Solomon gives us a very direct picture of the things the Lord hates: pride, lying, violence, a heart that devises evil, eagerness to run toward sin, false testimony, and the stirring up of division. These aren’t merely outward behaviors; they reveal what is happening inside the heart. This is where the connection to seeking truth becomes so important.
Wisdom is something we are told to seek, pursue, treasure, and hold onto. God’s Word gives us a standard outside of ourselves. Our feelings can deceive us. Culture can redefine what is right and wrong. Our own hearts can rationalize almost anything when we want something badly enough. But Scripture continually brings us back to truth. When we make this Truth our heart’s yearning, God’s Word becomes a guardrail for our lives.
The more we know truth, the more readily we can recognize deception. When we are digging into God’s Word, we become more familiar with His character, His standards, His voice, and His ways. Sin isn’t just something we’re “not supposed to do,” but something that pulls us away from the abundant life and purpose God has for us.
That’s why seeking God’s Word has to be intentional. Just like panning for gold in Alaska, we have to dig for the treasure that is wisdom from God. When Scripture exposes pride, dishonesty, lust, hatred, or division in us, it gives us an opportunity to surrender those things to God and make a different choice.
God’s Word can keep you from (insert your vice here)… well, every sin, really.
Not because possessing a Bible magically makes us righteous, but because truth changes the way we think, and transformed thinking changes the way we live.
Instead of pride, we can choose humility.
The lying tongue can be hushed in favor of truth.
Where evil sheds innocent blood, the follower of Christ can stand for and defend what is good and innocent.
The wicked heart devises wicked plans, while our hearts can pursue God’s plans.
Instead of running toward evil, we can turn and pursue righteousness.
We can shut down the influence of false witnesses by having the courage to speak truth.
And instead of causing chaos among the brethren, we can become a people who choose to make peace.
This also connects beautifully to purpose and calling. God has placed something specific on each of our hearts. There are people we are called to love, things we are called to accomplish, gifts we are called to steward, and opportunities God has placed in front of us. Sin distracts us from that calling. Wisdom helps us recognize what is trying to derail us so that we can keep moving toward what God has called us to.
We don’t dig into God’s Word simply so we can know more Bible verses. We dig because we want truth to take root in us. We seek wisdom because we want our lives to reflect the One who gave us our purpose in the first place.
Isn’t God magnificent in the way that He designed the triangle as such a strong shape? Like the trinity, three in one. The beautiful thing about a triangle is its stability. Three sides, connected and supporting one another, create a strong and enduring shape. What a beautiful picture of a life built upon the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.