Weekly Devotional 13th of February, 2026
by Bruce Billington
Weekly Devotional 13th of February, 2026
In this session, we will continue to look at Proverbs Chapter Six. Here the author considers seven things the Lord hates.
Proverbs 6:16-19 – “16 There are six things which the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, 19 A false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.”
The seven sins listed here are self-explanatory, and most of us realise that God cannot tolerate them. Furthermore, they are dangerous because they also cause societal breakdown. As we saw in the previous lesson, if God will condemn those who do nothing, how much more will He condemn those who do evil?
We often find ourselves hating these things in others, but our first step must be to hate them in ourselves. The Scriptures teach us that the most effective way to be free of sin is to hate it first (Proverbs 8:13). We need to understand that if God hates these things, He will not tolerate them indefinitely. The more craft and management there are in sin, the more abominable it is to God. As the author of peace and goodwill, He hates to see these things broken down by those who deliberately sow discord within the community. As disciples of Christ, we are called to a higher standard of behaviour than that.
The chapter goes on to say that we need to pay attention to the (good) things we were taught by our parents and to become lovers of humility, truthful speech, preservation of life, pure thoughts, eagerness to do good, honest witnesses, and peaceful harmony. It tells us to do two things here.
Proverbs 6:21 – “Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck.”
The first is to bind them to our hearts continually. Our heart is the vital place where we must allow our love for the ways of God to settle. They are worth living for, worth dying for (and indeed many have), and worth more than all the world has to offer.
The second thing is to wear them around our necks. This means we have them on display. When you see the Lord Mayor of a city, you will notice that they are wearing their chain of office. It is a bold display of their distinction and their love for the position they have been entrusted with.
So, how much more should we, with our love of the Lord and His ways, wear this around our neck for display everywhere we go? We must never be ashamed to be Christians, and we should continually ask the Holy Spirit to help us do this for His glory.
If we do , verses 22-23 promise that,
Proverbs 6:22-23 – “22 When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you. 23For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life.”
The law of God is a lamp or candle to guide us as we work and walk. It enlightens our eyes and directs our feet along the right paths. This will give us a clear understanding of what is right and what is wrong. It will guide us to avoid sinful behaviour and embrace godly behaviour as we journey through life.
When we are busy, when we are resting, and even when we are sleeping, we can have nothing better than to know that we are sheltered by the love of the Lord, washed clean by the blood of Jesus, and that His mercies are new when we wake up every morning.
God bless you.