To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
Summary: Someone who thinks about themselves all the time is egocentric. Someone who thinks their definition of evil is the only one that counts is also egocentric. The reason we fear the Lord is not that God is egocentric, but that he is all-powerful. Our opinions about evil are a passing thought. God’s view of evil is eternal.
What does the word “evil” mean? We sometimes toss words around like little kids blowing bubbles. The words spill out and float off without regard for where they go or who they touch. Other times, we use words as weapons. We throw them at other people like poison darts, hoping to cause a wound that incapacitates our enemy.
“Evil” is a word that makes a great poison arrow. “You are evil!” means that you are a bad person. Hitler and Nazis are often used as a synonym for evil. If you hear someone being called by those names, it likely means that they are being accused of being evil.
But who gets to define what evil is? Did Hitler think he was evil, or did he believe what he was doing was good?
Without God, we humans are left to decide for ourselves what is “good” and what is “evil.” And guess what? “Good” and “evil” are always going to be based on our personal likes and dislikes. This means that “good” and “evil” are going to be different for each of us.
For example, most of us might agree that Hitler was evil, but not everyone will agree with that statement. And among everyone who agrees that Hitler was evil, not everyone will agree on every other possible example of evil. Some people think eating meat is evil, others believe anyone who is not a member of their church is evil. No two people will be in complete agreement all the time.
So what does God think? How many of us would God say we’re good, and how many would God judge as being evil?
Uh-Huh.
So can we all agree that from God’s point of view, we are all evil (Genesis 6:5)? In today’s passage, Solomon expounds on what God sees as being evil. He lists four things: pride, arrogance, evil behavior, and perverse speech. We can group these together and say that God hates evil attitudes of the heart (pride and arrogance) and evil actions (behavior and speech).
When Jesus summarizes “all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22: 40), he breaks the Law down into two categories. The first category is respecting God (Matthew 22: 37). The second is respecting God’s creation, meaning other people (Matthew 22: 39).
There is a lot of overlap between these groups. Pride and arrogance are matters of the heart. God knows our hearts and sees clearly what is in our hearts (Psalm 44: 21-22, Matthew 9:4). If we have something in our heart that offends God, he is going to consider that to be evil. Behavior and speech are things God sees that we can see, too. God hates them both; the secret sins of the heart and the public sins we act out.
In the final analysis, whose definition of evil matters most? Is it yours and mine, or is it God’s?
Application: Using God’s definition of “evil” puts all of us here on earth on a level playing field (Psalm 53).
Food for Thought: According to this verse, what impact does fearing the Lord have on our lives?
The fear or reverence or awe or respect of the Lord steers us away from what He hates and toward what He loves. Ultimately it steers us toward God Himself. We will revere or honor or worship something. We were created for that. For some it is other people, or themselves, or the material. The fear of the Lord leads us to worship the Lord.
Rich,
I appreciate your thoughts on this. Your words remind me of how little kids will mimic their parents or another significant influence in their lives. They will mimic their behaviors, the way they dress, and what they say. It can be amusing to see, but it is also a clue to how we as humans learn. As you describe our relationship with the Lord, you point to the same kinds of conditions as a child with a parent.
As God’s child, we hopefully mimic our Creator. How he loves, forgives, hates evil and does good.
The impact is, that we hate evil. If we love God and His ways, we learn to hate the alternative. Since God is good, we hate evil.
But think of all of His other attributes too. In perfect balance. Some of them sound contradictory until you realize that there is right way to handle this attribute/emotion and there is a wrong way to handle it. We as fallen people typically do it the wrong way and are still learning the right way from Him.
Joy, wrath, love, jealous, good, compassion, humble, mercy, just, hate, sovereign, servant. God has been described with all of these (and more). But I’ve never heard the Bible describe Him with arrogance or evil. Those two things we should avoid. (And some of the others too because we just can’t seem to do them right)
Anyone else love how the all powerful God isn’t arrogant? The only being in creation with the right to be and He chooses not to be!
Sorry, typo, going too fast!
Existence not creation, God wasn’t created.
Can arrogance and humbleness be a characteristic attribute at the same time?
No…. I suppose that’s the point. Arrogance doesn’t fit.
A –
Thank you! I had to look up ‘arrogance’ to check the definition and this is what I found: “having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance or abilities.”
Can you imagine God having an “exaggerated sense” of his own importance or abilities? 🙂
That’s like the saying, “Its not bragging if its true.”
🤗
03-26-2022, Proverbs 8: 13, According to this verse, what impact does fearing the Lord have on our lives?
Great stuff you all!
When the Bible refers to the “fear of the Lord,” it means having a deep respect, reverence and awe for God’s power and authority. A “Reverential Trust”, rather than causing someone to be afraid of God, a proper “fear of the Lord” leads us to love Him with an increased intensity as we mature.
As we trust God, we grow closer to God by conforming to the image of Christ in humble obedience to His will over ours. Becoming more christlike is seen in our thoughts and actions as our heart begins to find true peace and well being in righteousness, and turns from all things which would contaminate, break our bond, or interferer with the security we have received from our Lord.
We become Christ centered rather than self centered.
Ron,
I love your conclusion: “We become Christ centered rather than self centered.”
Very well said!
Ron thank you for your comments. I always enjoy them and it helps me see my growth from a different perspective. Most of the things I’ve realized it’s never ending but then I can see where my thoughts have changed over time with knowledge wisdom and understanding of Gods word and His character. I’m able to look past at me not really fearing the Lord then during my growth it changed a few times. When I started to date one of God’s daughters my perspective of fearing the Lord was fearful. Now it has changed to a respectful “reverence and awe” ( with fear still because His beautiful daughter that He loves).
Tim,
Beautifully said! Thank you.
Thank you for sharing you life with me Tim. It’s a wonderful process God has in store for you and I really enjoy watching you grow as you share with others on this Blog.
God Bless You Always Brother “T”
Ron