The Blacklist
Pt. 1 – Black Eyes
I. Introduction
Lists are a part of life. Lists on paper. Lists on your phone. Lists are supposed to keep us ordered. "To Do Lists" and "Honey Do Lists". They are supposed to keep us on track . . . "Shopping Lists". There are lists you want to be on . . . "Who's Who" and "VIP". There are lists you don't want to be on . . . some more seriously than others "Santa's Naughty List", the "No Fly List" and you definitely do not want to be on God's Blacklist. That's right most of us are not even aware of the fact that God has a blacklist, but He does. We are not aware of this list because we tend to focus so strongly on God as love. It is the premier attribute He has when it comes to His dealings with us. It is the attribute that shields us from what we deserve. It is the attribute that motivated the greatest gift that could be given . . . His Son. God is love and we should be thankful for that. So with the intense focus on His love when we are then told that God hates something we should be inclined to sit up and take notice.
We should be diligent to know His blacklist so that we avoid it at all costs. Let's read God's Blacklist!
II. Text
Proverbs 6:16-19
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 person who stirs up conflict in the community.
God has gone on record that he hates these things. God denies the thesis of liberal theology that He is some sentimental and senile old man who weeps but never works, that He simply shuts His eyes to the sins of mankind and is tolerant of evil, that he forgives because he hasn’t the intestinal fortitude to punish sin. God says, “I love,” but He also says, “I hate.” - J. Vernon McGee
Solomon uses incredibly strong language here. He declares that there are six things that God hates and one more that is detestable. Contrast that with our concept of God is love. It is imperative to make sure we to know what God loves, but we must also understand what He hates. Over the next few weeks we are going to examine each item on "The Blacklist!"
The #1 Item on the Blacklist is proud eyes.
Listen to how it is said in several other versions . . .
"eyes that are arrogant"
"snobbish eyes"
"A proud look the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others"
Solomon makes it clear that the chart topper with God is pride. God hates pride. We already know that "pride comes before a fall." That should warn us of the danger of pride. Pride sets us up for failure every time.
I can make another list of all the examples that drive this truth home . . . Satan (who was the first fruit of pride), Nebuchadnezzar, Samson, Saul, Pharisees, and the list could go on and on. Pride destroys.
And God hates it. I believe there is another reason He hates it so much. How are people supposed to know us? What is the one attribute that we are to have above every other attribute? Love . . . we are to be known as His because we become representatives, carriers and ambassadors of His love. I believe God hates pride so much because it interrupts and stifles our ability to effectively represent Him! When we are proud we give love a bad name. In fact, pride destroys love.
Proud eyes block our ability to see others correctly!
Remember one of the characteristics of Kingdom Climate that we are committed to around here is empathy. However, if we are proud it blocks our ability to view people with any sense of grace or love. Pride keeps us from being able to put ourselves in their shoes. Instead, pride causes us to look down on, make judgements, and diagnose without all of the facts.
Pride impedes grace!
Let's be honest . . . haven't you made a judgement about someone's situation without really knowing what that person is facing. If I was in their shoes, then I would . . . how do you know you would? I see the choice they make and shake my head thinking what a terrible decision, but I haven't dealt with what they have dealt with and I can't really say I wouldn't do the same thing.
Well, if my kid did that I would . . .
If my doctor told me that I would . . .
If I was in the same spot financially I would . . .
If I worked there I would . . .
If I was married to them I would . . .
Pride leads us to draw conclusions! No one really asked for our conclusions in the first place. What people are asking for is empathy!
How do you see others? Do you have proud eyes?
Proud eyes block our ability to see ourselves correctly.
The reason pride keeps us from being able to see others correctly is because pride causes us to overestimate ourselves and underestimate others. Pride results in class wars. We elevate ourselves based on race (did you get to choose your color?), financial status, material possessions, talents, and even physical appearances.
Paul deals ruthlessly with pride when he says, "As God’s messenger I give each of you God’s warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you." Romans 12:3 and again in Philippians 2:3-7. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."
Why is it that we always start with "I am better than . . ." I am better than them in basketball. I am better them as a musician. I am better than them as a parent. I am better businessman than them. I am a better Christian than them.
C. S. Lewis once said, “Pride is essentially competitive—is competitive by its very nature—while the other vices are competitive only, so to speak, by accident. Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man.”
Solomon says God literally hates that type of mentality and I believe it is because pride causes us to be unable to respond effectively to the needs of others. It builds walls between us. It hardens our heart so then it in turn shortens our hand.
St. Augustine – “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men angels.”
How do you see yourself?
III. Close
Are you on the right list? Do you have proud eyes? Has pride caused you to judge? Do you have black eyes?
