JUST SOME THINGS THE LORD HATES?
Today we turn in our Bible to a passage of Scripture that lists seven things that God hates. All seven of these things are hated by God because any one of the seven can mar the godliness and beauty of a life. "These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren." (Proverbs 6:16-19) God hates these things because they violate every principle of decency and morality. They are sins against God and also against man. These things are the epitome of what is hateful to God. They provide for us a summary of wickedness. Earlier in the Book of Proverbs God had expressed His hatred against evil. “For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.” (Proverbs 3:32-35) There are many things that are an abomination to God. This term is a term applied in Scripture to objects of great detestation by our Lord. Idols and their worship were an abomination to the Lord because they robbed God of His honor. Homosexuality is an abomination because it robes mankind of his morality. We can see how much God hates sin by looking at what he has done to redeem us from it. He sent his Son to earth to die on a cross to condemn sin and to make us righteous. “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-4) Just some things hated by God? Yes! These are things the Lord hates.
Just a “look” that is repulsive to God? Yes! God hates a proud look. God is never pleased with prideful, haughty things. Pride is an offense against the holiness of God. Pride always leads to unkindness and irreverence. In Proverbs 21:4 we read, “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.” Psalm 18:27 says, “For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.” A proud look comes from a proud heart. This kind of heart makes it impossible to be God’s faithful servant. Just a look that is repulsive to God? Yes! God hates a proud look.
Just some “words” that God hates? Yes! God hates a lying tongue. A lying tongue destroys through untrue statements. Lying always comes from an impure heart. Lies always hurt. They destroy good names, disappoint, and hurt others and God. God hates lying because He is the Source of truth. Jesus used the word truth to describe His own character. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) Satan is called the “Father of lies.” (John 8:44) When we lie, we are behaving like the devil instead of like children of God. God said, “He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.” (Psalms 101:7) It is wrong to lie so why would a Christian ever think about doing it? Just some words that God hates? Yes! God hates a lying tongue.
Just some “action” that God hates? Yes! God hates hands that shed innocent blood. Shedding innocent blood shows an ultra lack of sympathy for God's creation. Those who shed innocent blood are out of tune with their Maker. The whole world is polluted and drenched with innocent blood. From 1973 when abortion was legalized in the US until now millions of babies have been killed. World-wide, more millions of babies are exterminated by abortion each year. Where are the tears? Where is the outrage? Where is the media coverage? People with blood on their hands, and countries that are polluted with the blood of innocents, need not expect help from God. "When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood." (Isaiah 1:15) Just some action that God hates? Yes! God hates hands that shed innocent blood.
Just some “thoughts” that God hates? Yes! God hates a heart that devises wicked plans. Such a life is spiritually rotten inside. When the heart is wicked the life will be wicked. Some hearts are so bad they are always inventing ways to do evil. (Genesis 6:5) Here, God is talking about evil premeditation. An evil plan is any plan that is developed without thought or attention given to the purpose and glory of God. A person who plans out a robbery or a murder or an assault certainly fits into this category. Do you want to know what a man is really like? Look at his heart. Luke 6:45 teaches, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Just some thought that God hates? Yes! God hates a heart that devises wicked plans.
Just some “feet” that God hates? Yes! God hates feet that are swift in running to evil. God loves some feet. “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15) There are other feet that God hate. Some are eager to do that which is unholy. They do not wait, they do not walk, and instead they run to evil. They not only do wrong but they do it eagerly. God hates the feet hurrying to run to mischief. In Isaiah 59:7 we read, “Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.” The root cause of falling into mischief is a lack of the fear of God. “Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” (Proverbs 28:14) Just some feet that God hates. Yes! God hates feet that are swift in running to evil.
Just a “witness” that God hates? Yes! God hates a false witness who speaks lies. Because of false witnesses good men have suffered and evil men have escaped. A slanderer is a thief as he robs others of good reputations and the confidence of friends. There cannot be a greater affront to God or a greater injury to our neighbour than knowingly give false testimony. There are seven things which God hates, and lying is involved with two of them. God hates lying and He doubly hates it. God calls us to be men and women of truth and of truthfulness. We are to stand upon the truth of the gospel and God’s true Word and we are to speak nothing but truth. The very nature of God is true. “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19) Just a witness that God hates? Yes! God hates a false witness who speaks lies.
Just someone who causes “division” hated by God?
Yes! God hates the one who sows discord among brethren. This
person tries to undo the good done by faithful brethren. "Behold, how good and
how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)
Strife and contention is caused when someone speaks contrary to the truth or
gets angry when someone speaks the truth. “He that is of a proud heart stirreth
up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.”
(Proverbs 28:25) “God hates some things. One of them is the person who sows
discord among his brethren. Some are too ready to quarrel and fight. Often due
to envy, a person will stir up strife. Either for money, power and control, or
glory and honor, or a combination of two or more of these, he will attack his
brethren. Our responsibility is to help our brothers and sisters be edified, or
built up, not torn down. Not only that, but those on the outside are watching,
as well. Fighting and quarreling are destructive, and God hates that!” Just
someone who causes division hated by God. Yes! God hates the one who sows
discord among brethren.
Christians must hate what God hates and love what God loves. To become a Christian hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (Mark 16:16), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess faith in Jesus (Acts 8:37), and be baptized for remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) After baptism allow Christ to be formed in you. (Galatians 4:19)
By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street, Greenville, Alabama 36037