I find the Bible an interesting and often rewarding book to revisit over and over. For some time, for lack of a better plan, I would take advantage of the fact that Proverbs has 31 chapters — one for every day of the month — so I would regularly review the chapter that corresponded to the day (and on the last day of seven months each year, I’d be reminded what a remarkable lady I was living with and eventually married to, but I digress).
At random I returned to Proverbs the other day, reading Chapter 6 on the 6th, and I rediscovered this little saying in verses 15-19 (I am often distracted by the little numbers scattered throughout the text; sometimes I just like to read through as you’ll be able to do in the next paragraph — but I acknowledge it makes it a lot easier to find passages again when you want to):
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension among his brothers.”
I confess that my first thought upon reviewing that list was that it might also be valid to label it “Traits of a successful politician,” but I remembered that line about specks and planks in my eye and so decided not to say it out loud (Alas, I said nothing to myself about writing it down).
It’s been said one should not present a problem without a solution, and so this same book that lists what God despises is full of suggestions on better ways to live, as in:
“… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Galatians 5:22
As I cast about for influencers worth following, I find it handy to keep in mind these two lists of attributes and seek out folks who more represent that second list. And may the good Lord forgive that swarm of locusts who live by the first list.
And yes, I’m going to sit down now and see what I can do about this plank in my eye …
