The Dark Side of God

The Dark Side of God.

That which is Abominable in His Eyes

Love – the word we like to hear about God’s character, His essential being. It is true and it makes people feel warm and comfortable. This is even when they are living contrary to His standards. To imagine that the God of Love has a ‘Dark side’ is either, ignored, rejected or threatening.

Over the next couple of blogs I’d like to have a look at what the Bible reveals concerning the Eternal Lord’s ‘dark side’.

Certain practices humans perform are described as being abominable to God.  That is, they are detestable in His sight and worthy of His righteous condemnation. I’d like to list them. Most I’m sure you will say ‘Amen’ to. But will you agree with them all?

Proverbs 6:16-19: Six things the Lord hates, seven are an abomination to him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that hurry to run to evil, a lying witness who testifies falsely and one who sows discord in a family.

Proverbs 11:1 A false balance, 12:22 lying lips, 17:15: one who justifies the wicked are all an abomination to the God of the Bible.

We know that all idolatry is detestable to God for it has devastating effects on the health and spiritual life of a person and community. Check out Deuteronomy 18:9-14 and 12:29 onwards. Idolatry is so closely linked to sexual perversion which destroys the very meaning and symbolism of marriage. The Lord has made plain His framework for Marriage in Genesis 2 and Ephesians 5:22-33.

Deviant sexual practises and perverse behaviour are listed in Leviticus 18. With an uncompromising bluntness we read of God’s severity upon such behaviour. Why? Because it destroys the very soul of the people involved. It corrupts what God intended to be holy and unique between a man and a woman. It demeans souls and shatters relationships of trust and protection. It also pollutes the very landscape and community it infests. Leviticus talks about incest, sexual activity with animals and same sex marriages. Leviticus 18:30 sums it up ‘So keep my (Yahweh’s) charge not to commit any of these abominations…and not to defile yourselves by them: I am the Lord your God. (emphasis added).

The Lord’s judgement upon such practices is holy and just. ‘Whoever commits any of these abominations shall be cut off from their people.’ (Leviticus 18:29) It even goes beyond this. In Revelation 21-22 it is evident that such behaviour excludes any entrance into Heaven.

Is there any escape?

Only by the grace of God and the fact that such behaviour in mind and body requiring punishment has been dealt with at the Cross of Christ. He offers cleansing, forgiveness, a new beginning and power to overcome the past.  1 Corinthians 6:9-10: ‘Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers – none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.’(Emphasis added) 

 Christ Jesus is God's 'lighthouse' to lead us out of the darkness

God has given us an escape from His ‘Dark side’ and into His light and love. This is open by a personal commitment of your life by faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. His grace then transforms you from being condemned into being accepted.

Ray (now on God’s bright side) Hawkins