by Gary L. Evans
Spiritual Gifts — Part 4
Pro 6:16-19 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
The word “abomination” is from the Hebrew “to-ay-baw'” which means “properly something disgusting (morally), that is, (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol.”
Dr. Bullinger states: “A proud look = eyes lifted up. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6, put for pride, which is indicated by this act. This is the first, and the others proceed downward; “eyes”, “tongue”, “hands”, “heart”, “feet”, and then the whole man.”
The word “discord” is from “maw-dohn'” and means “a contest or quarrel: – brawling, contention (-ous), discord, strife.”
The Lord declares Seven behaviors that are disgusting to Him. Note that the Number Seven in The Bible symbolizes Spiritual Perfection, including The Holy Spirit’s work:
- Proud Look
- Lying Tongue
- Hands that shed innocent blood
- Heart that deviseth wicked imaginations
- Feet that be swift in running to mischief
- False witness that speaketh lies
- He that soweth discord among brethren
We know from our own experiences with people that these behaviors disgust us as well as The Lord. And when we analyze the root causes of all of the trouble caused by people in this world and in our lives, we will find that one of these Seven Abominable Behaviors are often the cause.
1 – When someone looks at us with Haughty Eyes, they present a threatening appearance, which is a hostile act that indicates extremely evil thoughts, and a stubborn, defiant attitude toward us. It is a warning that we should avoid that person if possible but otherwise use caution when dealing with him. Another word we use for this behavior is Arrogance, which was the start of Lucifer’s Rebellion in The First World. Remember that we cannot read minds; only God knows our hearts and minds. So we may not realize whether someone is arrogant, because people can deceitfully pretend to be what they actually are not.
2 – When someone speaks lies, they obviously do so in order to deceive us. They could lie in order to hide their own guilt about some trouble they caused, or to put us off guard so they can do us harm. Satan was a liar from The Beginning and The Father of Liars. And when people are deceived by liars, they can suffer great harm and even death.
3 – Exo 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.
The Sixth Commandment is “Do not commit Murder.” Murder is a horrible crime that prematurely terminates the life of an innocent person. We are all made in the image of God, and we are all God’s Children. Murder destroys The Image of God and a Child of God. When our spirit returns to God after the death of our flesh body, we return as an angel, because we are all angels. Our time here in this world is a test to see whether we would choose to serve Satan who brings Death or to serve The Most High Who gives us Eternal Life. Thus the premature termination of someone’s life may prevent them from having the full opportunity to receive Eternal Life. So the results of a murder may be far greater damage to a person than just the death of their flesh body. It may also cause them to die in their sins while still under condemnation.
4 – Someone who spends long hours thinking and planning how to do evil to other people are extremely mentally sick. They are like predators who lurk in the dark at night to jump out at passerbys to rob them or even kill them. And such sociopaths may also be found in the workplace where they scheme how to steal the credit for other people’s work or to destroy the reputation of their competition in order to promote themselves.
5 – Someone who is always busy and in a hurry to cause trouble is like a social tornado in the community or in the workplace. There is no end to the damage they can do to other people or to the business. The trouble they cause will not stop until they are removed, and then suddenly there will be peace and calm again.
6 – Exo 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
The Seventh Commandment forbids the sin of Slandering someone who is innocent. There is no limit to the amount of harm that slander can do to someone, from robbing them of their property or livelihood to even causing their death.
7 – Someone who speaks lies to turn others against each other causes the most insidious type of trouble, because all of the deceived victims become enemies for no reason at all, and the guilty person can stand off to the side appearing not to be involved. It is the worst form of transgressing the Seventh Commandment. This is a very common crime committed by sinners, for example in the workplace to destroy the reputation of innocent persons, by slandering someone claiming he speaks evil about another turning him into an enemy. Then strangely one employee begins to hate another one for no reason, or a supervisor begins to hate an innocent employee.
Pro 29:12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
The meaning in this Proverb is best understood as a progression of events. Once a ruler, or supervisor, or anyone in a position of authority, believes a liar or especially a liar who sows discord, then eventually all of that ruler’s servants will be wicked, because the ruler will be deceived into getting rid of his honest servants one by one.
If such crimes are committed in ones family, it can turn one child against a sibling or against the father or mother. Jesus warned us of this type.
Mat 10:34-36 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
If such crimes are committed in society, they turn one group against another group causing conflict and often violence. Repeating this process to divide multiple groups can eventually break down the social order of the society and even cause civil war. This crime is common with certain governments to overthrow other governments.
Satan was the first who committed these Abominations way back In The Beginning.
Gen 3:1-4 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Satan lied to Eve in order to deceive her, by saying “ye shall not surely die.” And that is our very first example of committing the second Abominable Sin, “Lying Tongue.”
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Then Satan committed the seventh Abominable Deed by claiming that God was lying to Eve in order to hold back something wonderful that rightfully belonged to her, “to become a god having the knowledge of good and evil.” So Satan was in fact working to turn Eve against God playing on her flesh weakness of covetousness, so that she would commit a deadly sin.
It takes Spiritual Discernment to perceive when any of these Seven Evil Behaviors are committed and who likely did it, because often the only evidence will not appear until after the evil deed is committed and the guilty person has left the scene. This is precisely what those hypocritical Scribes and Priests did by bearing false witness against Jesus to stir up the mob to demand that Jesus be crucified.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Spiritual Gifts — Part 5
Mat 26:3-5 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
The word “kill” is from “ap-ok-ti’-no” which means “(to slay); to kill outright; figuratively to destroy: – put to death, kill, slay.”
This is the third Abominable Behavior, “Hands that shed innocent blood,” and also the fourth Abominable Behavior, “Heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.”
Mat 26:59-62 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
The term “false witness” is from “psyoo-dom-ar-too-ree’-ah” which means “untrue testimony: – false witness.”
Mark 15:9-15 But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
Mat 27:20-22 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
The criminal actions of the Chief Priests and Elders to have Jesus crucified based on false accusations includes the second Abominable Behavior, “Lying Tongue,” and the sixth Abominable Behavior, “False witness that speaketh lies,” and the seventh Abominable Behavior, “He that soweth discord among brethren.”
And all of these examples indicate that the hypocritical Scribes, Pharisees, and Priests were extremely arrogant, which is the first Abominable Behavior, “Proud Look.” And when we think about these examples, we may perceive that others of these seven behaviors may actually apply to them that I didn’t mention.
And this fact reminds us of the following precept mentioned by James:
Jas 2:10-11 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
For example: The First Commandment states, “Worship The Lord thy God and have no other gods before Him.” And Jesus clarified The Commandment as “Love The Lord with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
But even when someone may appear to worship God but transgresses any one of the other Commandments, then he shows contempt for God and for His Word, which is the transgression of The First Commandment, because he obviously does not worship God in rebelling against His Will. This is a precept important to Spiritual Discernment.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Spiritual Gifts — Part 6
2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
The “last days” are the last millennia leading up to the end of this world. To recognize the very end of this world, we look for the fulfillment of each of The Seven Seals taught to us by Christ Jesus.
The word “perilous” is from “khal-ep-os'” which means “reducing the strength; difficult, that is, dangerous, or (by implication) furious: – fierce, perilous.”
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
The phrase “lovers of their own selves” is from “fil’-ow-tos” which means “fond of self, that is, selfish.”
The word “boasters” is from “al-ad-zone'” which means “braggart.”
The word “unholy” is from “an-os’-ee-os” which means “wicked.”
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
The phrase “without natural affection” is from “as’-tor-gos” which means “with a negative particle and to cherish affectionately; hard hearted towards kindred.” We think of people like this as being psychopaths.
The word “incontinent” is from “ak-rat’-ace” which means “powerless, that is, without self control.”
The word “fierce” is from “an-ay’-mer-os” which means “savage.”
The phrase “despisers of those that are good” is from “af-il-ag’-ath-os” which means “hostile to virtue.”
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
The word “highminded” is from “toof-o’-o” which means “figuratively to inflate with self conceit.”
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
The word “godliness” is from “yoo-seb’-i-ah” which means “piety; specifically the gospel scheme.” So these are deceitful as well, because they pretend to be pious and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but actually they deny The Lord’s Divine Power which He demonstrated when He walked this earth, and which He bestows upon His Faithful now through Divine Gifts after we receive The Holy Spirit.
For example, this describes a person who pretends to be “religious” (a word I prefer not to use much) but denies The Lord’s Promise of The New Covenant by The Blood of Christ to give us The Holy Spirit of Christ so to free us from sin and death. They literally deny the promised Salvation offered to us by The Blood of The Lamb. Avoid such people, my friends.
2Ti 3:6-7 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Such people may become religious leaders appearing in their pulpits to believe The Gospel but actually not understanding it themselves, remaining unrepentant, and unable to teach others The Way to Eternal Life. Jesus gave us a great example to think about when He rebuked the hypocrites.
Mat 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
And Jesus continued in His warnings to us about the hypocrites, “stage play actors.”
Mat 24:1-5 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
The Name of The Only Begotten Son is The Word of God, which is The Anointing all Christians receive through their daily devoted study of God’s Word. In The New Covenant, God promised to give us new hearts and minds, and to write His Laws, that is, to write His Word into our hearts and minds so that we would obey Him and be His People, and He would be our God. And The First Seal that Jesus taught us about the events and conditions that will lead up to the end of this world was that many would claim to be Christians but instead would be teaching falsehood, not the truth of God’s Word. John called such deceitful people “antichrists,” the Greek “anti” meaning “instead of,” because they appear in this world “instead of Christians” even though they falsely claim to be Christians.
Paul’s warning to Timothy about how dangerous and wicked most “religious” people would actually be in The Last Days gives us explicit details of the mindset and most often sinful behaviors of those fake Christians, those antichrists that have appeared by the millions just as Jesus said they would. And it is necessary for our own safety and peace of mind to have the gift of Spiritual Discernment offered to us by The Holy Mind of Christ dwelling in us.
2Ti 3:8-9 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
The word “corrupt” is from “kat-af-thi’-ro” which means “to spoil entirely, that is, (literally) to destroy; or (figuratively) to deprave.”
The word “reprobate” is from “ad-ok’-ee-mos” which means “unapproved, that is, rejected; by implication worthless (literally or morally).”
Paul is referring to the sorcerers of Pharaoh who challenged Moses and Aaron.
Exo 7:7 And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.
Moses was 80 years old and his brother Aaron was 83 years old.
Exo 7:8-10 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
Aaron threw down his staff in front of Pharaoh and it became a venomous snake. This demonstration was done to convince Pharaoh that the God of Moses and Aaron was The Most High God such that Pharaoh should obey Him.
Exo 7:11-13 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
Then according to Paul’s knowledge of the names of those “wise men,” Jannes and Jambres cast down their rods also which turned into snakes. But Aaron’s rod swallowed their snakes to demonstrate that God’s Power was greater than Pharaoh’s. Yet Pharaoh stubbornly refused to back down.
So we see how Pharaoh’s “wise men” compared to The Lord’s servants, Moses and Aaron, were depraved and worthless, even though they were able to perform apparent miracles, but by Satan’s Power working against God.
And we see today how some antichrists have what we call “the silver tongue of the Devil.” They can emotionally move crowds of people to listen to them and trust them, and convince many to give them money so they can continue their “work in The Lord.” The problem is, they do not know The Way to Eternal Life. All that they can give the people is meaningless philosophies and rote traditions passed from generation to generation. My friends, I am confident that you are able to see through their fakery they use to deceive weak minded people with their false man-invented religion.
2Ti 3:10-12 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Just as Paul presented an example for us today, we also must suffer persecution. So use Spiritual Discernment by The Holy Spirit to perceive what is happening to you so that you understand that it is Satan and his demonic forces persecuting you, not men.
2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
As we near the end of this world, wickedness, lies and deception, and evil doing will increase to a fever pitch.
2Ti 3:14-15 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Have you known since you were a child in the back of your mind that there was more to God’s Word than you were being taught? that there must be more knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures than that Adam and Eve ate an apple recommended by a snake to disobey God. They rebelled against God and so are all condemned to die. That’s not fair by anyone’s judgement. So their ridiculous fairy tales they learn by rote tradition actually turn children and adults against believing The Word of God! And now you are seeking that full knowledge and understanding of what God’s Word actually teaches us, and this is The Lord’s doing.
2Ti 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Isaiah provides us with The Lord’s sure promise if we remain steadfast in our faith in Jesus. And in it we find solace and also compensation for the persecution we endure.
Isa 60:13 The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
We are now The Lord’s Temple on earth, His Sanctuary, and God dwells in us.
Isa 60:14 The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
When Christ returns, all of God’s children will gather to Him to worship. And we also will also gather at His feet. Those who do not overcome will bow behind us.
Isa 60:15-16 Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
Jehovah, God Most High, is our Savior, Who has Redeemed us from sin and death.
Isa 60:17 For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.
When we receive The Holy Spirit, The Lord gives us various gifts, to each according to His Divine Will. Then we make wise use of those gifts or talents as best as we can. Do not think that what you do in service to The Lord will not be appreciated. He declares that if you produce brass, He will judge it as gold, and if you produce iron, He will judge it as silver, and if you produce wood, He will judge it as brass, and if your best is to produce stones, then He will judge them as iron. God thinks more highly of us His faithful servants than we esteem ourselves, my friends.
Isa 60:18-22 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.
In these verses, The Lord gives us a glimpse into The Eternity and our rewards for serving Him. Think on these things and not on the things of this world.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.