Good Question - Day 06
Day 06: Monday, April 24
Read Proverbs 6
Highlight
Proverbs 6 describes several things that God “hates.” This language can be jarring and brings up a question that many of us have asked before: How can God be love and also have such anger/hatred towards things? Shouldn’t those things be absent from a perfectly good and loving God?
Anger is not the opposite of love. In fact, anger can be motivated by love. Doesn’t a loving father hate it when his children experience pain? Then why not the same from our Heavenly Father? Don’t we want a God who is angered by the suffering being caused by the abuse of power? God’s hatred towards sin comes from His great love for us. This can be seen in the seven examples listed in vv. 16-19. All of these sins that God “hates” are failures to love other people. One Bible scholar points out that every one of these vices deny the divine element in humanity. In other words, they fail to treat other people with the honor deserved by every single man and woman if for no other reason than that they bear the image of God.
What makes us angry? And is that anger motivated by our love for others or by something else?
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Proverbs 6
Highlight
Proverbs 6 describes several things that God “hates.” This language can be jarring and brings up a question that many of us have asked before: How can God be love and also have such anger/hatred towards things? Shouldn’t those things be absent from a perfectly good and loving God?
Anger is not the opposite of love. In fact, anger can be motivated by love. Doesn’t a loving father hate it when his children experience pain? Then why not the same from our Heavenly Father? Don’t we want a God who is angered by the suffering being caused by the abuse of power? God’s hatred towards sin comes from His great love for us. This can be seen in the seven examples listed in vv. 16-19. All of these sins that God “hates” are failures to love other people. One Bible scholar points out that every one of these vices deny the divine element in humanity. In other words, they fail to treat other people with the honor deserved by every single man and woman if for no other reason than that they bear the image of God.
What makes us angry? And is that anger motivated by our love for others or by something else?
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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