Seven things God hates: Part 1
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Searching the Scriptures
David A. Bass, Rockford Church of Christ
We usually think of God as a “God of Love.” Look carefully at 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.”
In this passage of Scripture we find seven specific things that God hates. We must also hate that which God hates.
God hates “a proud look.” Another translation says “haughty eyes.” Sinful pride is the opposite of humility, and it causes us to look down at others and think too highly of ourselves. Sinful pride causes us to look down upon those who live in less expensive home than ours, or wear cheaper clothing (not the name brands that we wear), or drive a less expensive automobile than ours.
One guilty of sinful pride is not acceptable to God. “Pride” is condemned in I John 2:15-17. Solomon,
in the long ago, wrote, “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs
16:5).
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6).
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).
Pride will destroy us. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Pride in our appearance, work, etc., is good and necessary. The pride that is sinful and repulsive to both God and man is that which is haughty and arrogant. A good example is that found in Luke 18:9-14. This Pharisee had a serious problem with sinful pride!
God also hates “a lying tongue.” We read in Colossians 3:9, “Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds.”
Webster Dictionary defines a lie as, “A falsehood uttered or acted for the purpose of deception; an intentional statement of untruth designed to mislead another.” A lie may consist of spoken words, or deception of any kind.
Even though lying is portrayed as a “way of life” in Hollywood it is not acceptable to God. God says that the Devil is the father of lies. “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.” (John 8:44).
Even though we often classify lies as “big” or “little,” etc., ALL lies are sinful and forbidden by God. The Bible says, “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and ALL LIARS shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8).
One lie often leads to a second lie and then a third, etc. If we are always honest, then we do not have to worry about what we told someone in the past. Honesty is always the best policy.
Lord willing, we will continue our study of Proverbs 6:16-19 and notice several other things that God hates. May I encourage you to continue to “search the Scriptures!”
Send your questions or comments to: Dabass1962@bellsouth.net or to the Rockford Church
of Christ; 8997 U.S. Hwy. 231; Rockford, AL 35136.
