Proverbs 6:18 – Six Things That the Lord Hates

Don’t be fooled by the title; it’s actually seven things that are an abomination to God, as outlined in Proverbs 6:16-19:

There are six things that the Lord hates,

    seven that are an abomination to him:

haughty eyes, a lying tongue,

    and hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that devises wicked plans,

    feet that make haste to run to evil,

a false witness who breathes out lies,

    and one who sows discord among brothers.

Why does the Bible dwell on the sins that man commits which are unholy in God’s sight?  Couldn’t Scripture just tell us how God loves to bless us and pour out His favor?  God would probably prefer to do that; actually a day is coming when there won’t be any sin among us and that desire on both our parts will be realized.  The Lord will be free to shower us with all His love and stop issuing warnings that we need to be careful to heed, since we’ll be in His personal presence.  What a glorious day that will be!  In the meantime, here we are needing the correction from the Word.

This proverb provides a good and valid list of transgressions that man commits which grieve the Lord.  This isn’t all of them, but it’s a good start.  Let’s discuss them briefly:

  • Haughty eyes.  This is pride.  Someone thinks he is better than someone else or has accomplished a task that feeds his ego, and his estimation of who he is goes off the charts.  Who hasn’t been prideful?  Who hasn’t gotten that little sneer on his face and said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about”?  What does God say about this?  Be humble.  Take pride in the Lord.  We are but a breath that wisps away on the wind.  Be assured, our pride will be swept away and be of no account.  Humility and brokenness are what brings us into the presence of God!
  • A Lying Tongue.  How God hates lies!  In the list in Revelation 21:8 of those who experience the second death, He includes all liars.  They’re in the company of idolators and the sexually immoral, so you know lying is high on God’s docket of sins.  The truth is sometimes difficult to tell, but how much better to get it out in the open while pleasing God at the same time!
  • Hands That Shed Innocent Blood.  How does this come about?  Let me count the ways.  The pink elephant in the room with this one is abortion, of course.  In America alone, the number of aborted babies is about 60 million and counting.  Even worse, if that’s possible – which it is – is the use of aborted fetal parts for research.  Those engaged in this practice compound the iniquity and are storing up for themselves God’s wrath.  Another horrific example of this is the use of children in sexual trafficking.  There are many who become victims of snuff porn or who simply outgrow their usefulness.  How God must shine His favor on those who fight against these awful practices!
  • A Heart That Devises Wicked Plans.  Proverbs 4:16 speaks of such people:

For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;

    they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.

Rather than focusing on the good they could do, there are those whose every thought is contrary to God’s.  What does the Lord ask of us?  To pray without ceasing.  To keep our eyes on Him.  For those who do, His mercy and grace are unending!

  • Feet That Make Haste to Run to Evil.  This is related to the above item.  Not only do such people think continually about how to harm others or satisfy their own selfish interests, they work hard at it.  Rather than the fruit of their labors producing something sweet and pleasing to God, it is bitter and unworthy of any of His creation.  Their deeds bear rotten fruit that is only useful for vomiting out.  Is it not more worthwhile to labor in the Lord’s vineyard?  What blessings God gives us through our efforts at bringing some to know Him and to disciple them in all His ways!
  • A False Witness.  Similar to the lying tongue, this sin deliberately brings ill repute to an innocent person.  Scripture describes numerous times that such wicked men were brought forth to speak against Jesus or Paul.  These accusers made up scenarios that never happened all for the purpose of destroying good and righteous men.  We may not always get all the facts straight in an account because we don’t necessarily have the necessary perspective, but when we come forward with the truth, that is what God desires.  He wants us to be true and trustworthy in what we say and do.  In that, He is pleased!
  • One Who Sows Discord Among Brothers.  There are those who incite people in the secular world.  God expects that.  They are unredeemed and subject to following through on their own sinful thoughts, as well as having Satan use them for his evil purposes.  However, someone causing dissension among the people of God in the assembly of believers is egregious to Him.  As the Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ, we are to know better.  Paul rebukes the Corinthians for taking their disputes to a secular court because in future times, they will judge angels.  Are we as God’s people no better than unbelievers?  Psalm 133:1 is the picture that God desires for us:

Behold, how good and pleasant it is

    when brothers dwell in unity!

In our human condition, we have differences of opinion.  Ultimately, however, in the church, as long as God’s Word is being adhered to, we should come together in the unity of the Body.  After all, we’ll be spending eternity together!

For all that God hates, He also loves to see us live sinless lives.  How do we do this?  When we trust in Jesus and make Him our Savior and Lord – emphasis on Lord in this case – then we will do all that he commands.  Should we not be obedient slaves to Christ?  Will that not result in “our best life now”?  Indeed, and actually by following Christ and doing all that He says in the way that He determines, the Lord’s goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives.

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