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Say No to Crooked Living, Crooked Conduct,
and Wicked Thoughts

Proverbs 11:20 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
²⁰Men of crooked heart are detestable to Jehovah,
but those of blameless ways are his delight.

Men of crooked heart are detestable to Jehovah: Those with a crooked (עִקֵּשׁ iqqesh) heart (לֵב leb) are dishonest, perverse, warped, namely, their heart, inner person, the seat of motivation is perverted in that it is distorted, unjust, unrighteous. Abomination (תּוֹעֵבָה toebah or תֹּעֵבָה toebah) is a repulsion, abhorrence, that is, an object or person that is loathsome or repulsive. The sense of toebah is a detestable thing or person, which causes disgust in another person.

but those of blameless ways are his delight: Blameless: (תָּמִים tamim) means “perfect, blameless, sincerity, entire, whole, complete, and full.” Of course, Noah, Jacob, and Job were not literally perfect. When used for imperfect humans, the terms are relative, not absolute. However, if we are fully committed to following a life course based on God’s will and purposes, living by his laws, and repenting when we fall short, he will credit us with righteousness. The Hebrew word (רָצוֹן ratson or רָצֹן ratson) rendered delight is a reference to something or someone who is a source of happiness for others. This person is in an approved condition before God.

In the blamelessness of our hearts, we keep seeking God in his Word, as we want to know how to enjoy his kindness and find favor in his eyes now and forever. We certainly dread the idea of God looking down on us as something detestable, loathsome, or repulsive, which causes him to be disgusted with us. We certainly do not want to be viewed as detestable to God in the “day of vengeance.” (Prov. 11:20, 27; Isa. 34:8; 61:2; 63:4; Jer. 46:10) However, our love for God needs to motivate us to set aside any crooked living, crooked conduct, or wicked thoughts, not fear of the “day of vengeance.” (Matt. 22:37) Thus, let us set aside any crooked living, crooked conduct, or wicked thoughts and be fully committed to following a life course based on God’s will and purposes, fully living by his laws, repent when we fall short so that he will credit us with righteousness.