Cultural overlaps are always fascinating to me. What are those things across diverse people groups that most people practice? What are the common values varied communities esteem?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where are those pockets and places in which people groups we typically distinguish most by their differences, actually \u2014 maybe unknowingly, intentionally or even unintentionally \u2014 where do they actually agree? \u2026 where does commonality exist?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stumbled across a huge one this week. As a very informal student of history, I noticed that among other books, the book of Proverbs has been quoted for centuries by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. What could be so significant? I wondered. What truths are there? Why would three distinct, diverse groups \u2014 seemingly most often identified by their differences \u2014 admire and adhere to like thinking? And not just thinking, but everyday, wise kind of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In my fairly awkward stumble, I found this rich nugget\u2026 \u201cThere are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Things. God. Hates. Let\u2019s be honest; if there are things stated that the great big God of the universe actually hates, <\/em>it would be wise to know what they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Much of the above, no doubt, makes immediate sense\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n haughty<\/strong> | \u02c8h\u00f4d\u0113 | adj.<\/em> – disdainfully proud; scornfully arrogant; snobbish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n lying<\/strong> | \u02c8l\u012biNG | adj. – telling or containing lies; deliberately untruthful; deceitful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n shed <\/strong>| SHed | v.<\/em> – to pour out, spill (blood). <\/p>\n\n\n\n wicked<\/strong> | \u02c8wikid | adj.<\/em> – evil or morally bad in principle or practice; sinful; iniquitous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n evil<\/strong> | \u02c8\u0113v\u0259l | n.<\/em> – profound immorality, wickedness, and depravity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n false witness<\/strong> | f\u00f4ls | adj.<\/em> – not according with truth or fact; | \u02c8witn\u0259s | n.<\/em> – evidence, testimony; a person who sees an event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And then there\u2019s that last one\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n A person who stirs up conflict in the community.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I had to pause there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m not really one who wrestles with feeling evil. I am by no means perfect, and I have a zillion areas to grow and improve upon. But I know I\u2019m God\u2019s kid and strive to move forward in a way that honors him daily \u2014 imperfect and all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sure, I can be arrogant. I can even be mean or insensitive sometimes\u2026 even on a seemingly good day, although I pray for humility, knowing how incredibly wise, good, contagious and attractive that is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lying? Nope. As a parent, few things get my goat more. That is unacceptable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But a person who stirs up conflict in the community\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n stir up<\/strong> | st\u0259r \u0259p | v. <\/em>– to cause; spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n conflict<\/strong> | \u02c8k\u00e4n\u02ccflikt | n.<\/em> – strife, contention; controversy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n community<\/strong> | k\u0259\u02c8myo\u035eon\u0259d\u0113 | n.<\/em> – a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common; a feeling of fellowship with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There lay the question I can\u2019t ignore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where have I intentionally stirred up controversy? Where \u2014 in this thing that multiple cultures acknowledge \u2014 this thing that God reportedly hates \u2014 where have I justified disrupting community and spreading strife? Where, too, have I cheered on another when they did the same? In other words, where have I ignored wisdom?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only questions this day, friends\u2026 and a few unsettling ones at that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR Cultural overlaps are always fascinating to me. What are those things across diverse people groups that most people practice? What are the common values varied communities esteem? Where are those pockets and places in which people groups we typically distinguish most by their differences, actually \u2014 maybe unknowingly, intentionally or even unintentionally \u2014 where do … <\/p>\n
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