Proverbs – Lesson 24 – Proverbs 6.16-19 October 28 2026 – A Heart That Plots Wicked Imaginations

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PROVERBS God’s Handbook for His Image Bearers Wednesday Bible Study  •  Lesson 24  •  October 21, 2026 Seven Things God Hates – Proverbs 6:16–19

 

The Name of our current series is

Proverbs – God’s Handbook for His Image Bearers

 

Solomon names seven actions or characteristics about a person that God hates

There is a strong Bible word for them that starts with the letter “A” – Abomination

The word Abomination describes something deeply repugnant, detestable, and utterly loathsome to God.

 

Review of the seven things God hates: Pr 6:16-19

Proverbs 6:16–19 16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

 

A Heart that deviseth wicked imaginations

In Proverbs, the heart is the control center of a person’s inner life. It is where a person thinks, desires, decides, and forms intentions.

When Solomon names ‘a heart that devises wicked imaginations,’ he means a person who inwardly plans and deliberately works out evil schemes.

Consider the first part of this definition – a person who inwardly plans evil schemes.

How does this violate the warning Solomon gave his son in Pr 4:23 to guard his heart?

Proverbs 4:23 23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

 

Solomon warned his son to make every effort to guard his heart because the heart shapes who we are.

We are made in the image and after the likeness of God

 

Proverbs is teaching us to image God. This means we make every effort to reflect God in our character.

Does plotting evil against people image God or does it distort the image of God in us?

 

Name some Biblical examples of people who had a heart that devised wicked imaginations

• Joseph’s brothers – they plotted to kill him.
• Saul – he plotted to kill David
• Jezebel & Ahab – they plotted the death of Naboth
• Haman – he plotted the genocide of the Jews
• Judas – he plotted the betrayal of Jesus
• Pharisees – they plotted the execution of Jesus
• David – he plotted the adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah
• Amnon – he plotted the rape of his sister Tamar

 

Name two ways this sin may appear in our life?

• Obsessing with revenge or evening the score
• Nurturing temptation and plotting how to fulfill sinful desires

 

In the New Testament, James describes the process that sin takes in our heart. We act on sin after sin has first been conceived in the heart. In other words, sin is the result of a temptation that was nurtured.

James 1:14–16 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

 

What are three actions we can take to guard our heart with all diligence from this sin?

Before we answer that question, we will discuss the three action steps used in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a counseling approach that helps people understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and actions. It teaches that the way we think about a situation can influence how we feel and how we respond. By learning to recognize and examine unhealthy or inaccurate patterns of thinking, people can develop healthier ways of responding.

 

In simple terms:

• What we think influences how we feel.
• What we feel can influence how we act.
• Changing how we think can help change how we respond.

 

The CBT uses three key steps to change behavior.

• Catch it – recognize the thought pattern
• Check it – recognize the lie behind it
• Change it – replace the thought with truth

 

Next, apply Biblical steps to guard our hearts with all diligence.

Catch it – recognize the thought or feelings Confess it – agree with God that the thought or feeling is sinful Change it – replace the thought or feeling with proper action

 

Catch it

The first step is to recognize the temptation. James 1:14

James 1:14 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

 

We are to recognize the temptation & Jesus said we are to stand guard and pray about temptation

Matthew 26:41 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

 

In the Psalms we find the example of calling on God to expose our thoughts to us: Ps 139:23-24

Psalm 139:23–24 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

 

Paul teaches us to bring every thought into captivity

2 Corinthians 10:5 5 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;

 

So Step one is to catch our temptations. Recognize when our thoughts and feelings (emotions) are potentially sinful.

Step Two is Confess it

Confess it

James 5:16 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

Matthew 26:41 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

 

Confessing means naming the thought or emotion for what it is – SIN

Confessing means agreeing with God that the thought or emotion is exceeding sinful. It is not small or harmless and thus should not be tolerated. Rom 7:13

Romans 7:13 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

 

God warned Cain to deal with his attitude and emotions because sin was laying at the door ready to destroy him. Gen 4:6-7

Genesis 4:6–7 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

 

God was saying sin wants to dominate you but you can catch it, confess it, change it. And you can overcome the sin. But Cain did not agree with God and he was dominated by sin and it ruined his life and took the life of his brother.

That brings us to the third step – Change it

Change it

In this case, two out of three steps is not good enough. After catching, or recognizing the thoughts or emotions, you must confess it to God. Agree with God that the thought or emotion is exceeding sinful. Then take the final step to change the thought or emotion.

Change takes place by intentionally replacing the thought or emotion with thoughts and actions that image God.

Romans 12:2 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

Paul teaches us what intentional change looks like by intentionally doing good for others. Rm 12:17-21

Romans 12:17–21 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

Jesus teaches us to replace evil desire with righteous actions

Luke 6:27–29 27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.

 

Luke 6:35 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

 

Christians are to provoke one another unto good works. This means coming alongside someone and helping them catch sinful thoughts and emotions, confess them to God, and change them by replacing them with good works.

Hebrews 10:24 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

 

Catch it – recognize the thought or feelings Confess it – agree with God that the thought or feeling is sinful Change it – replace the thought or feeling with proper action

 

Reflection

How will these three steps change your life?

Name as many areas in your life where you can immediately apply them