A Passage To Ponder: Proverbs 6:16-19

“God hates” is not an expression we often hear.

We preach about the love of God. We sing about it. We write about it. We read scriptures like “God so loved the world…” (Jn 3:16).

But, “God hates”?

This generation has been lead to believe, if they even believe in God, that He is soft-hearted. Indulgent. Permissive. Tolerant. And will, like a kindly old grandfather, coddle us, overlooking our sins.

Yet, the Bible clearly states there are some people and some things the “Lord hates.”

“For the Lord detests a perverse man” (Prov 3:32).

“The Lord detests men of perverse heart” (Prov. 11:20)

The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked…the way of the wicked…and the thoughts of the wicked (Prov. 15:8-9).

“The Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce” (Mal. 2:16).

Then in today’s Bible reading is this sobering passage to ponder, we are advised that “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him” (Prov 6:16-19).

1. A proud look

“Pride is usually the basic motivation for all other sins,” observed Bible commentator Warren Wiersbe. Carnality is characterized by “the pride of life.” It’s what caused Satan to be Satan. And was one of his tools to deceive Eve to eat the forbidden fruit.

Pride hinders people from obeying the gospel of Christ. Pride cripples our relationships. Pride keeps people from admitting their wrongs.. “Pride,” opined John Ruskin, “is at the bottom of all great mistakes.”

The wise man was right. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

2. A lying tongue.

“Everyone lies,” we are told. Lying is not considered serious. Unless you lie to Congress. And then it’s a punishable offense, with jail time. Otherwise, it seems we almost expect politicians to lie. Advertisers to lie. And prejudiced pundits to lie.

God, however, hates lying. It is a sin. Lying is of the devil who is a liar, and “the father of all lies” (Jn 8:44). Christians are admonished to put away lying and speak the truth (Eph. 4:25). And warned that all liars will be eternally punished (Rev. 21:8).

3. Hands that shed innocent blood.

This is condemning murder. Not self-defense. Or an accidental death. But the ruthless, cruel, and conniving attitude that disregards the sanctify of human life. This includes the career criminal. The cop killer. The abortionist. The rogue cop who abuses his power. The racist. And the rabble-rousing rioter who loots and kills others as he plunders and pillages the property of the innocent.

4. A heart the devises wicked plans.

God has given humankind the power of imagination. But some abuse and misuse it to hatch devious plans. They devise and plot all kinds of mischief. Their thoughts are obsessed with nefarious notions and wicked schemes Such people have allowed the heart to be corrupted by evil desires.

5. Feet that are swift in running to evil.

A good person may slip. And unintentionally stray into error. But unrighteous people deliberately rush toward evil. Some look for opportunities to engage in ungodly acts. We see riotous celebrations when a sports team wins a championship. Or even when the lose. Either way it’s an excuse to run toward and engage in wickedness. We’re seeing the same thing today with the racial unrest. Those with dishonorable intentions are using the lawful, peaceful protests to do evil.

6. A false witness who speaks lies.

Perjury is another form of lying. Its dishonesty may be motived by hurting someone else. Or because they’ve received a bribe. Or to cover up their own wrong doing. Or even out of a sense of pride to be the center of attention. Whatever, the reason, it’s wrong. And God hates it.

7. One who sows discord among brethren.

One preacher put it this way: “Troublemakers cannot bear to see Christians dwelling together in love and unity. Like termites lurking in a beautiful house, they feel compelled to slowly but surely destroy the harmony and peace of whatever church they attend.”

Gossip, innuendo, and false accusations can and often do fan the flames of discord. Modern means of communication and social media can be the easy tools for sowing seeds of dissonance and disharmony.

Sadly, some good people have gone astray and fallen prey to this sin, often motived by envy, jealousy and pride. As a result, the church suffers. Satan rejoices. And God is grieved.

It is a fact. The God of love also hates. Let’s beware of condoning, overlooking, endorsing or practicing the things that God hates.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman