Pro 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Pro 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Pro 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
My Comment:
The fourth thing God hates is “An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations” (Proverbs 6:18).
This post is the fourth in a series. Part Three was posted here on April 19, 2017 [https://realbiblestudy.com/?p=2302].
In modern English, Proverbs 6:18 has been translated to read “those who make evil plans or are quick to do wrong,” by the Contemporary English Version (CEV).
This verse has application to both political issues on any level as well as to the personal lives of every individual.
What God thinks about those who “devise wicked imaginations” is made very clear by studying the cross references, which I share below. I just studied this verse in depth this morning and expanded the number of cross references given to even more than is available in the published edition of The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury. What God thinks should be of comfort and encouragement to those who are on God’s side, and an even greater terror to the wicked. If you will take the time to read these references you will be blessed, encouraged, and instructed, I’m sure.
Cross Reference Study of Proverbs 6:18
Pro 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
18. heart that deviseth. ver. +*Pr 6:14. Pr 3:29. *Pr 14:22. 24:8. +**Ge 6:5. 2 S 16:20, 21. +**Ps 5:9. *Ps 36:4. *Je 4:14. Da 6:5, 11, 12. Mic 2:1. *Zec 8:17. wicked imaginations. Pr 12:2. 14:17. 15:26. *Ge 19:4. +**Dt 7:25. +**Ps 101:3. Ezk 38:10. +*Zec 7:10.
Since some readers here may not be able to read each reference given above by hovering the mouse pointer over the reference (an action which should open a little window that displays the text of the verse), I will present the text of the first several verses in full, with further comments about some of them.
heart that deviseth.
(1) ver. +*Pr 6:14.
Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
This verse, from the same chapter, tells more about the character of individuals who “devise mischief.” “Frowardness” in the original Hebrew is translated from a word that means fraud or perversity.
We see evidence of this kind of behavior among some politicians, but they are not the only ones exhibiting this kind of bad character. The point is, God hates such activity and disposition in a person. I believe the only viable solution for this character problem is for a person to become rightly related to our Lord Jesus Christ.
(2) Proverbs 3:29
Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
The connection between Proverbs 3:29 “evil” and Proverbs 6:18 “mischief” is that both verses contain the same Hebrew word (Strong Number H7451) but are translated differently into English by the KJV. God hates those who devise evil against others, in whatever form it takes.
(3) Proverbs 14:22
Pro 14:22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
I have noticed that it is frequently the case in the Bible that wherever the word “err” occurs you will find a cause/effect relationship statement. These form a fascinating field of Bible study. I have given a full list of the examples I have found in my note at Psalm 9:10 in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury and also in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. For Proverbs 14:28, “devising evil” (the cause) results in a person being in error (the effect); “devising good” (the cause) results in a person being blessed by mercy and truth (the effect).
(4) Proverbs 24:8
Pro 24:8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.
Young (of Young’s Concordance fame, as well as Young’s Literal Translation of the Bible) renders “a mischievous person” as “a master of wicked thoughts.”
That brings to mind a problem in our society today. George Soros seems to be behind a number of evil activities that have gone on, for which he is said to have paid the participants in those activities. Another unfortunate problem of a different kind–it is reported that there may be very few “honest” politicians in Congress, for many of them have been compromised and are therefore under the control of other wicked forces that promote and carry on such nefarious activities as child sex trafficking, and therefore they must do the bidding of those who hold the evidence against them in reserve in case they do not cooperate. This is a very serious problem nationally and internationally among political leaders, if the reports I’ve heard, seen and read are true. In any case, we need to obey the Bible and pray for those in authority over us in the government that they may be released from the control brought about by this great evil. This ties in to the important truth given at Psalm 101:3,
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
To escape these snares and pitfalls, we must follow the advice given in Psalm 119:63,
Psa 119:63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
We must totally avoid all compromising relationships, whether at school, on the job, in government, in Congress, and even in Christian ministry. Even very innocent and well-intentioned persons can be falsely accused of evil behavior by the kind of persons God declares He hates, including those with hearts that devise wicked imaginations, that is evil plans, to cause another’s downfall. Therefore, be very careful in all your associations, words, and actions so that they cannot be taken the wrong way. Live a life of such good character such that if you are falsely accused, no one will believe the accusation.
There are yet more fascinating cross references to cover, but if I take the time to cover them all here in writing, few will be patient enough to read it all. But I have shared my expanded cross references above so that you can follow up on them by your own study.