7 Relational Poisons
Hello Bride of Christ,
How does the company surrounding you influence your usability for the Kingdom? God inspired Bible writers to highlight the direct connection between an individual’s relationships and their future opportunities. For instance, Paul to the Corinthians highlights the vital role relationships play in their lives by writing, “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) Proverbs scripture uses explicit characteristics of seven poisons to avoid in your relationships. Relationship with man, but more significantly your relationship with God from which all life flows. Take a moment to consider whether these seven poisons are seeping into your life, for poison of any dosage ends in death.
“These six things the Lord hates, and yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19
Poisons of the heart
1. A proud look
Pride. God jumps right into the heart of sin. Pride. Spelled accurately with “I” right in the middle, for “self” consumes a prideful heart. Proverbs 6:16 states, “a proud look,” or translated, “a haughty eye,” alluding to arrogance and self-exaltation.
The Lord abhors pride! The Psalmist writes, “Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy, no one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure.” (Psalm 101:5) Why? For we owe pride the credit for the riff in heaven.
Pride caused Lucifer, the worship leader of heaven, to experience dissatisfaction and attempt to overthrow God. His identity changed to Satan, a fallen angel. Pride in Lucifer’s relationship with God set him off on a path of destruction. For he spends his time roaming and searching for whom he can devour. (1 Peter 5:8) Your relationships fueled by the poison of pride are no exception. A proud look leads to death, and you encounter dissatisfaction, frustration, and disunity along the way.
Critic. Perfectionist. God desires different for you.
2. Hands that shed innocent blood
Murder. Simple poison to avoid, right? This aligns with the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:13). The majority will declare themselves void of this relational poison. Yet, Jesus expounds, “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22).
Grudge holder. Guilty.
In Matthew 5, Jesus explains the barrier grudges create in our communication with God. In the Old Testament, God declares, “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.” (Isaiah 1:15)
Grudge holder, Jesus encourages reconciliation.
3. A heart that devises wicked plans + 4. Feet that are swift in running to evil
Premeditated evil. This heart issue consumed humans during the time of Noah and resulted in the flood (Genesis 6:5). Self-seeking gain. Using relationships for exploitation. Participation in the “rat race” might lead many to use others to achieve their self-interest goals.
Saul, the first King of Israel, drank this poison. Saul reigned for only two years before God through Samuel declared, “I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” (1 Samuel 15:26) Leaving Saul to reign in disobedience as king over Israel for another 38 years. Saul’s wicked plans and swift feet led him to stand against God and seek to kill the next king of Israel, David.
Self-seeker. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
Poisons of the tongue
5. Lying tongue + 6. A false witness who speaks lies
Lying. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21) One of the smallest muscles with great ability to build up or tear down. By words, God spoke the world into existence. He understands their power. A lying tongue James pens, “It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8) Why?
Hate motivates a lying tongue. “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.” (Proverbs 12:22) However, James warns man of the impossible task of taming the tongue. How then do we control and restrain ourselves from speaking falsely?
Liar. Pray, “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.” (Psalm 120:2)
7. One who sows discord among brethren
Division. Throughout scripture, the Holy Spirit writes about unity amongst the brethren. How can two walk together unless they agree? A house divided cannot stand. (Matthew 12:25)
Gossiper, heed the advice of Proverbs 10:19, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.”
Choose silence.
Christ’s Heart
Bride of Christ, these poisons germinate in our hearts and manifest themselves in our thoughts, works of our hands, the speech of our tongues, and permeate everywhere our feet tread. Christ desires nothing to stand between you and Him. He desires to fellowship with you. As you draw near to God, He will draw near to you. (James 4:8) However, these poisons, as all poisons do, lead to death. Take heed to remove such company and repent. Align your thoughts about relationships with God and use these seven poisons as your guide. Awareness of the seven poisons allows you to choose not to walk in the way with them. As Paul encouraged the Bride in Corinth, I encourage you, “beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-2)
Further Bible reading on relationship: Ephesians 4-5, 1 Corinthians, Galatians 6, Proverbs 1, Psalm 1, Colossians 3, 1 Peter 3, James 3-5
