The writer of Proverbs tells us seven things that the Lord hates. Proverbs 6:16-19 “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.” Let us look a little closer at the things that are an abomination to God. Might we be guilty of things that He hates?
The first thing that God hates is a proud look. This describes a feeling of pride that you are in some way superior to another person. Have you ever felt that you were better than another person? Pride is an easy sin to commit. It usually comes when we compare ourselves to another. 2 Corinthians 10:12 “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” The Pharisee in the parable of Jesus compared himself to others. Luke 18:9-12 “Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’’” The Pharisee was proud of his righteousness but he was not justified before God. There are many ways you can compare yourself to others and be proud.
The second thing that God hates is a lying tongue. The devil is a liar. Jesus spoke to the religious leaders of His day in John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” God hates lying so much that we are told that “whoever loves and practices a lie” is rejected from the holy city of God (Revelation 22:15). There are big lies, small lies, “white” lies, hiding the truth and deception where you make someone think different than the truth. God hates anything but the truth.
The third thing that God hates is hands that shed innocent blood. This is talking about murder. The sixth commandment is found in Exodus 20:13 “You shall not murder.” I doubt if you would ever be guilty of actually killing another person. But what if you hated your brother or sister? 1 John 3:14-15 “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” Jesus taught in Matthew 5:21-22 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.” According to God, hatred is equivalent to murder.
The fourth thing God hates is a heart that devises wicked plans. Any plan made for fulfilling our fleshly lusts could be a wicked scheme. Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” To be tempted and fall to sin is bad enough. But to make provision for sin would seem to be a wicked plan. After King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he instructed the army commander to cause her husband to be killed in battle; this was a wicked plan (2 Samuel 11). Any plan to bring harm or vengeance to another person would also be a wicked plan.
The fifth thing God hates is feet that are swift in running to evil. A person who is quick to rush into evil displays no resistance to sin. Titus 3:3 “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.” Prior to becoming Christians we were quick to run to evil. Now we should resist temptation.
The sixth thing God hates is a false witness who speaks lies. The ninth commandment is in Exodus 20:16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” When we are witness to an occasion where someone said or did something, we may be asked later what we heard or what we saw. If we are not totally honest or we go beyond what we actually witnessed, we would be a false witness.
The final thing God hates is one who sows discord among brethren. The apostle Paul was concerned about the church in Corinth. 2 Corinthians 12:20 “For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults.” Any of these things listed would cause discord among the brethren. Gossip has the potential of causing discord among brethren.
These are seven things God hates. Why does God hate these things? Because they are contrary to His nature and His will for mankind. They are all a result of the works of the flesh. If God hates these things, I encourage you to also hate them. I encourage you to be careful not to be guilty of any of these. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God.”