Detestable Prayers

One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. Proverbs 28:9 (NKJV)


There is nothing so insidious as a Binge and Purge mentality when it comes to living a life in the flesh, while regurgitating Gods advice, and commands. Sound too harsh? Well, according to the proverb above, it isnt. In fact we are told that for those who turn away their ear from hearing Gods commands, even their prayer is an abomination.

Well to fully understand how much God detests the prayer of those who dont even want to know His wishes and directives, lets take a look at the definition of Abomination.

aÅbomÅiÅnaÅtion [uh-bom-uh-ney-shuhn]
noun
1.anything abominable; anything greatly disliked or abhorred.
2.intense aversion or loathing; detestation: He regarded lying with abomination.
3.a vile, shameful, or detestable action, condition, habit, etc.: Spitting in public is an abomination.

So what does that exactly mean in applicable terms?

Well, if I were to confront a person to share with them what God had to say about a particular subject, and they refused to listened or didnt care about it, then basically, God considers their prayers to Him detestable, and it is comparable with spitting in public.

I personally cant imagine how embarrassing it would be if I were to see Christ and I were to start to talk (pray) to Him, and His response would be, Dont even talk to me, I detest your prayers&

Weve all met or know many people who could care less about Gods Word. And there are many of us whove confronted someone in love because they were doing something that is not right by God, and they didnt want to hear any of what was said, even though it was His Word.

Well, these people really are adding injury to insult according to the proverb above. But its not just for the ones who dont know God, because we can see this same rebuking from the Lord in the Psalm below for those of us who know His Word, but simply choose not to apply it.

You rebuke the proudthe cursed, Who stray from Your commandments. Psalms 119:21 (NKJV)

We are told in 1John 3:18, to not just love in word or tongue alone, but to do it in deed and in truth. So were not only to listen to the Word of God, but were to apply it, lest we be hypocrites like the Pharisees of the Old Testament.

Prayer is the only way we can communicate with God, and to block this path would be akin to spiritual suicide. Look, Jesus Christ laid down His life and was pinned to the Cross of Calvary to give us this right to speak directly to God. Why would we foolishly take that and discard it knowing that it is our only chance at knowing Him personally and receiving forgiveness for our sin?

The wisest man to ever walk the earth stated it this way, Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is mans all (Ecc 12:13). We cant fear (respect) God, if were not even willing to listen to his commandments, let alone keep them.

Hey Christian, its one thing for someone who doesnt want to know God to turn from hearing Him and His commandments, but for us who have professed our faith in Him, we should give an attentive ear to everything He has to say.

STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn with respect to listening to Gods Word, and Him listening to us in the scriptures above?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you listening to what God has to say? Are you reading His Word Daily?

APPLICATION: Read His Word, and apply it to your life. Keep it simple, and be blessed!