Prov. 6:16-19 (NKJV) These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: ¹⁷A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸A heart that devises  wicked plans,  Feet that are swift in running to evil, ¹⁹ A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

All we need to do is read the news on the internet or watch the local television news to  be aware of, or at least reminded of, how evil men will spend their time devising wicked plans.  Let’s examine God’s feelings about this subject and how we can avoid finding God’s disfavor, but rather his favor.

What direction do we find from God’s Word?

(Genesis 6:5 NIV)  The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.

(Psalms 34:6 NIV)  This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.

(Romans 1:30 NIV) “…slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents…”

God Is Concerned About The Heart. Implicitly, this passage teaches that God knows all things and that nothing escapes his attention.

(Ecclesiastes 12:14 NIV)  For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

(Matthew 15:18-20 NIV)  But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ {19} For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. {20} These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.'” God looks at the roots, and not just the fruit.

(Romans 1:32 NIV)  Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

How To Overcome This Sin.

(Isaiah 32:7-8 NIV)  The scoundrel’s methods are wicked, he makes up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just. {8} But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands.

(Matthew 10:16 NIV)  I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

(Matthew 12:43-45 NIV)  “When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. {44} Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. {45} Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

(Luke 16:8 NIV)  “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.

(Ephesians 3:20 NIV)  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

(Philippians 4:8 NIV)  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

Let’s begin to trust God more to do what he said he would do.  Let us plan, devise, and pray for great things. Let’s stop expending energy in useless and trivial pursuits, but rather let us meditate, devise, and work out ways to further the cause of Christ.