Abominations Unto the Lord
George Kirkpatrick  

SIN OR ABOMINATION 
CHAPTER ONE

• • "And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." *** Luke 16:15

When it is discussed what is pleasing in the sight of God and what is not pleasing, the subject is generally centered on sin; what is sin and what is not sin. Very seldom, if ever, does the discussion get around to what is an abomination unto the Lord. Most believe these two words are interchangeable. But with a little word study we find there is much difference between the word sin and the word abomination. 

The Greek word for sin is HARMATRIA or HARMARTANO. The meaning is "to be without a share in; to miss the mark; to err, be mistaken; to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong; to wander from the law of God, and to violate God's law".

The Hebrew word for sin is CHATA and means "to miss the way, to err, to miss the mark, to wander from the way, to become unclean". Another Hebrew word used for sin is PESHA and means "transgression and rebellion". It refers to those who rebel against God's intended way in their lives.

As our understanding increases in God's Word, we know that God has an intended purpose for each life, and His purpose was instilled in each person's life from before the foundation of the earth. Whether that person has an understanding of that purpose or not, God has His intended purpose to be accomplished in every life.

As we begin to understand the meaning of sin, those who are dwelling in HARMATRIA (sin) have fallen from the grace and mercy of God, and they are without a share in that they have missed the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, *** Philippians 3:14. They walk in error, and have wandered from the path of the upright, and have violated God's law. 

When law is mentioned, Moses' law automatically comes to mind. But, as we begin to more fully understand the term "God's law", we discover that it is referring to the whole Word of God, not just the first five books of the Bible. When we are walking in HARMATRIA (sin), we are on the wrong path to enter in at the strait gate and we are missing God's intended purpose for our lives.

Paul reveals that all have sinned (HARMATRIA) and come short of the glory of God, *** Romans 3:23. When God is our target and HARMATRIA enters into our lives, it alters our paths, we come up short of the target and we miss the mark. We are walking in error and we have wandered from the paths of the upright. When Paul wrote all have sinned, ALL means ALL. None have entered into God's glory. But God is raising up a people who are dealing with the sin nature and will enter into His glory. 

As we consider the word for abomination in the New Testament, it is the Greek word BDELUSSO or BDELUGMA and means "to abhor, a foul thing, a detestable thing, to stink, smell bad, odious, wickedness, and to turn one's self away from on account of the stench". In the Old Testament there is more than one word used for abomination. The main word used is TOWEBAH and means "a disgusting thing, a thing of wickedness". 

As the scriptures relate the words of Jesus, those things which are highly esteemed among men are an abomination in the sight of God, *** Luke 16:15. What is highly esteemed among men is a foul thing in the sight of God. To put it plainly, those things that are highly esteemed among men are a stink in God's nostrils. He will turn His face from that stink because He abhors and detests it.

Jesus was speaking of those who justify themselves before men, but God knows their hearts, *** Luke 16:15. These are those who, being ignorant of God's righteousness, have gone about to establish their own righteousness, and have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God, *** Romans 10:3. This is an abomination in the sight of God. 

Jesus was not speaking of the worldly people. He expects them to do such things. But He was speaking of those who are called by His name, the Christ-ones in the earth, those whom He has purchased with His blood, those who have been anointed with His Spirit, those who are supposed to know His voice; His sheep, who are not following another shepherd. These are those who have justified what they want to do in the sight of men, using the name of Christ. These people are a stink in God's nostrils.

By comparing what the Word says are abominations unto God with what is acceptable in the society in which we live, we can understand why God will bring judgment upon the earth. When we consider what is allowed in the churches that God plainly states are abominations in His sight, we can understand why judgment must begin at the house of God. 

Sexual perversion is an abomination in the sight of God. There are many forms of sexual perversion and mankind is involved in all of them. Most, if not all, are found in the church. God spoke to Moses,

• • "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." *** Leviticus 18:22

Homosexuality and lesbianism are abominations in the sight of God, a stink in His nostrils, that He will turn His face away from. Many will say, "That is part of the old, Mosaic law, and we are not under the law." Paul addressed this in his letter to the Romans,

• • "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." *** Romans 3:20

We are not justified by the law. But it is by and through the law that God has given us the knowledge of what is acceptable and unacceptable in His sight. We can hit the mark that God has set for our lives, or we can miss that mark, coming up short of what God has intended for us. 

So when God states in His law that sexual perversion is an abomination in His sight in the Old Testament, then sexual perversion is also an abomination in His sight in the New Testament, and is still an abomination in His sight today. There was a punishment for this abomination.

• • "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." *** Leviticus 20:13

Those who had committed this abomination were to be put to death, and their blood was to be upon them. Israel was commanded to take these harsh steps to control the spread of such activities in their midst so their promise land would not be defiled.

God gave Israel the land of Canaan. Canaan was the son of Ham. Canaan begat the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgasites, the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, the Arvadites, the Zemarites and the Hamathites, *** Genesis 10:15-18. These were the people who occupied the land of Canaan when God gave it to Israel. Those dwelling in Israel at this time were the descendants of Ham. The Israelites, on the other hand, were from the descendants of Shem, Ham's brother. God commanded Israel to destroy everyone of the Canaanites, to make no covenants with them, not to marry their sons or their daughters, nor to give their sons or daughters in marriage to these heathen, and to destroy all their gods. These nations were involved in idol worship and sexual perversion. They were devoid of any relationship with the true and living God.

• • "Ye shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:
    (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled.) *** Leviticus 18:26-27

Because of these abominations, God gave the lands of the Canaanites to Israel, *** Deuteronomy 18:12. Sexual perversion was one of the main abominations the Canaanites committed before God when Israel occupied the land. Almost immediately Israel began to take on the abominations of the Canaanites because they refused to cast out the Canaanites as God had commanded them.

There are many forms of sexual perversion. One of the commandments God gave Israel before they entered into their promise land was, 

• • "Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold." *** Deuteronomy 17:17

When Solomon became king he married seven hundred wives, princesses and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart," *** I Kings 11:3. Solomon typifies a form of sexual perversion that is prevalent today. It is called "machoism", desiring every woman or every man that one sees. Many believe they are God's gift to women, and today, women believe they are to service every man. This is an abomination unto God. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth:

• • "Avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." *** I Corinthians 7:2

God has a husband for every woman and a wife for every man. But Israel followed the traditions of the heathen and married more than one wife. 

After Solomon's death, Rehoboam's son was made king. It is recorded,

• • "And Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked Him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.
    For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.
    And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord cast out before the children of Israel." *** I Kings 14:22-24

Israel had sodomites in their land. Today we do not use the word sodomite because it is offensive to those who practice this abomination. They are referred to as homosexuals and lesbians; but more preferably, gays. This sounds more acceptable to a permissive society and a permissive church. But it is still an abomination before God. This wickedness dwelt in Israel at the time of Jesus, and it dwells in the land today. When are we going to rid the land of this abomination?

When Jesus walked the earth, Rome and the government of Rome were full of homosexuals or sodomites. When Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, he addressed this abomination before God. Paul was speaking of God's creation and how man had perverted it,

• • "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
    Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
    For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
    And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
    And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient." *** Romans 1:24-28

God's Word says those who practice such things, God gave them up to uncleanness. These have changed the truth of God into a lie. They worship the creation more than the Creator. God has given them up to vile affections. Vile affections means "dishonorable desires". These will receive the recompense or payment; that which is meet or the judgment which is due for their error. Those who practice such things have not retained God in their knowledge. They have rejected their knowledge of God and do what pleases the flesh. And God has turned them over to a reprobate mind. Reprobate means "rejected of God". When these minds that are involved in this abomination have been rejected by God, they continue in their degradation.

• • "Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

    Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
    Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
    Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." *** Romans 1:29-32

They become filled with all unrighteousness. Even when they know the judgment of God, that they who do such things are worthy of death, not only continue to do them but they have pleasure in those who commit these abominations before God. Jude also wrote,

• • "Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." *** Jude 7

Sodom and Gomorrah were given to us as examples of God's judgment on such activities. The word Sodomite comes from Sodom. The word Sodom means "fettered, in bondage". Those who practice this abomination are in total bondage to that lifestyle. They forsake all others to be with those who practice this abomination. They are given over to a mind that has been rejected by God. 

Our God is a righteous judge. He judges nothing unless it is absolutely clear what is acceptable in His sight and what He must judge. He has given us many examples in His Word of His judgment on homosexuality. And yet this nation allows this abomination to march in the streets, wear the uniform of the nation, become police officers, teach our children and hold high government offices. If God judged the Canaanites because they defiled the land, can God allow this nation and this government to continue in this abomination without His hand of judgment being close?

It is well to ask, "What about the church?" Homosexuals sit in the congregations and nothing is said. No conviction is forth coming, nor is any separation demanded from such activities. It has become acceptable by many mainline, denominational systems, where known, practicing homosexuals are ordained into the ministry. This is abomination standing in the holy place. The prophet Jeremiah spoke of this,

• • "We are confounded, because we have heard reproach: shame hath covered our faces: for strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the Lord's house." *** Jeremiah 51:51

Strangers, those who do not retain God in their conscience, are standing in the sanctuaries (pulpits). These have become teachers of God's holy writ. What an abomination and affront before our God. It is a stink in His nostrils, and He has turned His face away. Anyone who has pleasure in such activities is the same as those who practice the abominable acts before God. There are homosexual churches that solemnize marriages between two practicing homosexuals in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the abomination above all abominations. We are warned in the Word, "God will not be mocked." 

• • "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." *** Galatians 6:7

Those who are sowing these seeds of abomination will reap the fury of God in their presence. We have God's Word on that. Matthew recorded the words of Jesus,

• • "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand.)" *** Matthew 24:15

The holy place is the pulpit of His sanctuary. The word desolation means "to make desolate". Nothing is more desolate than when the shepherd abandons the flock. When these abominations enter into the flock, and nothing is done about it, then the Great Shepherd will abandon that flock, and they will become a desolation in the sight of God. 

God judged the Canaanites and Sodom and Gomorrah, as examples to His chosen. And He will judge this abomination that is in our midst today. How far off can this judgment be? All the signs point to a soon judgment. Can we say we have not been warned?

USURY, AN ABOMINATION
CHAPTER TWO

• • "Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury." *** Deuteronomy 23:19

It was a law in Israel that they were to lend nothing on usury. It is by law that we have the knowledge of sin. The law declared that they were not to receive usury (interest), nor were they to pay usury. And yet, many of God's people's economy is based on receiving usury. God warned Israel against usury because He knew the end from the beginning. He knew that usury not only enslaves the people, but would ruin the economy of any nation who became a usury society.

Usury is interest on money borrowed or money invested. Both are an abomination to God. There are two main words translated as usury in the Old Testament: NASHAH which means "to borrow on interest or security". It also means "extortioner"; and NASHAK which means "to oppress with interest".

Many of God's people are indebted, and much of the money God provides for His people is paid out in godless usury. What an abomination in the sight of God! Under the direction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, many of the writers of the Old Testament spoke against the usury system. The prophet Ezekiel wrote of those who...

• • "Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up His eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,
    Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? He shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him." *** Ezekiel 18:12-13

Ezekiel equates the taking of usury with robbing the poor and needy by violence. He asks, "Will this man live?" His answer was, "He that hath done all these abominations, He shall not live." Ezekiel makes another comparison to those who take usury,

• • "And one hath committed abomination with his neighbour's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter.
    In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten Me, saith the Lord God." *** Ezekiel 22:11-12

Those who take usury do not appear in a very desirable group. Ezekiel calls them extortioners, and they have forgotten their God, "Saith the Lord God." It was God who spoke through Ezekiel's pen that we may know what is pleasing in His sight. The writer of Hebrews proclaimed,

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." *** Hebrews 13:8

God never changes. What was an abomination to Him in the Old Testament is still an abomination to Him today. When Israel returned from their Babylonian captivity, many who returned to Jerusalem were very wealthy, while others were quite poor. It was then, as it is today, those who had wealth oppressed those who were poor. Nehemiah recorded,

• • "And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews." *** Nehemiah 5:1

The people came to Nehemiah to complain against their brothers. Their cry was,

• • "...We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth." *** Nehemiah 5:3

A disaster had hit the land. There was a great draught, and those who had wealth took advantage of the situation, and caused the people to mortgage their lands, vineyards and houses. It is no different today. If someone needs the basic things of life, they must mortgage everything they have to the usurer to live. This is not God's way. It is an abomination to Him. Borrowing money to live was not the only bondage put on the people,

• • "There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards." *** Nehemiah 5:4

They also borrowed money to pay the king's tribute or tax. They not only had to pay a tax to the king, but also taxes on their lands and vineyards. Tax is a form of usury. Even though you may own something, you must pay the taxes to keep it. The poor people who returned to Jerusalem had to borrow money to pay these abominations. Their conditions were made worse because they suffered draught. The plight of those who returned to Israel is no different from the multitude of God's people today,

• • "Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards." *** Nehemiah 5:5

They had not only enslaved themselves to debt, they had enslaved their children to debt. The usurer had foreclosed on their lands and vineyards, their life and livelihood. When Nehemiah heard the cry of the people, he replied,

• • "Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them." *** Nehemiah 5:7

He set the assembly against the usurer, and told the malefactors of God's ordinance,

• • "...It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?" *** Nehemiah 5:9

Those who had enslaved God's people with usury and taxes were not walking in the fear of the Lord. They were running their lives by lust and greed, as is the whole financial system in the world today. It is the government's intentions to enslave the people, and they have done this through government aid and the lending institutions.

The people are crying out, but they do not have a Nehemiah to hear them. Nehemiah's cry to the usurer was...

• • "I pray you, let us leave off this usury." *** Nehemiah 5:10

Usury is an abomination unto our God, both to receive it and to pay it. Usury is inflationary and will ruin any economy which allows it, including the economy of the church. And yet, most churches will run to the lending institutions to get the money to build their bigger buildings, their schools, whatever they so desire. They pay these extortioners their godless usury. What kind of God do these churches serve, when they must commit an abomination before their God to serve their God? How can this be acceptable in the sight of God? It is not acceptable. It is a stink in His nostrils, and He will turn His face away from it.

Most of the messages given in these churches tickle the pupil's ears. This is done because they do not want to offend those who are paying the bills. Much of the message consists of the needs of the building and the building programs. All kinds of promotions are conceived to keep the people giving that they may pay the usury to the extortioners of the world. When these methods do not prove to be enough, they turn to the ways of the world to raise money to support their bigger barns. They put on chili suppers, ice cream socials, craft fairs, yard sales, fish fries, pancake breakfasts, bake sales, and so forth. Some have even opened restaurants in the church to pay the bills. What an abomination unto our God! 

When Jesus walked into the temple, He cleansed it of all the money changers. He proclaimed...

• • "...It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves." *** Luke 19:46 

Many churches today have become dens of thieves, making merchandise of men's souls for filthy lucre's sake. Some churches have investment programs and the church pays usury for the use of the money of God's people. Those who give usury and those who accept usury are an abomination before God. The Apostle Peter wrote,

• • "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." *** II Peter 2:3

God's judgment hand is about to fall on those who are part of this extortioner system. God is going to cleanse His temple again to cast out the money changers, those who have made His house a den of thieves instead of a house of prayer. Paul wrote,

• • "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." *** Romans 13:8

Owe no man anything. You say this is strictly an old fashioned idea? We serve an old fashioned God who knows that the ways of the ancients work. Many Christians are realizing that being debt free is God's will. Many will say, "I can't be debt free and live the way I do." Then maybe you had better change your way of life. 

In the book of Proverbs, Solomon wrote,

• • "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." *** Proverbs 22:7

The borrower is servant to the lender. How can we follow the ways of God and be indebted to the usurers of the world? Jesus said,

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." *** John 8:36

It is impossible to be free in the Son when you have not severed all relationships with the world. This unjust, greedy enslaving of the people mandates that the people must have security to indemnify the loan. Many times the poor will need a co-signer, someone who must risk what they have to acquire the loan for the one who does not have the means. The Bible warns against such activity. In the book of Proverbs, Solomon wrote,

• • "My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger." *** Proverbs 6:1

If we become surety (co-signer) for a friend, we have made a stranger or an enemy of our friend. When things go wrong and more money is needed and the request again comes to become a co-signer, if that request is refused, we have made an enemy of our friend. If the one requiring a co-signer fails to make his payments and the payments fall back on the co-signer, this causes separation and anger, thus making enemies.

• • "A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend." *** Proverbs 17:18

Solomon wrote the man void of understanding becomes a co-signer for his friend. Those who do not understand the ways of God fall into these traps set by man to enslave and separate. God has given His Word, those who live by any other standard are sure to be entrapped in the ways of the world and will be partakers of the abominable things unto our God.

Those who are involved in the giving and taking of usury (interest) need to repent and turn from this abomination and be restored unto the Father. Those who lend on usury are referred to as extortioners. Paul wrote,

• • "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat." *** I Corinthians 5:11

We are to separate ourselves from those who call themselves our brothers and are involved in the usury system. The extortioners are listed among the fornicators, covetous, idolaters, railers (abusers) and drunkards. We are not to fellowship or eat with these. Paul went on to say,

• • "I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
    Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

    But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat." *** I Corinthians 5:9-11

Those who practice usury will not inherit the kingdom of God. God will judge the extortioners of this world. We need to become part of God's economy; those who are not trying to serve two masters, those who are looking to the Father to meet all their needs according to His riches in glory.

Shall the man involved in usury live? He shall not live! God's life will not be manifested in the usurer. In the words of Nehemiah, I pray, "Leave off this usury."

THE THINGS THAT GOD HATES
CHAPTER THREE

Solomon spoke of the things that God hates, and the things that are an abomination unto Him in the book of Proverbs:

• • "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." *** Proverbs 6:16-19

Solomon listed six things that the Lord hates, and the seventh is an abomination unto Him. The word hate is SANE and means "to be opposed to" and is the opposite of love. It is an emotional attitude toward something that is detested. Solomon listed six things God is opposed to and detests.

# 1 A Proud Look

The word proud means "haughty look". This goes both ways. It is how one would appear before others, and how a person views another person. David, the Psalmist, wrote,

• • "Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me." *** Psalm 131:1

The haughty believe they are exalted in the eyes of others because they have become exalted in their own eyes. Solomon spoke of the haughty spirit,

"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." *** Proverbs 16:18

Pride must go or destruction will come. And the haughty spirit must be dealt with or we will fall. James wrote,

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up." *** James 4:10

We are to humble ourselves in the sight of God. This does not mean false humility where we act humble while we maintain a haughty spirit. Many appear humbled in the sight of man, but God knows their haughty spirit. God will never exalt the haughty spirit. He hates it. Many believe they are better than their brother or sister; more Spiritually endowed because they manifest one or more Spiritual gifts. Paul wrote,

• • "For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" *** I Corinthians 4:7 

If we manifest Spiritual gifts, where did we obtain them? If our Spiritual gifts come from God, why do we glory as if we have not received them from the Lord? Solomon wrote,

• • "Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility." *** Proverbs 18:12

If we want to be honored before our God, we must deal with the haughty spirit. We must humble ourselves, or the fall of man will continue in the earth.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote,

• • "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." *** Philippians 2:3

If there is strife or vain glory in what we are doing, then God cannot be glorified. Only in lowliness can God exalt us. Only when we esteem others better than ourselves, can God exalt us in His sight. God hates a proud look.

• • "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished." *** Proverbs 16:5

God will humble the proud, and we can be assured by His Word that He will also deal with the haughty Spirit.

# 2 A Lying Tongue

The word lying is SHEQUER and means "deceitful, betray, fraud, injurious". There cannot be too much said about the tongue. James had much to say about the tongue,

• • "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." *** James 1:26

A man who claims to be religious (in God's service), if he does not bridle his tongue, his service before God is worthless. Jesus only spoke the things He heard the Father saying. The world proclaims they are the "Pepsi Generation", if it feels good, do it. The religious system has adopted the same attitude. If it sounds good, say it. We need to learn to bridle our tongues. James proclaimed,

• • "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." *** James 1:19

We are to be swift to hear and slow to speak. We are to consider our words before we speak, whether they be of the Father or of the flesh. James went on,

• • "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
    And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." *** James 3:5-6

The tongue is a world of iniquity (lawlessness). It defiles the whole body.

"The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." *** James 3:8

Only God can tame our tongue. It is full of deadly poison. We must commit our tongue unto our God, so that He may bring it into subjection to His will. 

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." *** Proverbs 18:22

What we speak is what we get. If we speak life, we will receive life. If we speak death, then death dwells in us. It is of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaketh, *** Matthew 12:34. Our words justify or condemn us. Peter recorded,

• • "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile." *** I Peter 3:10

We are to refrain our tongue from evil and speak no guile (deceit). God hates a deceitful tongue. Our tongue should always bring glory to His name. Deceit is the lowest form of lying. When we use our mouth to deceive, God records it as a lie. And no liar will enter into the kingdom of God, *** Revelation 21:27. James concluded,

• • "Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." *** James 3:10

When we use our mouth to praise God, and then with the same mouth curse, deceive, and betray for fraud, or to injure another, James reports that these things ought not to be. Why? Because God hates a lying tongue.

• • "Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are His delight." *** Proverbs 12:22

# 3 Hands that shed innocent blood

The word for innocent is NAKI and means "blameless, guileless, exempted and free". There are only two kinds of innocent blood on earth today; the unborn and the newborn. When the blood of the unborn is shed, it is called abortion. Today, abortions are legal in many parts of the world. God hates, abhors and detests abortion. 

Three times in the world's history, when the world needed a deliverer, the killing of the newborn was practiced. When God needed a deliverer to deliver His people from Egypt (world), all the newborn sons were to be thrown into the Nile River. When Moses was born this order was in effect, and Moses' mother and father heeded this order. They threw Moses into the Nile. Only they provided a covering for him which protected him from the king's order. We have this same protection in the Holy Spirit.

The second time the world needed a deliverer, Herod ordered all the children in Bethlehem, two years old and younger, to be slaughtered to destroy the deliverer, Jesus. The angel of the Lord directed Joseph to flee with the child to protect Him from this order. 

The third time the world needs a deliverer is today when millions of the innocent blood is being sacrificed to the god of sex; do your own thing and if you get caught, simply destroy (murder) the child. The world has gone sex crazy. Pre-teenage girls are having abortions. The schools, government agencies and even the churches are passing out condoms, putting their stamp of approval on fornication. These all have a part in shedding innocent blood. When Manasseh was King over Israel he shed innocent blood.

• • "Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the Lord." *** II Kings 21:16

He filled the streets of Jerusalem with innocent blood. And today, if all the aborted children were thrown into our streets, truly our streets would be filled with innocent blood. God spoke to Israel at this time.

• • "For the innocent blood that he (Manasseh) shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the Lord would not pardon." *** II Kings 24:4

God will not pardon the shedding of innocent blood. Many will say, I have never had an abortion. Those who condone this crime against God in their hearts are as guilty as those who allow it or perform it. God will judge any nation who allows the shedding of innocent blood. He will not pardon those who have condoned this detestable act in their hearts. David, the Psalmist, asked the question,

"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place?

His answer was,

• • "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up His soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully." *** Psalm 24:3-4

Those who shed innocent blood will not ascend unto the hill of the Lord, because they have shed innocent blood which God will not pardon. Their hands are not clean before God, nor are their hearts pure.

# 4 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations

The heart of man is his mind, or his thinking processes by which his body functions. God states that He hates (abhors) the person who devises wicked imaginations in his or her heart. The word deviseth is the word CHARASH and means "to plow or engrave". When evil is etched in a person's mind, they are evil. Solomon wrote,

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." *** Proverbs 23:7

As we think, so we are. This was the reason God destroyed all His creation except that which was on the ark in the time of Noah.

• • "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." *** Genesis 6:5

Man had come to the place where he was a stink in God's nostrils because his heart continually devised wicked imaginations. Man's heart was set. He thought he could do all things without Christ. He no longer desired to retain God in all his thoughts. And because of this, God turned them over to a reprobate mind. *** Romans 1:18

God spoke to the prophet Ezekiel and disclosed the thoughts of man's heart. God told Ezekiel to lift up his eyes and look toward the north, (this is the direction of God's throne), and see the great abominations that the house of Israel committed there, *** Ezekiel 8:6. God wanted Ezekiel to see the abominations His people were performing before His throne.

• • "And He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall.
    Then said He unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door.
    "And He said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here." *** Ezekiel 8:7-9

God brought Ezekiel to a hole, an opening. Then He told Ezekiel to enter into the thought processes of the people of Israel, but mostly the elders of the tribes.

• • "So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about." *** Ezekiel 8:10

God exposed to Ezekiel the things the people had on their minds. The people of Israel had displayed everything that was an abomination before God on the walls of their minds. These abominations controlled their thought processes.

• • "And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up." *** Ezekiel 8:11

Ezekiel saw the seventy elders of Israel with censers in their hands. Incense is the symbol of praise. A thick cloud of incense was offered up. This was an offering of strange fire before the Lord. Aaron's two sons, Nadab and Abihu, were struck dead because they had offered this strange fire before the Lord, *** Leviticus 10:1. These seventy included Jaazaniah, the son of Shaphan, who was the chief among the elders of Israel.

• • "Then said He unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? For they say, The Lord seeth us not; the Lord hath forsaken the earth." *** Ezekiel 8:12

This was done in the imagery of their minds. They were worshipping their false gods, not openly, but in their minds. In their hearts they thought God had forsaken the earth, their earth. God was no longer present nor a part of their lives.

• • "He said unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do.

    Then He brought me to the door of the gate of the Lord's house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz." *** Ezekiel 8:13-14

God showed Ezekiel the next abomination: the women were weeping for Tammuz. Tammuz was a Babylonian god. He was supposedly the husband of Ishtar, also called Asherah, the goddess of fertility. Their legend states, Tammuz died every autumn and reappeared again in the spring, bringing forth new life. Then the marriage between the fertility goddess and Tammuz brought forth new life. 

The Christian community has adopted these activities to supposedly celebrate the resurrection of Christ. This is the celebration Christians call Easter. The Word reveals that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was reckoned or dated along with the Passover. The Passover celebration was in the first month of the Jewish calendar. The month was called Abib or Nissan. Jesus' body had to be removed from the cross before the feast day of Passover, the 14th of Abib. He was resurrected three days later, or on the morning of the 17th of Abib. The Christian celebration of Easter is not reckoned or dated from the Passover, but rather the vernal equinox, to celebrate the springing forth of new life. Easter is celebrated with baby chicks and baby rabbits; both are symbols of fertility. 

Easter may arrive as early as March, or as late as May. The word Easter is taken from the word EASTRA. Eastra was the goddess of fertility, or the goddess of Spring. The women were weeping for Tammuz. What were the men doing?

• • "Then said He unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these.
    And He brought me into the inner court of the Lord's house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east." *** Ezekiel 8:15-16

God would show Ezekiel a greater abomination, and that was those who had turned their back to the temple of God, the true place of worship, were worshipping the rising sun. Today, the Christian churches still have their sunrise services every year to pay homage to the goddess of fertility, Eastra. They may do it ignorantly, but it is an abhorrence unto the Lord and a stink in His nostrils.

• • "Then He said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke Me to anger: and lo, they put the branch to their nose." *** Ezekiel 18:17

The people had filled the land with violence. The word violence is HAMAS and means "extreme wickedness". And they returned to provoke Him to anger. Ezekiel proclaimed that they put the branch to their noses. This action was to show contempt. We ask, "Who is the branch?" The prophet Zechariah showed us who the branch was and is,

• • "And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is the BRANCH; and He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the Lord." *** Zechariah 6:12

The temple of the Lord is the Body of Christ, and the BRANCH will build it. That BRANCH is Christ Jesus. When they celebrate these heathen holidays, even in ignorance, they have held the BRANCH to their noses. They have shown forth contempt for God's Word. This produces a contemptible smell. God revealed unto Ezekiel what He would do to those who practiced these abominations...

• • "Therefore will I also deal in fury: Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in Mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them." *** Ezekiel 8:18

When they cry in God's ear He will not hear them. He will turn a deaf ear to them when His judgment is poured out on those who do the abominable things in His sight. Solomon wrote, God hates those who devise wicked imaginations. Paul also wrote to the Corinthians,

• • "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." *** II Corinthians 10:5

Paul informed the Corinthians that they were to cast down vain imaginations. The word vain means "worthless; that which does not profit God". We are to cast down every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, or that which we know God desires in our lives. If we have thoughts that do not glorify God, we are to cast them down and bring every thought into the obedience of Christ. When we do this, we will glorify God with every fibre of our body. Everything we do, say or feel will be pleasing in His sight. God hates the heart that devises wicked imaginations. The prophet Jeremiah wrote,

• • "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" *** Jeremiah 17:9

We need to bring every thought unto the obedience of Christ if we are to become pleasing in His sight and acceptable in His kingdom.

# 5 Feet that be swift in running to mischief

The word mischief is RA and appears 640 times in the Old Testament. It is translated 32 different ways. It is translated evil 444 times, wickedness 54 times, wicked 31 times, mischief 22 times, hurt 20 times and trouble 10 times. The basic use of the word would be evil and wickedness. So we ask the question, "What is evil in the sight of God?" The natural answer would be, "Evil is the opposite of good." It is also the opposite of peace. The prophet Samuel records,

"There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked." *** Isaiah 48:22

The wicked know no peace. Those who are running continually to do evil, know no peace. When we ask then, "What is evil?", the answer would be, "Those who are not doing good in the sight of God, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding is not resident in their lives." The Psalmist writes,

• • "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." *** Psalm 1:1

We are not to incorporate the counsel of the ungodly in our lives. And yet, the ungodly have much to say as to how the church system is run. The government tells God's people what they can and cannot do. Our children are taught in public schools by atheists, agnostics, by those who subscribe to the middle eastern religions and especially the new-agers who deny God and make man the center of all things. This ancient cult has surfaced and is in power in every facet of life, especially the public school system.

God's people are swift to send their children to sit in the counsel of the ungodly when God specifically warns against it. 

A note: There are many godly, dedicated teachers in the public school system, but they are in the minority and are becoming more and more in the minority as they are replaced with those who subscribe to the new age order. 

We are not to stand in the way of sinners, *** Psalm 1:1. The word standeth means "to abide or continue in the way" of sinners. When we accept the teachings of Jesus in our lives, and our sins are forgiven, then we are no longer to abide or continue in the ways of the sinners. Yet, many Christians whose feet are swift in running to mischief, cannot wait to get to the video store to rent the latest abomination from Hollywood, or to the grocery store to get the latest trash newspaper, or to the bookstore to buy the latest in nudity or sexual perverted books. Then many who call themselves Christians, take that which God has provided (all wealth comes from the Lord, *** Deuteronomy 8:18), and rush down to pick their latest lotto numbers. All, of course, for the glory of God.

Many have the ritual of rushing around to get dinner over so they can plant themselves before the T.V. to be filled with violence, sexual perversion and adultery, the use of alcohol, filthy language and fake laughter. God inspired David, the Psalmist, to write,

"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." *** Psalm 101:3

God hates the work of them that turn aside to watch the evil they have set before their eyes, because they do not cleave to Him. These who do such things usually sit in the seat of the scornful for they justify what they are doing. They show scorn to those who do not partake in such activities. Their feet are swift to run to all forms of mischief (evil), and because of the other activities in their lives, they have not time for the things of God. Their time and money are consumed by their gods; the pleasures of the world. 

Moses, who was God's chosen vessel to deliver His people from their bondage in Egypt, is an example to God's people today. The writer of Hebrews recorded,

• • "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
    Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." *** Hebrews 11:24-25

Sin is pleasure for a season. But the wages of sin is death because we miss the mark of the high calling of God in our lives. Those who are constantly running to mischief and evil have already missed the mark, and need to redirect their lives to be pleasing in the sight of their God.

# 6 A FALSE WITNESS THAT SPEAKETH LIES

God hates a false witness, one who testifies falsely against someone, or about someone, or testifies about something that is false. The word false is the word SHEQER and means "a deception, disappointment, falsehood, or a false tongue". The word speaketh means "to be utterly deceitful". The word lie means "not truthful in what we say or do". The obvious conclusion in looking at this scripture would be that Solomon is speaking of those who are a false witness against someone in a trial or event who needs witnesses against someone. When they tried Jesus, they called false witnesses against Him to testify saying what the chief priests wanted them to say, so they might rid themselves of His presence and His teachings. One of the ten commandments states,

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." *** Exodus 20:16

This commandment was quoted by Jesus and was recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke. Paul also quoted this commandment in his letter to the Romans. Solomon's use of "false witness" has this meaning. But false witness also has another meaning, and that is, when we pretend to be something we are not. Then we are a false witness for that which we are representing.

Another commandment God gave Moses was,

• • "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain." *** Exodus 20:7

When we hear someone use the name of the Lord as profanity, many say they are taking the name of the Lord in vain. The word vain means "emptiness, worthlessness and lying". Those who are using our Lord's name as profanity are simply ignorant of their actions, because their minds have not been renewed by the glorious gospel of the truth. Jesus spoke of the vain actions of those who are called by His name.

• • "Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." *** Mark 7:7

When His people are following the doctrines of men, they are worshipping Him in vain. If we are to be pleasing in God's sight, we can only worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Today, multitudes call themselves Christians, especially those in this nation. It has become as the word "Gentile" was to the Jew. All who were not Jews were Gentiles. Today, many who are not Jewish call themselves Christians. The word Christian means "Christ Ones, Followers of Christ, or In-Christed Ones". The word Christian or Christians is only used three times in the New Testament. We are informed,

"...The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." *** Act 11:26

The word disciple means "follower or learner". The disciples of Christ are learners or followers of Christ. Those who have taken the name of the Lord "Christ" in vain are those who have taken that name, and it has become worthless and empty in their lives. This is evident when they say they are Christians and do not live a Christ-pleasing life. Their life becomes a lie before God and man. They try to worship God by keeping the commandments of man as set forth by the church systems. They have taken the name of the Lord "Christ" in vain and the Spirit of Truth is not in them, nor is the Spirit of Truth working in their lives to bring the changes necessary to produce Christ in them which is their hope in glory, *** Colossians 1:27. Jesus has been given as an example we should follow, *** I Peter 2:21. If we do not follow this example, we will not sit on the right hand of the Father, nor will we be joint-heirs with Christ Jesus.

Moses gave the law, but grace and truth came by Jesus, *** John 1:17. When Thomas asked Jesus, "How can we know the way?" Jesus answered,

• • "...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." *** John 14:5-6

Jesus proclaimed that He was the way. Many think that, by believing Jesus is the way, they can come to the Father. It is not by believing in the way, that we come to the Father. It is by walking in the way that will lead us to the Father. Peter stated Jesus was our example and we should follow in His steps. Then we must walk in the steps of our example that is set before us if we are going to come to the Father. If we do not pattern our lives after the example, the pattern God has given us, then we have taken His name in vain, and we have become a false witness of the life of Christ. God hates this. He is looking for a people He can live His life through. Jesus spoke, 

• • "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." *** Luke 12:32 

God has a little flock that will walk in His way. He has a multitude that believe in His way but walk in the ways of the world. This, God hates. Our lives need not be a lying witness of the life of Christ.

THE ABOMINATION OF DIVISION
CHAPTER FOUR

Solomon wrote by the wisdom of God and the Holy Spirit anointing, 

• • "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him." *** Proverbs 6:16

Solomon listed six things that defile the flesh before God. 
1 - A proud look
2 - A lying tongue
3 - Hands that shed innocent blood
4 - An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations
5 - Feet that are swift in running to mischief
6 - A false witness that speaketh lies
The seventh thing that Solomon listed as an abomination unto the Father was: 
7 - He that soweth discord among the brethren. 
This defiles the man in his Spiritual walk before God.

There are those in the Body who are continually sowing discord. The word discord means "strife and contention which brings division". Those who sow strife and contention among the Body of Christ are a stink in the nostrils of God and an abomination before the Lord.

Many times strife and contention come because people are offended by the Word. Those who do not want to be cleansed by the washing of water by the Word become offended, causing strife and contention, which sows discord among the brethren. Offensiveness to the Word causes them to divide the flock. Jesus came to bring division. He proclaimed,

• • "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division." *** Luke 12:51

Jesus came to bring division. He came to speak the words of the Father and to divide those who were following man's religion from those who would live by the Word of life. If the words of life produce strive and contention, it is not the Word that should change, but the hearer of the Word. Jesus said,

• • "It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life." *** John 6:63

Jesus spoke the words of life, which are Spiritual. Those He spoke to were carnal, fleshly; following their worldly religions. When Jesus spoke, the people were offended.

• • "Then came His disciples, and said unto Him, Knowest Thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?" *** Matthew 15:12

The Pharisees were offended because the words Jesus spoke exposed their man-made worship of God. And they stood guilty before the God of the whole creation. 

John also wrote,

"So there was a division among the people because of Him." *** John 7:43

Jesus came to bring division, but not to sow strife, contention and discord. Jesus' only motive was to speak the words He heard the Father saying, and do that which He saw the Father doing. When we come into the place where we only speak the words of the Father and only do what we see Him doing, then the Body of Christ will be united, making Him the head of all things, which is Christ. Paul spoke of those who stir up envy, strife and contention.

• • "Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
    The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds." *** Philippians 1:15-16

There are those who are prompted by envy to preach Christ. They are envious of a man's position. These have no relationship with Christ, they simply want the position, recognition and respect of the people. These always cause strife in the Body. Their position is in the flesh because there is no anointing in what they are doing. They are constantly defending their position by eliminating those who stand in opposition to their acquired position.

Those who are a threat to their acquired position are shuffled aside and informed not to make waves. But it is generally the strangers of God who stand in the holy place and stir up more strife and contention in the assembly. All who are involved in such activities are an abomination unto God in all they do. 

Those who preach Christ of contention are those who preach Christ for profit, self-seeking ambition, for rivalry and their self-willed nature. These are the hireling that Jesus spoke of,

• • "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
    The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." *** John 10:12-13

The hireling preaches Christ of contention for his self-seeking, self-willed motives and for profit. To him that is hired, it is simply a job. When a better job comes along, he fleeth the flock because he careth not for the sheep. It is the sheep who are required to care for the shepherd. But Jesus states,

• • "I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." *** John 10:11

Those who preach Christ of contention will sow discord among the brethren. They are a stink in God's nostrils. Multitudes have been driven from the church because they have been offended. Solomon wrote in Proverbs,

• • "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle." *** Proverbs 18:19

Those who have been turned away from the Body by those who are self-willed and self-seeking are next to impossible to restore to fellowship in the local Body because their wounds are deep. Jesus spoke of those who offend a babe in Christ,

• • "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." *** Matthew 18:6

God forgives sin when it is confessed before Him. Those who are an abomination in His sight demand a much sorer punishment. Those who are guilty of sowing discord among the brethren will be dealt with in God's severity. Today we hear much about God's goodness, but very little concerning the severity of God. Paul wrote to the Romans,

• • "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." *** Romans 11:22

We hear so much about a "goody, goody" God. We forget, or overlook, the fact that He is a God of judgment. Those who are an abomination in His sight will be judged and judged severely. In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he admonished them,

• • "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." *** I Corinthians 1:10

Paul begged the church at Corinth to all speak the same thing. He did not desire them to espouse the same denominational doctrine, but that they would all speak the Word, and be joined in the same mind. That mind is the mind of Christ. When this becomes evident in the local Body, then the Word will not bring division, strife or contention, but unity, love and concern for one another. Paul later wrote, "That there would be no schism in the Body." All members should have the same care for one another. *** I Corinthians 12:25

Paul's letters to the Corinthians, as all his letters, were to promote unity through the Spirit in the local assemblies. But there were divisions in the church at Corinth, as there is in the local Body today.

• • "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" *** I Corinthians 3:3

It was their carnality that caused envying, strife and division. Yet, in many cases, it is those who believe they are spiritually mature in the Lord who are guilty of causing envying, strife and contention in the Body. It becomes clear that, when their actions are judged by the Word, they are still carnal, self-willed and self-motivated. These must be dealt with in the local Body if we are to fulfill the purpose of Christ in the church. Proverbs informs us,

• • "Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease." *** Proverbs 22:10

God is dealing with those who are involved in things He hates, the things that cause error in the flesh. But those who sow discord among the brethren will demand a much greater judgment than the sins of the flesh. Those who are an abomination in His sight will suffer the severity of our God. Those who sow discord among the brethren are a stink in the nostrils of God.

SPIRITUAL WHOREDOM, SPIRITUAL ABOMINATION
CHAPTER FIVE

When we think of adultery, we naturally think of two people coming together in a sexual relationship with someone other than their wife or husband. Another word used interchangeably with adultery is fornication. Fornication usually refers to a sexual relationship between two that are unmarried. Paul addressed this in the church at Corinth,

• • "It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife." *** I Corinthians 5:1

Paul addressed the adulterous conduct of a man who was in the church who had his father's wife. This was not his mother, but his stepmother. Paul informed the church how they were to deal with this situation. 

• • "...ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you." *** I Corinthians 5:2

He admonished the church for they were not grieved in the spirit because of this adulterer who was allowed to sit in their midst. He informed them to remove him from their midst. Fornicators should not be allowed to sit in the midst of the congregation. Yet, today, those who are not married, or those who are having an open affair, are allowed to sit in the church. Nothing is said nor is the church grieved in their spirit at such activity being present in the midst. They have become a permissive, unholy people who have no fear of the righteous judgment of a holy God. Paul informed them,

• • "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    To deliver such an one unto satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." *** I Corinthians 5:4-5

Paul's instructions seemed to be cruel and harsh, but when they came together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and when the power of the Holy Spirit was present, they were to deliver this man into the hands of satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his soul might be saved. Paul's desire was to bring this vile person to repentance that he might repent of his evil ways and turn back to a holy, righteous and forgiving God. The modern church would say this is not the act of love toward a brother or sister. What a warped, distorted view the church has of love. They would rather love their brother or sister into everlasting destruction of the soul, than to see the body destroyed that the offender could be brought to repentance. What a god we have made of the flesh. Paul told the Corinthians,

• • "Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?" *** I Corinthians 5:6

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. If sin is not dealt with in the church, the whole congregation will be affected. Paul concluded,

"I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators." *** I Corinthians 5:9

We are not to associate ourselves with fornicators; not in the world and especially not in the church.

• • "Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world." *** I Corinthians 5:10

Paul went on, he did not stop at fornicators. He listed the covetous, extortioners and idolaters. If this list was removed from the modern church there would not be enough left to fill one row of padded pews, and the collection would not pay one day of their godless usury on the building.

If the covetous, extortioners, idolaters and fornicators are what the church is made up of, Paul said you might just as well go out into the world, because the church is made up of all these worldly traits. Paul was not content to stop at the adulterers, the covetous, the extortioners or idolaters. He went on:

• • "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat." *** I Corinthians 5:11

He listed railers and drunkards. The railers are those who bring reproach upon the congregation and the drunkards are those who abuse alcohol to the place where it takes control of their better judgment. If this list was removed from the church, many of the pulpits would be empty. Isaiah spoke of the hirelings who occupy many pulpits today.

• • "His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 
    Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
    Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant." *** Isaiah 56:10-12

His watchmen are His pastors. These Pastors are not warning the people to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. They are teaching the people that tomorrow will be the same as today, and much more abundant. They teach the people to be greedy, covetous, and to desire the things of this world, and to fulfill the lust of the flesh. Paul, in addressing the fornicators and the adulterers in the church at Corinth, wrote in the sixth chapter for the people to... 

• • "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." *** I Corinthians 6:18

Every sin a man commits outside his body hinders his spiritual walk with God. But those who indulge in fornication sin against their own body. God will judge fornication in our flesh in this time. 

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul laid it on the line,

• • "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." *** Ephesians 5:5

These are the things that will keep anyone who indulges in such activities, out of the kingdom of God. Paul addressed physical adultery. It is a sin against the flesh, and God will judge fornication and adultery in the flesh. But God speaks of spiritual adultery; when man has prostituted his relationship with his Creator and goes awhoring after other gods. This is an abomination unto God. God will deal severely with those who indulge in spiritual adultery.

God warned Israel before they entered into their promise land not to mingle themselves with the inhabitants of the land of Canaan.

• • "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
    Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice." *** Exodus 34:14-15

Our God is a jealous God. One of His many names is "Jealous". God spoke through Moses that, if Israel made a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, they would go awhoring after their gods. The word whoring is the Hebrew word ZANA and means to "commit illicit, sexual activity". It also has another meaning of "committing national harlotry". God warned Israel that, not only would they worship the false gods of the heathen committing spiritual adultery, but they would adopt the ways of the heathen nations. Both are an abomination unto our God.

Israel did not heed God's warning. When they came into their promise land, they made covenants with the people which God had told them to totally destroy. Israel began to commit spiritual adultery with the gods of the heathen. These gods had various names, and each god was worshipped in their own way. These same gods are being worshipped today in the world, and by the church as well. Only they are not called by their original names. 

Israel turned to the god of the heathens. When Solomon became king he married many heathen wives, building high places in his kingdom for all their heathen gods. Because of this abomination, God's judgment was upon Israel, and God divided their kingdom.

• • "Because that they have forsaken Me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in My ways, to do that which is right in Mine eyes, and to keep My statutes and My judgments, as did David his father." *** I Kings 11:33

Israel worshipped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh, the goddess of the Moabites, and Milcom, the god of the children of Ammon.

ASHTORETH

The Zidonians, or Sidonians as they were sometimes referred to, were not dispossessed by Israel when they came into their promise land. When Solomon became king, the worship of Ashtoreth was already prominent in Israel. God told Israel to totally destroy every man, woman and child, along with their heathen gods. But Israel failed to do this, going awhoring after their heathen gods. 

Israel was enticed to worship Ashtoreth. Ashtoreth was the goddess of sensual love, fertility and war. We live in a nation that is so taken up by sex and violence, that our children know no other way of life in this nation. One of the first toys a child receives is a gun. Part of the children's play is pretending to shoot someone. This is true of children of Christians as well as worldly children. Most of what is shown on TV is sex or crime related. Can we not say that we are not worshipping Ashtoreth, the goddess of sex and violence?

Many times these two are intertwined. When sex and violence are combined, it is called "masochism" where pain is inflicted during the act of sex. This defilement of God's natural use of the woman is an abomination in His sight. The worship of Ashtoreth has entered into the church as those, who are called by the name of Christ, watch the latest trash from the video store with its nudity, perverted sex and violence. Their children, who are to be raised in the admonition of the Lord, are allowed to watch this abomination unto our God. Or the children, for a few dollars, can rent these videos themselves and indulge in this godless activity when their parents are absent. 

We live in a sex-crazed world because we have not dealt with the enemies in our land. The enemy purveys and spreads its corrupting, sinful, perverted literature across the newsstands of the world. We have allowed magazines, which are published expressly for the purpose of showing nudity and sexual activity, mostly perverted, to be displayed openly in the grocery stores, drug stores, news stands and even in public schools. Our children are constantly being exposed to the filth of the world. Sex education, which begins in grade school, also encourages our children to indulge in sexual activity before they are old enough to know what it is all about. Is it any wonder teenage pregnancy is out of control, and before girls are out of high school they have had one or two abortions? The worship of Ashtoreth is very evident in the earth today.

CHEMOSH

Chemosh was the god of the Moabites. Moab was the incestuous son of Lot by his eldest daughter. The worship of Chemosh was so strong in Moab that the inhabitants of Moab were called the children of Chemosh, *** Numbers 21:29. The worship of Chemosh included the sacrifice by fire of the children. God warned the nation, Israel, not to make their children pass through the fire. The sacrifice of their children was supposed to appease their god, Chemosh.

Most Christians today would say, "I would never make or allow my children to pass through the fire to worship the god of Chemosh." Yet, these same Christians, as well as the world, will allow their children to indulge in life-destroying activities while the parents are busy amassing the things of the world. And the children are neglected. Many children in so-called Christian homes feel unneeded and unwanted, and because of this, they turn to the life-destroying use of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, snuff and other uses of nicotine, all of which destroy the health and will eventually destroy the life. These activities take place because the parents are too busy to raise the children God has given them, and they are allowed to just grow up, desiring the things of the world more than the things of God. Today, teenage suicide is out of control. Our children are being put through the fire and many are not making it. Can we not say we are worshipping the god of Chemosh?

MILCOM

Milcom was the god of Ammon. Ammon was the second incestuous son of Lot. The god, Milcom, was also known as Malcham and Molech. Milcom was called the "Abomination of the Ammonites".

• • "And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile." *** II Kings 23:13

The worship of the false gods defiled Solomon. Solomon had built places of worship for all the abominations of the heathen. The idol of Milcom, or Molech, was made of brass and had extended arms. When the sacrifice of a child was to be made, this dumb idol was heated until it was red hot. Then the parents of the child or the priest of Molech would lay the child on these red, hot arms. Accounts of these sacrifices reported that the screams of these children were heard for great distances. These activities were an abomination unto God and to man, alike.

Many will say, "We would never be part of such activities." How, then, would we worship Molech? In this nation, and in much of the world, abortion is legal. The high court of this nation has declared the murder of our unborn as legal under the constitution. The constitution was drawn to protect the rights of all mankind. The framers of the constitution allowed no place for this godless activity in its contents. This mockery of the constitution has brought the judgment hand of God upon this nation. When this judgment is complete, God will have completely destroyed this system of government. Abortions are performed in doctor's offices, abortion clinics and hospitals. There have been reports from hospitals and abortion clinics where the fetuses of the aborted children are burned in incinerators, that screams were heard coming from the incinerators. The god of Molech is very much in evidence in the earth today. 

When the worship of Ashtoreth, the goddess of sensual love and fertility, is practiced by a person or nation, these turn to the worship of Molech, while the screams of the children are drowned out by another round of drinks, or another shot of drugs. May God have mercy on those who are called by His name, who participate in such activities or allow their children to ignorantly worship the god of Molech. 

Those who stand in the pulpits of many denominations condone this godless activity. They proclaim abortion is OK if the mother's life is in danger. God is the giver of life, and the keys of death and hell are in His hands, *** Revelation 1:18. Those whom make the decision of who can live and not live are playing God. God will severely judge these godless occupants of the pulpits. They are an abomination unto God. Those who make such decisions are, as satan, desiring to take the place of God. Matthew stated,

• • "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand). *** Matthew 24:15

Those who stand in the holy place and have denied the Word and proclaim that partaking in the abominations of the heathen is OK are, themselves, an abomination unto God and a stink in His nostrils. We can be assured of one thing, God will judge all those who are involved in the worship of Molech.

BAAL

Baal was the false god most worshipped by the Canaanites. He was the god of agriculture, or the god of increase. When Israel came into their promise land, they began Baal worship almost immediately. Baal was the god of ease and plenty. Baal worship appealed to all five senses of the flesh.

The word Baal means "lord or master". Baal represents all those things that rule and reign over the flesh. Israel named their children after Baal. Many of their cities were named after Baal. Baal was recorded as being the son of Dagon. 

Dagon was the chief god of agriculture and worshipped by the Babylonians, Assyrians, Canaanites, Phoenicians and Philistines. When the Ark of God was taken by the Philistines, it was placed in the temple of Dagon in Ashdod. Three times Dagon fell on his face before the Ark until his hands and head were cut off on the threshold of the temple. The Word proclaims...

• • "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth." *** Philippians 2:10

Every knee will bow to the name of Jesus; every false idol will fall prostrate before His holy name.

It was in the temple of Dagon that Samson regained his strength. Samson had a young boy show him the pillars that supported the temple. Samson brought down the house of Dagon upon himself, killing about three thousand worshippers of Dagon. 

King Saul's head and the heads of his sons were hung on the temple of Dagon in Bethshan. Saul was not the only one who lost his head over Dagon and Baal, the god of plenty. Israel went awhoring after the things of Baal. Today the church has prostituted itself to get the things of the world. Many churches teach a "prosperity message". They teach to desire all the things of the world for it is God's intended purpose for His saints. They demand from God that He give them all these things if they are to serve Him. Then we understand that the church has committed spiritual whoredom against God in their lust of the flesh to serve the god of plenty and increase. Their total involvement with the worship of Baal is an abomination unto God, and their idol worship will keep them from the kingdom and the presence of our God.

John wrote,

• • "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth." *** III John 2

It is of no interest to God how much money a person has, as long as he does not worship it. Paul wrote to Timothy,

• • "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." *** I Timothy 6:10

The love of money is the root of how much evil? All evil. And those who have coveted after money have erred from the faith. Paul went on to state,

• • "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience meekness." *** I Timothy 6:11

Yet, those in the church who are supposed to be living by the Word of God, covet, hoard up and worship their wealth. They call it their security which they have laid up for a rainy day. This is a deceitful lie. A tornado could not get them to touch their Baal god. James wrote,

• • "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
    Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth eaten.
    Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days." *** James 5:1-3

We live in the last days. Many of those who call themselves Christian are amassing much wealth to hedge against the wrath. They overlook or ignore the words of Ezekiel,

• • "They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity." *** Ezekiel 7:19

Those who are heaping up treasures for the last day do not understand that their wealth cannot deliver them in the day of His wrath. They have not cut out this root of evil in their walk. They have not fled from their Baal worship, and followed after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness. These are fruit of the Spirit. Those who worship Baal follow the fruit of the flesh. James wrote,

• • "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." *** James 4:4

Those who commit their spiritual whoredoms with the world are enemies of God. Jesus spoke to the people on the Mount,

• • "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
    For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." *** Luke 12:33-34

We need to ask ourselves, "Where is our heart?" Is it in the things we possess, or is our heart on our Baal worship, serving the gods of this world, the god of increase? Or, do we enjoy eating from the cornucopia of Baal? 

If we apply the words of Jesus in our lives, it is plain to see that those who look to take care of 'ole number one are not rich in the things of God. Paul wrote to the Romans,

• • "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." *** Romans 14:17

When Jesus walked on the earth, He drove the money changers out of the temple. And He will, again, cleanse His temple of Baal worship before He raises up His temple the third day, which is the Body of Christ. Cast down the temple of Baal in this life that we may be the temple of the Holy Spirit when the change comes in this Body. If we continue in the abominations of our God, then God will do us hurt. God's judgment is sure. And as Jesus declared to His twelve disciples,

• • "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." *** Luke 21:36

Those who are committing spiritual adultery in the eyes of God will never be counted worthy to escape all the things that shall come to pass. Nor will those who commit spiritual adultery stand before the Son of man. 

As Joshua, we need to choose today whom we will serve; the gods of this world, or the True and Living God.

Nehushtan

Another God that Israel worshipped was Nehushtan. This was not a god of the heathens, but a god they made out of the serpent Moses raised up in the wilderness. When Israel was in their wilderness journey, they became discouraged because their way was hard.

• • "And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread,
    And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died." *** Numbers 21:5-6

God wrought a great judgment against Israel. God sent fiery serpents to bite those who had murmured. The word fiery means "poisonous". God sent poisonous snakes in the midst of the people and the Word records that much people died.

• • "Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that He take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people." *** Numbers 21:7

When the people repented, God spoke to Moses to make a fiery serpent and put it on a pole. When the people were bitten, if they would look upon the fiery serpent, they would live, *** Numbers 21:8. This was a foreshadowing of the death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus proclaimed,

• • "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
    That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." *** John 3:14-15

Many view the cross as a symbol for death. It is our symbol of life. As the serpent on the pole gave life to all those who looked upon it, the cross is the symbol of life to those who believe on Him that hung on the cross. It is interesting what happened to the fiery serpent Moses raised on a pole. Approximately 681 years after Moses had made the serpent in the wilderness, Hosea, Son of Elah, King of Israel began to destroy the idols out of Judah. "He removed the high places, and brake the images and cut down the groves." We are told that he... 

• • "...break in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the Children of Israel did burn incense to it; and he called it Nehushtan." *** II Kings 18:4

Nehushtan means "a piece of brass". Brass is the symbol of sin. This serpent had become sin in the lives of Israel. They were burning incense unto their Nehushtan. They had made a god out of the serpent on a pole. They were bowing down and offering up prayers and praise (incense) before this dumb idol. 

When we speak of idol worship, God's people would say, "I would never bow down to a serpent on a pole." And yet people worship the objects they deem holy. The pole the serpent hung on represents the cross that Jesus was crucified on. God never intended that His people should worship the cross, but to praise God for the work that was accomplished on the cross. Nevertheless, many of His people have made the cross their Nehushtan. 

Many desire to hang onto the cross. There are expressions such as "Bring your troubles to the foot of the cross and leave them there." But if they would only look up, the cross is empty! The purpose of the cross is fulfilled in our lives! The purpose of the cross is the forgiveness of sins. That was God's whole purpose for the cross.

There is a work that goes beyond the cross. It is the cloven tongue baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who brings forth the fruits of righteousness in us. It is by and through the Holy Spirit that we will stand complete before our God without spot or wrinkle. We must remember that the cross did not change Jesus. Jesus changed the cross. That, which was only a picture of ugly death, became the object of our glorious, eternal life. Hallelujah!

In many churches there is more emphasis put on the cross than on teaching the Holy Spirit working in our lives. These have made a god out of the cross. It is displayed around their necks, on their buildings and on their walls. But it is impossible to find the work of the cross in their lives. They have made Nehushtans out of their religious symbols. This is an abomination unto God. 

The religious systems have made Nehushtans out of many religious symbols. One of the biggest Nehushtans is the church buildings people go to. If the preacher changes, the message changes and the anointing changes. It makes no difference, they go to the building. They express such things as, "This is my church!", or "Have you seen how beautiful our church is?", or "Come to our church!" It may be my church or our church. We need to ask, "Is it Christ's church?" Jesus did not die on the cross for a building, but for a people. We need to worship Him, not our Nehushtan building programs. 

Other religious symbols that are part of the Nehushtan system are the dove, fish, mustard seed and cute sayings cast in metal. Without these religious signs, we would never know that the people wearing them are believers in the risen Saviour. These have become their religious Nehushtans of idol worship. They draw near with their mouth, but their hearts are far from Him. *** Matthew 15:8

The serpent on the pole is the symbol of the medical profession. God's people are bowing down and giving their praise unto this Nehushtan, also. They have forgotten, or they never knew, the healing power of the Great Physician, their Lord, Jesus Christ. Most could not sleep at night if their medical insurance lapsed or their medicare or medicaid policies were canceled.

A great portion of those who call themselves Christian do not believe in healing at all. They get around their unbelief by saying that all those things passed away with the apostles and the early church. They fail to realize our healing was accomplished in God before Jesus went to the cross. Peter, who was given the keys to the kingdom, quoted *** Isaiah 53:5:

• • "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." *** I Peter 2:24

We were healed by Jesus' stripes. They were applied to His back before ever going to the cross. If Jesus had not died, our healing would be secured in the stripes. Man's doctrine and theology will never render the stripes of no effect. The stripes will speak for themselves.

We must apply those stripes in our lives by faith. If we fail to apply the stripes, then we have raised up the brass serpent on the pole in our lives instead of the Son of man who wrought our healing. He is the Great Physician in our lives. Most who are called by His name have replaced Him by "Dr. So and So" who was trained in man's institutions. Most doctors do not operate their practices in the knowledge of God, and must depend on man-made medicines while they worship the god of covetousness and greed. This is an abomination in the sight of God.

The medical profession is not evil. They are useful in many areas, but they should not be depended upon to replace the healing power of God that He has put in His name. Many things can become Nehushtans in our lives. They are all an abomination unto God.

When we raise up these false gods in our lives, we commit spiritual whoredom before our God. The Psalmist wrote,

• • "Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions." *** Psalm 106:39

God's people are defiled because of the works of their hands and their own inventions. The word inventions means "their own endeavours". Many believe they are doing these things for God. Their own works and endeavours are an abomination in the sight of God because they are defiled before God. They are defiled because they do not do these works with clean hands and a pure heart. Many of God's people go to church because it is Sunday, not because they have a burning desire to come into His presence. For many, it has been a long time since they felt the presence of God in the church they attend. 

Their worship services are of their own inventions. They are simply ceremony instead of coming into the presence of God through their sacrifices of praise. God is ready to pour out the early and latter rain together on those who have come to the place of true worship and obedience. Jeremiah recorded,

• • "Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed." *** Jeremiah 3:3

Many stand before God with an unrepentant heart who have a whore's forehead (mind). Their mind is set on everything except the things of God. God has withheld the showers of refreshment and the anointing from those who have a whore's forehead because they have prostituted themselves with the idol worship of the world in the name of the Lord. Jeremiah went on to say,

• • "And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and stocks." *** Jeremiah 3:9

Stones and stocks represent the works of their own hands; idol worship. Those who defile their land (their lives) with stones and stocks are those who worship the works of their hands and bow down to the things they have accomplished or accumulated. 

If we are to enter into the kingdom, it will be through righteousness and peace, not by how much we have accumulated so that we might live above those we call brother and sister. Many are puffed up by their own accomplishments. The beloved John wrote,

• • "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." *** I John 2:16

When we are boasting about our accomplishments, we are exercising the pride of life. This is not of the Father, but is because we have not come out of the world. Many have committed spiritual whoredom with the pride of the eyes. Hosea, the prophet, wrote,

• • "They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the Lord." *** Hosea 5:4

The spirit of whoredom is still in the midst of the church. They still worship all the false gods of the ancients. The Pharisees and Sadducees were the most religious people we could imagine. They kept the law and passed new laws to make their lives more stringent, that they might stand holy before their God. And yet, when the God they were supposed to be worshipping stood before them, He told them, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lust of your father ye will do..." *** John 8:44. The spirit of whoredom was in their hearts and they worshipped the god of this world. They were even willing to commit murder to serve their god. 

Spiritual adultery comes in many forms. Jesus spoke of spiritual adultery when He proclaimed,

• • "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." *** Matthew 5:28

Those who lust after the opposite sex, even though they would never consider committing physical adultery, still do not have a pure heart before God. Their way is defiled and their labour and walk before God is not acceptable. They have played the whore in the sight of God. They have worshipped the gods of the ancients and God will cast out the Canaanites that defile the land through their idol worship.

God is coming for a church without spot or wrinkle who have become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

JUST WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
CHAPTER SIX

• • "Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small.
    But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
    For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God." *** Deuteronomy 25:14-16

    "A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is His delight." *** Proverbs 11:1

Before Israel went into their promise land, they were admonished by the Lord to have just weights and measures. Their balances were to be true. They were to be honest in all their business dealings.

The word for measure is EPHAH and was the unit of dry measure. An Ephah was a tenth of an homer, which is the equivalent of 32 pecks, and was used to measure the sale of grains and produce. The bath was the unit of liquid measure and was approximately seven and one-half gallons. 

The word for balance is MOZEN. The balance was a scale made of a simple stand with a crossbar that had baskets hung at each end. This was used to measure gold, silver and precious stones. The word for weight is EBEN and means "stones". Stones are used as weights. 

The proper EBEN (stone) weight was put in a basket, and the gold, silver or precious stones were added until the balance registered dead center on the stand.

God informed Israel they were not to have Ephah great and small in their houses. Their Ephah was to be the standard size; one tenth of an homer. They were not to have a big Ephah when they bought, and a small Ephah when they sold. The same was true with their weights. Many would deceptively grind weight off their stones so when they bought silver, gold and precious stones, they would cheat their customers. Or they would move the cross bar on their balances one way when they bought, and the other way when they sold. This dishonesty is an abomination in the sight of God.

Today we see dishonesty all around us. Many justify dishonesty as good business practice. Those who doctor up, or paint an automobile to cover up known defects without telling the purchaser, is just one of the many examples of this dishonest abomination in the sight of God. Yet, this is a common practice in the used car industry; even among those who are called by His name. This common practice is performed with no twinge of conscience toward those who have been cheated by misrepresentation. Those cheated are victims of deceit, fraud and lying; all of which are a stink in the nostrils of God. Paul writes,

• • "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." *** Romans 12:11

We are admonished not to be slothful in business. The word slothful means "to be habitually at ease, lazy and idle;" not taking care of what God has given us to do. The word fervent is the word ZEO and means "to have zeal; to be hot; to boil;" to serve God with a zeal. When we are operating His business, we are to have that same zeal, whether in the world or in the church. In the world, success is not measured by honesty and integrity. The only yardstick used in measuring success is how much is accumulated, or how important a person has become in the eyes of man. No counter measure is used on how many are wounded and how many lives are destroyed in a man's rise to his exalted position; man's position where all the world stands in awe and admiration of His success. The psalmist writes,

• • "Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
    For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
    Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
    He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light." *** Psalm 49:16-19

The word afraid means "to revere; held in high esteem". When one is made rich and the glory of his house is increased, when he dies, we can be assured he will take nothing with him. Job stated,

• • "...Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." *** Job 1:21

The book of Deuteronomy reveals, "All wealth comes from the Lord," *** Deuteronomy 8:18. We brought nothing into this world, and we will take nothing out of this world. God has given us wealth that we may serve others. All too often those who obtain wealth only use it on themselves. Paul wrote to the Ephesians,

• • "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." *** Ephesians 4:28

Paul wrote to those who were dishonest in their dealings, that they were not to steal. But they were to work with their hands, earning their money by honest labor. They were not to be deceitful in their business dealings or take that which did not belong to them. 

Why were they to earn this honest wage? "That he may have to give to him that needeth." When the publicans came to John to be baptized, they said unto him, "What shall we do...?" *** Luke 3:12. John's answer to the publican (tax collectors) was...

• • "...Exact no more than that which is appointed you." *** Luke 3:13

Before the Publican could come to the Lord, it was necessary to cease from this abomination before God. Yet today, many who are called by His name are still getting theirs any way they can get it. These have never turned from their abominable way. They still claim they are OK in the sight of God. They are filled with greed, lust, lying and deceit. They still sing in the choir and attend every meeting when the church doors are open. But they are a stink in the nostrils of God.

One famous comedian, when told he could not take his wealth with him, stated, "Then I am not going." But he went and he took nothing with him. The psalmist proclaimed, "...He shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him," *** Psalm 49:17. While he was alive, he blessed his own soul and had the praise of men. But he shall never see light. God will eternally separate those who are dishonest in their dealings from the light. Solomon wrote,

• • "There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches." *** Proverbs 13:7

Many will say, "Well, that's the way of the world." But much of the church also operates in the same way with their building programs, missionary outreaches and continued needs to keep the flock's wallets open for causes, real or imagined. These deceptions run rampant in the church, using any devious excuse to fleece the flock. The radio ministries and the tele-evangelists have sunk to an all-time low in this fleecing operation. They use hucksterism to support their exaltation of self. They ask one-hundred, or one-hundred and fifty dollars for a twenty dollar Bible because it is autographed, or has a man's personal notes or his personal prophesies in it. Or maybe it is a special offering for a bottle of oil that has a special blessing, or proclaiming that the olive oil is from Israel; send money for special prayer cloths. "Send a donation and we will pray for your special needs." Or perhaps it is some special need to feed the poor, or build an orphanage; send a native pastor into the mission field. All sound to be worthy causes, and yet, when the campaign is over, no report is ever given on the progress of the project; and a new cause is concocted that will keep the money flowing into their godless coffers.

One of the most heinous contrivances is "Send in money for someone's birthday"; the super-star's, his wife or children; or perhaps it is "The Buy-A-Brick" to build a building and they will etch your name on it for an additional price in the process, to allow you to lay your treasures up on earth. The news media and the world can see the travesty of this whole operation. These dishonest, deceitful, lying tactics truly are a stink in the nostrils of God.

When a person supports a church or ministry through tithes and offerings, they have a right to know what the money is used for. No man of God should object to an accounting of where the money went if the money was handled in an honest and upright fashion. When God informed His people to have just weights, balances and measures, He was simply saying, "Be honest in your dealings with each other and the world." Paul wrote,

• • "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men." *** Romans 12:17

We need to provide all things in honesty in the sight of all men. That includes not only those we sit in the congregation with, but the world also. The world is turned off by dealing with Christians because of their deceiving ways. If the world can say nothing else about us, they should say we are honest. Paul admonishes us not to return evil for evil. Yet, it is in the heart of man to get even. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth,

• • "Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?" *** I Corinthians 6:7

Paul asked, "Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded, then to go to court with each other?" Paul proclaimed, "This is a fault among you." The word fault is HETTEMA and means "loss". The church at Corinth suffered spiritual loss because they went to the world's judges and not before the elders of the church to solve their differences. This was because there was greed in their hearts. They wanted all they could get, and they did not care how they got it. This same spirit is in the church today, and the church is still suffering spiritual loss. We cannot grow up into the head, which is Christ, when our hearts are not pure before Him.

In Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, he proclaimed his innocence to all in the church.

• • "Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man." *** II Corinthians 7:2

This should be all our testimonies. Who can say we have wronged no man, or that we have corrupted no man, or we have defrauded no man? Do we stand before God with clean hands and a pure heart? Or must we continue to hide from God when He desires to walk with us in the cool of the evening? If we have just weights, balances and measures we will have a good report among all men. Having a good report is one of the qualifications for leadership.

• • "Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." *** I Timothy 3:7

Those without may not like you, but they can truly say no evil against your actions. Paul wrote,

• • "Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." *** II Corinthians 8:21

Our actions stand not only before God, but also before man, and if we are not honest, we become unacceptable before both. Peter wrote,

• • "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." *** I Peter 2:12

Our conversation is our way of life. It must be honest among the Gentiles (aliens of God). Everything we do or say should bring glory to the Father. And even if the people speak against us as evil doers, we will stand clean and righteous before God. Solomon wrote,

• • "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men." *** Proverbs 22:29

If we are diligent to have just weights, balances and measures in all that we do, we will stand before the King of the whole earth justified in His sight, undefiled before God or man. Solomon stated,

• • "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom." *** Proverbs 23:4

We are admonished not to labour to be rich, but to cease from our own wisdom. The wisdom of man says, "You had better get while the gettin's good. Get all you can. Grab the golden ring. You only go through this life once. Take care of ole' # 1." This worldly attitude, in those who are called by His name, is an abomination in His sight and a stink in His nostrils.

• • "Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord." *** Proverbs 20:10

    When we stand before God in the day of visitation, He will say one of two things:
    # 1 "...Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." *** Matthew 25:21
    # 2 "...I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." *** Matthew 7:23

It may be well to check our weights, our balances and our measures to see if there needs to be any adjustments made while there is still time. Those who will hear..."Depart from Me ye that work iniquity..." will have no second chance to adjust their weights and balances in this life. We need to change our minds, and as the words of Paul to the church at Philip relate,

• • "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." *** Philippians 4:8

If we think on the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report, if there be any virtue (moral goodness), or if there be anything we can give praise for, we are to think on these things. As the prophet Micah stated,

• • "Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?" *** Micah 6:11

We are to hear the words written by Moses to the children of Israel:

• • "For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God." *** Deuteronomy 25:16

ABOMINATIONS IN THE HOME AND Church
CHAPTER SEVEN

God has made the difference between sin and abominations very plain in His Word. Sins are those things in our lives that cause us to miss the mark of the high calling in God. Abominations are those things that are an abhorrence unto Him, and a stink in His nostrils. There is a definite difference between the two meanings as we have witnessed. There are many abominations in the church today. Jeremiah wrote,

• • "And come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?" *** Jeremiah 7:10

The children of Israel sinned, knowing they could offer a sin offering by sacrificing an innocent animal and have their sin atoned for. The Christian church today has this same mentality. They can do as they want because they know that, through the blood of Jesus, they can be forgiven. They dwell in His house which is called by His name and claim to be the Body of Christ, the temple of the living God. And yet they call the enclosure (church) they attend "the house of God". 

The house of God is where God dwells. He does not dwell in houses made by hands, *** Hebrews 9:11. His permanent dwelling place is the temple, being constructed of living stones which God will raise up the third day, or in the 1000 year millennial period of time. 

Jeremiah stated that the people are standing in the house that is called by God's name (Christians, Christ-ones, or In-Christed-ones) and are saying we are delivered to do all these abominations. This is because they depend on God's forgiveness of sin. Forgiveness is only available if we repent and turn from our evil ways. God will not forgive those things that are an abomination in His sight if we continue in them because they are a stink in His nostrils. The only way God can forgive abominations is when we cease from being involved in those things that are abominable in His sight. First, it is necessary to acknowledge these abominations. Then we must come with a repentant heart and turn from these abominations so we may be healed. The Kingdom of God is at hand and repentance is necessary to enter into His kingdom.

When Solomon dedicated the temple, the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night,

• • "If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." *** II Chronicles 7:14

If His people that are called by His name (Christians, Christ-ones, or In-Christed-ones) "shall humble themselves..." 
If Christians will humble themselves, "and pray..." 
If Christians begin to pray, "and seek My face..." 
Those who desire to come into His presence must seek God with their whole heart.
If Christians again desire to come into His presence "and turn from their wicked ways..." 
If Christians will turn from their wicked ways, those things that are an abomination in the sight of God, "Then" after the Christians have met these criteria, "Then, will they hear from heaven." "Then" will He hear the prayer of those repentant hearts "and will heal their land." 
Not only will God's people walk in physical healing, but their relationship with Him will be totally healed. It is "then" that we will be reconciled back to the Father. It is "then" that we will be reestablished in the garden of our innocence, where God will again commune with us as He did with our parents before the fall. Jeremiah went on to say,

• • "For the children of Judah have done evil in My sight, saith the Lord: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name, to pollute it." *** Jeremiah 7:30

The children of Judah are the people of praise. When we, as God's people, allow these abominations to stay in our house, we pollute our house. There is one abomination that pollutes our house that God gave Israel direct commandments against, and that is "witchcraft". 

• • "When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
    There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
    Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
    For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
    Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God." *** Deuteronomy 18:9-13

We are not to learn to do the abominations of the heathen. Today, witchcraft is on the rise in this nation. Animal sacrifice and even human sacrifices are becoming common place. Witchcraft is practiced in public schools, in private groups and in churches. It is an abomination unto our God and those who practice these things are a stink in His nostrils.

Most church members would be indignant if they were told they practiced witchcraft. Yet, these same people read their horoscope or astrology charts; all of which appear in the daily newspaper. When confronted, they will loudly proclaim, "I don't believe in such things." Then why do they waste God's time reading such things? Paul wrote to the Ephesians,

• • "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

    Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." *** Ephesians 5:15-16

We are to redeem the time, not waste it on the activities of the heathen. God has better use of our time then to waste it on the abominations of the heathen.

Those who proclaim they are not practicing witchcraft will dress their children in some hideous satanic outfit and let them go door to door, trick or treating, and never think one thing about it. What a witness of our separated walk before our pure and holy God. Some even turn the church building into a haunted house, charging admission to the public to further disgrace our God. If the church does not have its own haunted house, these same Christians, whom God admonished to turn from their evil ways, will take their children to a haunted house or a satanic horror movie, or watch one on TV or rent one from the local video store to scare their children so they have nightmares and cannot sleep.

There are many forms of witchcraft that have crept into the church. Many churches use witchcraft to foretell the future in someone's life, and call it prophesy. Those who practice this art are called prophets. God has His true prophets today,(1) but we are admonished that the Spirit knows the spirit. We should know the spirit before we accept anything anyone has to say. John warns,

• • "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." *** I John 4:1

Many, many of the video games have their roots in witchcraft. Yet Christians will give their children money to indulge in this godless activity. Video games are a total waste of time and money.

Other forms of witchcraft that the people who sit in the congregations, and are called by His name are indulging in, is to allow their children to wear godless, satanic t-shirts or other clothing displaying rock stars or satanic symbols. These are an abomination in the sight of God. These t-shirts and clothing carry a message of drug use, rebellion, revolution, sex and suicide. Many so-called Christian children desire to dress totally in black. This usually indicates the condition of the heart, not just a taste in clothing. 

We need to ask, "What message is being put forth in the way our children dress?" "Is their dress bringing glory to the Father, or is it the dress of the heathen nation