shalt not steal,’ ‘Thou shalt not bear false witness.’ ” Matthew 19:18

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave the clearest understanding of the sixth commandment, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Matthew 5:21, 22

Here, Jesus seemed to contrast what His hearers had been taught by their religious leaders with what He had imparted to them. However, there was no difference in what they were taught as stated in the Old Testament concerning the sixth commandment except that their teachers failed to emphasize the far-reaching import of “Thou shalt not kill.” The Jewish teachers restricted their teaching to the actual act of murder—the taking of a person’s life unlawfully. Jesus, who wrote and gave the law to Moses at Sinai, stood before these Jews on the Mount of Beatitude to remind them of the broader meaning of the sixth commandment.

More Than an Act

“Ye have heard … But I say unto you.” The Jewish rulers taught the people that murder, which would violate the sixth commandment, was only an action. But for Jesus, murder is not limited to just the physical act. Murder has more to do with the intent of the heart, the evil motive that oftentimes is born out of the spirit of jealousy, revenge, anger, and hatred—all characteristics of our sinful nature.

For this reason, God commanded the Hebrews, “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart …

“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:17, 18

Jesus describes murder as first existing in the mind. The malice and revenge which would delight in deeds of violence are themselves characteristics of murder. Jesus goes further still, and says, “Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.”

“All acts of injustice that tend to shorten life; the spirit of hatred and revenge, or the indulgence of any passion that leads to injurious acts toward others, or causes us even to wish them harm (for ‘whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer’); a selfish neglect of caring for the needy or suffering; all self-indulgence or unnecessary deprivation or excessive labor that tends to injure health—all these are, to a greater or less degree, violations of the sixth commandment.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 308

Why is it that we are commanded not to hate, be angry at, or carry a grudge in our hearts towards our fellow human beings? John the beloved gives us at least three reasons.

“But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.” 1 John 2:11

“Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3: 15

“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” 1 John 4:20

Webster’s Dictionary defines murder as: “to kill a person unlawfully and with malice.” Thus, the actual or literal act of murder is in most, if not all cases, preceded and therefore precipitated by a degree of evil cherished towards a person. Consequently, this actual act of murder is the end product of a series of events.

“Envy is the offspring of pride, and if it is entertained in the heart, it will lead to hatred, and eventually to revenge and murder. Satan displayed his own character in exciting the fury of Saul against him [David] who had never done him harm.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 651

Why Does God Hate Murder?

God hates murder because it originated with the devil who “was a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44). God hates murder because it’s a satanic trait which corrupts the human mind and separates the person from God. God hates murder because the murderer has no respect for the sacred gift of life. God hates murder because it is an offspring of pride.

Speaking specifically to Seventh-day Adventists, Mrs. White wrote, “The members of the church are to be faithful one to another. It is a sin to cherish anger against anyone. Christ looks upon anger as murder. … A man may think he has occasion for feeling angry, but his passionate [spoken in anger] words are a savor of death unto death. He who utters them is under the control of Satan. In heaven, his wicked railing is placed in the same list as swearing.” The Southern Watchman, January 1, 1903

Is there any occasion when the Christian is allowed to be angry, and if so, when? The apostle Paul counseled the Ephesians, saying, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Ephesians 4:26

“There is an anger that is not of this criminal nature. A certain kind of indignation is justifiable, under some circumstances, even in the followers of Christ. When they see God dishonored, His name reviled, and the precious cause of truth brought into disrepute by those who profess to revere it, when they see the innocent oppressed and persecuted, a righteous indignation stirs their soul; such anger, born of sensitive morals, is not a sin.” The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 2, 220

The experience of Moses when he threw down the tables of stone (Exodus 32:19) is a perfect example of this kind of anger. The servant of the Lord informs us, “The breaking of the tables of stone was but a representation of the fact that Israel had broken the covenant which they had so recently made with God. It is a righteous indignation against sin, which springs from zeal for the glory of God, not that anger prompted by self-love or wounded ambition, which is referred to in the scripture ‘Be ye angry, and sin not.’ Such was the anger of Moses.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 101

God Means What He Says

God is abundantly clear that murder is more than the act of snuffing out the life of another.

“Those who at any supposed provocation feel at liberty to indulge anger or resentment are opening the heart to Satan.” Mind, Character, and Personality, Vol. 2, 516

“If we indulge anger, lust, covetousness, hatred, selfishness, or any other sin, we become servants of sin. ‘No man can serve two masters’ (Matthew 6:24). If we serve sin, we cannot serve Christ.” Ibid.

The Bible clearly states that there will be no murderers in the kingdom of heaven.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers … shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

“If one murderer were permitted to go unpunished, he would by his evil influence and cruel violence subvert others. This would result in a condition of things similar to that which existed before the flood. God must punish murderers.” Sermons and Talks, Vol. 2, 186, 187

“The spirit of hatred and revenge originated with Satan, and it led him to put to death the Son of God. Whoever cherishes malice or unkindness is cherishing the same spirit, and its fruit will be unto death. In the revengeful thought, the evil deed lies enfolded, as the plant in the seed.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 56

“Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers … .” Revelation 22:14, 15

It is not the raised hand alone that does harm or brings death to our fellow man, making us one who sheds innocent blood. If we harbor negative and hate-filled thoughts and emotions against our neighbor, then murder lives in our hearts and will keep us from heavenly fellowship. But if we surrender our lives to God, allowing the work of transformation to be done, then we can work with Him in purity of mind and heart.

“Is there not a miracle performed every time a soul who is at enmity with God is converted, and learns to love God and to keep His commandments? Is it not a miracle that we can break from the bondage of Satan? Enmity against Satan is not natural to the human heart. It has to be put into the heart by the manifestation of divine power. It is a miracle when the heart is changed, and we love Jesus, and desire to do those things that please Him. We then want to come into close unity with Him … .

“Let us elevate our souls by faith in Christ, for He alone can cleanse us from sin, and purify us from all unrighteousness. Without Him we can do nothing. Let us be true to God; let us pray that the Holy Spirit may be poured out upon us.” The Signs of the Times, April 11, 1892

[All scriptures are from the King James Version]

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at 718-882-3900.

The Lying Tongue

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On January 26, 1998, the American people heard these now famous and historic words: “I want to say one thing to the American people. I want you to listen to me. I’m going to say this again: I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. I never told anybody to lie, not a single time, never. These allegations are false, and I need to go back to work for the American people.” Seven months later on August 27, 1998, President Bill Clinton made the following confession, “I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate, in fact, it was wrong.” This action by President Clinton helped to solidify lying as a major character trait of this nation.

According to an article entitled, “The Destructive Effect of Deception:”

“The average American lies 11 times per week. To most of us, lying may seem easier than telling the truth.” (Ben Gustafson, January 26, 2017, Zephyrus, the official student-run news publication of Edina High School.)

According to a recent poll, “By the age of four, 90% of children have learned the concept of lying. Based on studies performed in the past, it is estimated that 60% of adults cannot have a ten-minute conversation without lying at least once. Within those ten minutes, an average of three lies were told. … Most people lie an average of 4 times a day which equates to 1,460 lies every year.” (Brandon Gaille, 25 Nose Growing Statistics on Lying, May 20, 2017)

“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16–19

As we continue our study of the seven deadly sins that God hates, let’s look at the second deadly sin, the lying tongue.

12%of adults admit to telling a lie often or sometimes
80%of women admit to telling harmless half-truths occasionally
31%of people admit to lying on their resumes
13%of patients lie to their doctor
32%of patients stretched the truth to their doctor
30%lie about their diet and exercise regiments
6 lies/daymen tell lies to their partner, boss, or colleagues
3 lies/daywomen tell to their partner, boss, or colleagues
more commonto lie during phone calls than face-to-face chats
1 lie in 7is discovered as far as liars can tell
10%of lies are just exaggerations and 60% were outright deceptions
70%of liars claim they would tell their lies again

Speaking false statements in our contemporary society is not only habitual, it is also an acceptable behavior. Nevertheless, God hates lying.

It is interesting that even though the Lord hates lying, there are those who see lying as something beneficial to mankind. In Psychology Today, May 1, 1997, Allison Kornet wrote an article titled “The Truth About Lying,” in which she quoted a psychologist who admits, “a certain amount of self-delusion—basically, lying to yourself—is essential to good mental health.” Also, that “… lies are life sustaining.”

Leonard Saxe, Ph.D., a polygraph expert and professor of psychology at Brandeis University, says, “Lying has long been a part of everyday life. We couldn’t get through the day without being deceptive.” Ibid.

Allison Kornet also remarked, “Incidentally, when researchers refer to lying, they don’t include the mindless pleasantries or polite equivocations we offer each other in passing, such as ‘I’m fine, thanks’ or ‘No trouble at all.’ An ‘official’ lie actually misleads, deliberately conveying a false impression. So complimenting a friend’s awful haircut or telling a creditor that the check is in the mail both qualify.” Ibid.

In our modern era, we have learnt to accept what we call “white lies” and “kind lies.” Dr. Bella DePaulo says, “Though some lies produce interpersonal friction, others may actually serve as a kind of harmless social lubricant. ‘They make it easier for people to get along.’ ” Ibid.

Many people will admit that they have come to the point in their lives where they cannot live without lying. The common cliché is “Everybody lies.” Heads of state, politicians, CEOs, security officials, doctors, religious leaders, professors, attorneys, husbands and wives, adults, children—everyone, it seems, lies.

The ninth commandment forbids us to lie, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16

“False speaking in any matter, every attempt or purpose to deceive our neighbor, is here included. An intention to deceive is what constitutes falsehood. By a glance of the eye, a motion of the hand, an expression of the countenance, a falsehood may be told as effectually as by words. All intentional overstatement, every hint or insinuation calculated to convey an erroneous or exaggerated impression, even the statement of facts in such a manner as to mislead, is falsehood. This precept forbids every effort to injure our neighbor’s reputation by misrepresentation or evil surmising, by slander or tale bearing. Even the intentional suppression of truth, by which injury may result to others, is a violation of the ninth commandment.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 309

Regardless of how human beings feel about lying, God’s attitude regarding lying will never change. As far as He is concerned, the act of lying demands the death penalty. This is evidenced when He literally killed a husband and a wife for simply lying. “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?

“While it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in thine heart? You have not lied to men but to God.’  

“Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down, and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

“Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, ‘Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?’ She said, ‘Yes, for so much.’ Then Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.’ Then immediately she fell down at his feet, and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.” Acts 5:1–10. (See also The Acts of the Apostles, 71–73.)

Jesus tells us the definition of a lie and who is the originator of it in John 8:44, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

The phrase “does not stand in the truth” defines a lie; it is antithetical (opposite) to truth. In Greek, the word lie that Jesus used to describe the devil means “a falsehood, to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood.” Therefore, lying has much to do with deception. It is not only the opposite of truth but also anti-truth; it stands against the truth and seeks to take the place of it.

The dictionary defines a lie as “a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth.” John agrees with Jesus that deception is Satan’s nature, “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9. God hates lying because it originated with Satan, who specifically crafted lies to lead God’s creatures completely out of the way of truth, completely away from the Lord who is the truth.

Inspiration tells us, “The rebellion which took place in heaven under the power of a lie, and the deception which led Adam and Eve to disobey the law of God, opened the floodgates of woe upon our world.” Testimonies, Vol. 6, 190. “It was by a lie that he first gained control over men, and thus he still works to overthrow God’s kingdom in the earth and to bring men under his power.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 37, 38

According to Jesus, lying is the chief weapon Satan uses to overthrow human beings and to destroy God’s kingdom on earth. Consequently, all those who practice lying are children of the devil.

How does lying affect our health?

“According to a 2015 review article, constant lying is associated with an array of negative health outcomes including high blood pressure, increased heart rate, vasoconstriction, and elevated stress hormones in the blood.” (Bill Sullivan, Psychology Today, January 5, 2020)

According to U.S. News and World Report, “Lying is thought to trigger the release of stress hormones, increasing heart rate and blood pressure. Stress reduces your body’s number of infection-fighting white blood cells, and over the years, could contribute to lower-back pain, tension headaches, a rapid heartbeat, menstrual problems, and even infertility.” (Angela Haupt, How Lying Affects Your Health, August 20, 2012)

What are the spiritual implications for lying?

  1. “Every lying tongue will be silenced. Angels’ hands will overthrow the deceptive schemes that are being formed.” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 1647
  2. “Getting treasures by a lying tongue is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.” Proverbs 21:6
  3. “The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” Proverbs 12:19
  4. “Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18
  5. “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.” Proverbs 12:22
  6. “A righteous man hates lying, but a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.” Proverbs 13:5

A person who loves and practices lying will suffer the penalty for lying. This was the case of Gehazi, Elisha’s servant. “But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, ‘Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.’ ” 2 Kings 5:20 (Also read verses 21–27.) Gehazi suffered the consequence of lying.

Common Reasons for Lying

To save face
Shift blame
Avoid confrontation
To get one’s way
To be nice
To make oneself feel better

Study participants admitted to lying the most to:

86% parents

75% friends

73% siblings

69% spouses

Source: thetreetop.com/statistics/lying

“Let not one soul think that he can hide from God’s wrath behind a lie, for God will strip from the soul the refuge of lies.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 182

Heaven has no place for liars.

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.” Revelation 22:14, 15

“Satan offers to men the kingdoms of the world if they will yield to him the supremacy. Many do this and sacrifice heaven. It is better to die than to sin; better to want than to defraud; better to hunger than to lie. Let all who are tempted meet Satan with these words: ‘Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord; that walketh in His ways. For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.’ Here is a condition and a promise which will be unmistakably realized. Happiness and prosperity will be the result of serving the Lord.” Testimonies, Vol. 4, 495

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at 718-882-3900.

The Proud Look

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Some sins are regarded with more disdain than others, often shaped by culture and religious persuasions. Some consider sexual sins to be at the top of the list when assigning the degree of wickedness, while others might feel disrespect is a much more egregious sin. For some religious groups, sacrilege is the sin of all sins, and the list goes on and on.

Interestingly, while there are degrees of sin in the Bible, we must note that God does not view matters as we mortals do. A great offence or trifling matter to us may not be deemed the same by God.

“God does not regard all sins as of equal magnitude; there are degrees of guilt in His estimation, as well as in that of man; but however trifling this or that wrong act may seem in the eyes of men, no sin is small in the sight of God. Man’s judgment is partial, imperfect; but God estimates all things as they really are.” Steps to Christ, 30

The Bible tells us that God is love, so to find that it also says He hates might be hard to imagine. However, Solomon—considered the wisest man ever to live—tells us that God hates seven things. Sadly, some Christians and non-Christians, too, do not regard these seven sins as highly offensive, and they commit them almost every day without a thought of just how heinous they are in nature and to God.

Note carefully that these sins are seven in number. While this distinction may not have any Scriptural significance in this study, seven in the Bible denotes completion or perfection. Hence, we may conclude that where these seven sins are concerned, God hates them with perfect hatred. As we study each sin, we will better understand why God hates them.

Seven Deadly Sins

“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.” Proverbs 6:16–19

When a person reads the book of Proverbs, he will notice that the wise man mentions these seven deadly sins several times. Indeed, they are not the only sins that Solomon wrote about, but it is evident that because of the nature of these sins, the Holy Spirit instructed him to focus on them, not just for his benefit but also for the benefit of all his readers. These seven sins have caused more harm in heaven and earth than possibly all other sins combined. I can now begin to study the seven sins God hates, beginning with pride.

Pride

The Bible defines pride as “arrogance, haughtiness, swelling, pomp; to inflate with self-conceit, high-minded.” The Dictionary defines pride as “a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct.” Synonyms for pride are conceit, self-esteem, egotism, vanity, and vainglory. God calls pride, along with the other six deadly sins, an abomination.

Of Roman or pagan origin, abomination, when used as a verb, denotes “the feeling of abhorrence for what was ill-omened.” In the moral sphere, all evil conduct is like a bad omen, exciting dread, and aversion because of boding calamity. In the direct language of the Bible, referring all things immediately to God, abominations are defined as “things that Jehovah hates, and that are an aversion to His soul.” Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 6:16

Why does God hate pride?

“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: a proud look … .” The first deadly sin which God hates is pride. What is the meaning of pride?

How does the servant of the Lord define pride? “Pride feels no need, and so it closes the heart against Christ and the infinite blessings He came to give. There is no room for Jesus in the heart of such a person.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 7

What is so evil about pride that allows Jesus to abhor it?

Speaking concerning the fall of Lucifer, the prophet Ezekiel wrote, “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.” Ezekiel 28:17

The prophet Isaiah records the attitude that controlled Lucifer and led to his fall in heaven. “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Isaiah 14:12–14

Mrs. White tells us, “It was pride and ambition that prompted Lucifer to complain of the government of God, and to seek the overthrow of the order which had been established in heaven.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 403. She also points out that, “Little by little, Lucifer came to indulge a desire for self-exaltation.” The Great Controversy, 494

Again, we are told that “Pride in his own glory nourished the desire for supremacy. The high honors conferred upon Lucifer were not appreciated as the gift of God and called forth no gratitude to the Creator. He gloried in his brightness and exaltation, and aspired to be equal with God.” Ibid., 495

God hates pride because it is Satan’s sin. Originating with him and causing discord in heaven, Satan brought sin, misery, and separation into the universe. Inspiration gives us a glimpse of the disposition Lucifer displayed in heaven, “Though he had forsaken his position as covering cherub, yet if he had been willing to return to God, acknowledging the Creator’s wisdom, and satisfied to fill the place appointed him in God’s great plan, he would have been reinstated in his office. But pride forbade him to submit. He persistently defended his own course, maintained that he had no need of repentance, and fully committed himself, in the great controversy, against his Maker.” Ibid., 496

What caused Lucifer to lose heaven? “It was the pride and ambition cherished in the heart of Satan that banished him from heaven.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, 242

God hates pride because of its nature. “There is nothing so offensive to God or so dangerous to the human soul as pride and self-sufficiency. Of all sins it is the most hopeless, the most incurable.” Christ Object Lessons, 154

The Holy Spirit inspired Solomon to list pride as the first of these seven deadly sins because it is at the root of all disobedience and rebellion against God’s law because it is rooted in selfishness. Pride is the opposite of humility, which the apostle Paul gives as the basis of all the divine virtues. “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2, 3

The Scriptures remind us how much God is against pride.

“But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud.” James 4:6, first part

“For Thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.” Psalm 18:27

“He judgeth those that are high.” Job 21:22, last part. It is against this spirit that Job prays, “Cast abroad the rage of Thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.” Job 40:11, 12

Negative spiritual results of pride

“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2

“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” Proverbs 13:10

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

“A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.” Proverbs 29:23 (See also Daniel 4:37.)

“ ‘Therefore as I live,’ saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of My people shall spoil them, and the remnant of My people shall possess them.’

“This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the Lord of hosts.” Zephaniah 2:9, 10

“The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord God concerning Edom; we have heard a rumor from the Lord, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.

“Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.

“The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

“Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.” Obadiah 1–4

“Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:6

“Pride … destroys love for God and corrodes the soul.” Selected Messages, Vol. 2, 185

“Satan has much more power over some who profess the truth than many realize. Self reigns in the heart, instead of Christ. Self-will, self-interest, envy, and pride shut out the presence of God.” Testimonies, Vol. 4, 610

“Pride of heart is a fearful trait of character. ‘Pride goeth before destruction.’ This is true in the family, the church, and the nation.” Ibid., 377

“Alas that pride, unbelief, and selfishness, like a foul cancer, are eating out vital godliness from the heart of many a professed Christian!” That I May Know Him, 167

“The light of truth is constantly shining, but many men and women comprehend it not. And why?—Because selfishness, egotism, pride, blinds their spiritual eyesight. Standing between them and the true light, is the idol of their own opinion.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 9, 298

“But when the garden of the heart is neglected, poisonous weeds of pride, self-esteem, self-sufficiency, obtain a rank growth.” Evangelism, 342

How can we overcome or be set free from pride?

To overcome pride, we must die to self. Jesus invites us to come to Him. “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:28, 29

“You mistake pride for sensitiveness. Self is prominent. When self is crucified, then this sensitiveness, or pride, will die; until then you are not a Christian.” Testimonies, Vol. 2, 573

“Never will the human heart know happiness until it is submitted to be molded by the Spirit of God. The Spirit conforms the renewed soul to the model, Jesus Christ. Through its influence, enmity against God is changed into faith and love, and pride into humility.” Our High Calling, 152

“The divine love ruling in the heart exterminates pride and selfishness.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, 168

[All scripture from KJV.]

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at 718-882-3900.