Calamity will come suddenly to “the naughty person” (the scoundrel, or villain), the one who walks with a “forward” (or perverse) mouth, who “winks with his eyes” (deceiving others in his insincerity), and who enjoys or devises mischief and sows discord.
Yes, the Lord declares that there are seven things — involving our eyes, our mouth and tongue, our hands and feet, and our “heart” (our inner being) — that, used in an evil way, are an abomination to God (Prov 6:16-19).
A proud look
When we were children, probably none of us escaped either receiving or perhaps giving a proud look! It is the look of accomplishment turned into conceit, or a “righteously” raised eyebrow, or the lofty ‘I’m better than you’ look. It is definitely different than the looks and actions of a humble person.
In our youth, we may have been loud and possibly presumptuous; perhaps we demanded notice, exaltation, and adoration. But, in our maturity we learned, as servants of the Lord, that we are commanded not to “lord it over others”, but to love others and to esteem (and value) them as better than ourselves. If we are to be good and faithful servants, we must follow the Lord’s example. We must not elevate ourselves, but make ourselves of lesser importance. We gird our towels around ourselves and serve others, as he did. It did not matter whom Jesus served, whether man or woman; his respect for them was the same.
The proud look will only lead to evil because it comes from an arrogant spirit. We may see it in the young person who wants to appear important before his peers, who may be rude in speech, poorly mannered, laughing loudly and making sport of others, belittling and bullying others, and causing pain and grief. The proud look comes from an over-sized ego; it may involve pride in our physical appearance, or even in our Bible knowledge or our position in the meeting. The pride may come, later, from being wealthy or holding an important job. Whatever the causes, the proud look needs to be addressed because it is sinful and we are warned that pride comes before a fall!
Jesus noted how Judas criticized the woman with the alabaster box of ointment, who “wasted” its contents on the Master (Matt 26:7-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1 8).
We are told he “cared for the money bag”, certainly more than he did for the funds for the poor — this love of money was the root of all evil, and he was a thief. We note how Jesus’ reprimand led to Judas leaving the company of the disciples, and going quickly to the chief priests, where he made plans to betray Jesus. He then received the coveted silver (Matt 26:14-16; Mark 14:10,11; John 13:2).
A lying tongue
Lying is a very common sin in today’s society. It is used so often to get one’s way in almost everything: in gaining employment, passing tests, getting ahead financially, and elevating oneself above others. Just little “white lies” in the sight of the ungodly, we tell ourselves. The tongue, we are told, is an unruly evil; we must be careful with our words and even our tone. Did Judas, in his words and his tone, make the woman with the alabaster box feel small and despised? Was he discrediting her and demeaning her because of her past? Perhaps that is why Jesus said, rather strongly, to Judas: “Leave her alone!”
The proud person, who lifts himself up over others, likes to remind people of their past errors. He may use words that belittle or demean, or he may conspicuously whisper to someone else in the presence of the person he is “putting down”.
This is done often in the world. It should never been done by Christ’s disciples. Hands that shed innocent blood
Being a party to hurting others, whether by word or deed, is also a terrible evil. When we hurt others, we may never be able to repair the friendship. We may cause offense when the wounds go so deep that the wounded one leaves the truth. We are warned not to offend the little ones, and that, if we do, a millstone should be tied about our neck and we should be cast into the sea.
Young school children, in their desire to be accepted, may join a gang in their neighborhood or school. We hear in the news of more conflicts and school shootings because of bullying. Often in order to join the gang, perhaps even to feel protected, one has to become a part of injuring a member of another gang, or has to steal or do some other malicious thing to prove one’s loyalty. This is extreme, but we can also be a party to hurting someone with just our words (or with that proud look)! Remember, words cannot be taken back; words can become like chicken feathers, flying in the wind, that can never be gathered up. We may want to take back what we said, but consequences will linger. Slanderous words are heard daily on our news programs. They are calculated to sting, and sometimes to destroy lives. Remarks seemingly made in jest may be deliberately harmful.
When Judas took the silver coins and agreed to identify Jesus in the quietness of the garden, he chose as his sign a kiss of friendship. How sad the Lord must have felt when his disciple kissed him on the cheek! A kiss is the sign of endearment, and should never be used in a hateful way (Matt 26:48,49; Mark 14:44,45; Luke 22:47,48).
A heart that devises wicked imaginations
When we imagine or plan to hurt someone, or we plot to do wrong (like stealing or betraying), we often have in mind some benefit from doing so. We expect some recognition, and so our heart becomes disloyal. Our thoughts may have been honest in the beginning, but later we grow interested in satisfying our own pleasure. The lust of the flesh takes over, as like the serpent we cunningly design a way to deceive our victim. We watch for the opportunity; we wait for the perfect time. Jesus’ strong words to Judas seem to have given him the excuse he needed to betray our Lord. And it all began with his proud look upon the woman with the alabaster box!
Feet swift in running to mischief
What is “running to mischief”? It is the decision to plan evil. It starts in the heart or inner being of the individual, and it continually grows if not checked when temptation and enticement step in.
The heart of Judas was already sick with covetousness. He already had an exalted opinion of himself; now, his pride hurt, he could not resist the offer of silver to betray Jesus. He may have thought: ‘Surely this will force Jesus to establish his kingdom. That won’t be such a bad thing!’ But I don’t think he thought about spiritual matters at this time. His rational mind had left him, and now his feet were swift in the mischief he plotted with the chief priests. He was not thinking that he was doing wrong. When they took Jesus and he did not resist, perhaps Judas had second thoughts. But by this time his mind had forgotten obedience and forgiveness.
He could not go to God in a spirit of repentance. Instead, he went to the chief priests and, in a fury, threw their coins back at them. Then he went and hanged himself.
When we have sinned, we must remember the Lord is ready to hear us, and we need to humble ourselves and return to him in repentance, seeking forgiveness.
A false witness who speaks lies
Witnessing is giving testimony or a report, on an official record. In Jesus’ trial, the Pharisees sought out false witnesses who were willing to fabricate lies about Jesus — or at least testify falsely by twisting the words he had said. In their proud desire to retain power over the people, the Pharisees violated the laws of God. Under the Law of Moses, false witnesses should be stoned. But, in their desire for power, this no longer mattered. They broke laws left and right!
Perjury, or false witnessing, is practiced every day in the courts. Lawsuits of lies and cunningly devised accusations are served against innocent victims every day. Some make a living suing others, knowingly devising such mischief. Others may be influenced by these lies.
Some years ago, when I was barely 15, a very hurtful rumor was circulated about me. It was totally false, but my peers believed the person who repeated the lie, and they distanced themselves from me. I was so hurt that I ran away in tears from the Bible school — as far as I could go. Without suitable clothing, and without any protection, I walked for miles. Exhausted, I finally called my mother, who was at home, hundreds of miles away, and I sobbed on the phone.
She gave me the best advice I have ever found for dealing with hurtful lies: to go back (in this case to the Bible school), and to accept that the friendship may have ended. She told me that I must show my former friends, by the way I lived my life, that no one would ever believe the lie. She was right, and I found other friends. I also found God and was baptized just six months later. When I turned to Christ, he became my very best friend. Most importantly, I learned that day that the Lord deals with those who are false witnesses. They indeed will have their reward, although it may not be what they expected. Sadly, though I forgave the false witness, my former friendship was never really restored.
He who sows discord among brethren
If we bite and devour one another, as Galatians 5:15 warns us not to do, we must take heed that we are not consumed by one another. Sowing discord is the kind of abomination that destroys so much good. How can we preach and teach the gospel if we don’t follow it ourselves? Won’t those to whom we preach notice our behavior? We are to be known for our love for one another. How can the spirit of God dwell in those who purposely, or even mistakenly, cause discord and division? Our love for others should solve our problems. Sometimes, however, one party will not be open, or listen.
Having Judas’ attitude — one that is proud, self-seeking, covetous, manipulative, and deceitful — is incredibly sad. It is worse yet when one loses sight of the loving forgiveness of God. Such an attitude caused much trouble among Christ’s disciples.
Some discord had sprung up among them: we remember that the mother of Zebedee’s children desired two high positions for her sons — positions of prominence. When the others heard of this, they were indignant with the two brothers (Matt 20:24).
Whoever will be great among Christ’s disciples, or be chief, must learn to be a servant now.
Jesus is our example. He willingly served and died for us, and we must do the same for others. The commandments of the Lord are a shining light for us. When we receive reproof and correction, we should think that perhaps these are necessary for our growth in Christ. Let us not take offense, but rather learn to see the love behind the words given, and ponder them, before we let our feet run to mischief. We are commanded to speak up and turn a sinner from his destructive way. God can use us to accomplish His will. Let us look for the best and seek forgiveness when we fail. Peter, after his denial of the Lord, became a changed man. Let us not refuse to repent, as did Judas.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One