If you look up the word "despise" in the dictionary you will find the definition as something like "to look down upon with contempt, worthlessness, or distaste". Synonyms for the word despise would be loathe, abhor, hate, and detest.
Recently while reading Proverbs 13 I came across an interesting verse that has challenged my outlook on God's Word. In verse 13 we find this, "Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded." My first reaction was "Man, who would be dumb enough to despise the Word of God...only the wicked I am sure". As I often do I looked up the word "despiseth" in the Hebrew and the meaning is different than the definition stated in the first paragraph. The meaning is to look upon something as insignificant. This meaning really floored me because how often in my life have I not read the Bible for one reason or another and chalked it up to "well I'll get to it tomorrow". I never believed I hated the Bible or thought it to be distasteful or worthless but I did apparently hold it as not significant enough to create time in my schedule to read it.
Do we despise the Word of God? I am afraid that if we are not reading it daily, then according to His Word we despise it. By His grace let us not be guilty of this omission and give His Word the significance it truly deserves by abiding in it daily.
Guess I don't need to come down there now to get lectured. Thanks for the eye opener and miss you guys so much. Love you guys!!! Dave
ReplyDeleteGreat point! Thanks for sharing this in Journey the other day!
ReplyDelete