A Heart That Devises Wicked Plans
The Word: “These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
The Breakdown: God hates when people devise wicked plans, knowing that such evil desires arise from the heart. Those who devise wicked plans consciously create and develop a plan to do something that is sinful and against God’s law. Jesus describes the wicked plans that are devised from the heart in Mark 7:21-22: “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.” God hates this because it is contrary to His good plans.
Activate: Take some time and think about your heart. Do you have a heart that devises wicked or righteous plans? God is not talking about struggling with sin; He is talking about people who willfully desire to do wrong even though they know it is not right. What plans do you devise?
A Thought: Wicked plans are not limited to “big sins” such as murder, but they even refer to cheating on a test or gossiping about someone if you consciously choose and plan to do this when knowing it is wrong. God’s plans are not evil, but good (Jer. 29:11), so ours should be too!
