ABOMINATION TO THE LORD – Proverbs 16:5
Proverbs 16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
How would you like to get to the judgment seat of Christ thinking that you lived a good life and thus you deserve eternal life in heaven only to find out that your life was an abomination unto the Lord? Jesus tells us that there will be some who come to the judgment seat trying to demonstrate all their good works, but God tells them to depart because HE does not know them.
All around us there are people who proclaim to know God. They may be faithful to preach the gospel to others. However, while they proclaim to know God, that does not necessarily mean that God knows them and calls them HIS children. Just because someone proclaims to be a Christian, it does not mean that their actions are not an abomination unto the Lord.
Throughout scripture we learn many things that are an abomination unto the Lord. The Hebrew word abomination used in this passage means disgusting, abhorrence, idolatry, abominable, and abomination. The word abomination used here is a serious word used to denote that God is not very pleased with the person who is proud. God likens those who are proud with those who commit idolatry. God was very clear that we are not to have any other gods except to serve the one true God. In the same way, we cannot allow pride to enter into our heart.
When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, it was because they were proud and desired to be like God. It was pride that destroyed the relationship that man had with God. When you are proud, you are self-reliant, in your mind, you do not need anyone, let alone God. Because pride is such a barrier between man and God, it is just one reason why God despises those who are proud.
When David saw Bath-sheba, in addition to lust, it was pride that drove him to sleep with the wife of another man. David was the most powerful man in the kingdom and rather than be the servant of all, David flexed his power when he chose to take what belonged to another. Furthermore, when David had Uriah killed, it was his pride that he could do what he wanted when he wanted without facing any consequences that caused him to snuff out the life of one of his subjects.
Pride and the fear of the Lord do not mix. The fear of the Lord acknowledges that God is in control and that you are going to live your life in accordance with HIS standards. Those who are proud live their lives for the moment; they are in control and they do not understand that they are accountable to God for every action, word, and thought.
How many people proclaim to be Christians yet they will not live in heaven with God? How many Christians proclaim to be saved yet continue to live for the devil? How many people proclaim to be Christians but have created their own brand of Christianity so as to suit their own personal taste? God has already established what HE expects of you if you proclaim to be HIS.
Take time to add knowledge of the ways of God for your life. The more time you spend studying who God is and what HE requires of you, the harder it will be for you to proclaim your own righteousness. Stop trying to take the place of God, instead, allow God to be God and learn to faithfully serve HIM as HE desires to be served. Do not allow pride to creep up into your soul. God loves you and HE created you, what makes you think that you are allowed to dictate the duties and obligations you owe HIM?