There is a question that came up recently, "Does God Hate?" The answer to that is "God doesn't hate his creation, but he does hate the evil that leads to wrong actions. In fact, Proverbs 6:16-19 states
16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
Billy Graham said,
It’s God’s love for man that prompts Him to hate sin with a vengeance.
The following is Solomon’s list of the six things God hates and the seventh that is detestable to Him.
1. Haughty Eyes
Haughty eyes denote arrogance (yahir in Hebrew), a spirit of superiority. A haughty spirit leads to “a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
This is often called Lucifer’s sin. He exalted himself above God (Isaiah 14:13-14). It was also a factor in the dramatic humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. A few signs of haughtiness are setting oneself up as a judge over others, criticizing or rebelling against authorities, and boasting.
King David said God will bring low those “whose eyes are haughty.” Daniel said God will humble those who walk in pride. Jesus said, “those who exalt themselves will be humbled.” And the Apostle Paul described arrogance as acting out of “selfish ambition or vain conceit,” an attitude so unlike the humble mindset of Jesus. God resists the proud, and Paul said he was kept from this detestable sin by a “thorn in the flesh” to humble him.
Arrogance closes people off from godly wisdom and instruction and the salvation they need. “No one can come proudly to the Savior,” Billy Graham said.
2. A Lying Tongue
A person with a lying tongue aggressively intends to deceive. The falsehoods are used to hurt people, exalt oneself, challenge others’ character, or flatter people for selfish purposes. While it’s impossible for God to lie, and He detests lies, Satan is a liar and the “father of lies.” Jesus said it is out of the abundance of the heart that our mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). Psalm 109:2 predicted that those with wicked hearts would open their mouths in lies against the Messiah.
Signs of a lying tongue might include not telling the truth about a wrongdoing, telling half-truths or “white lies,” flattering for personal gain, exaggerating facts, blaming others for our own sins, making excuses, and even withholding needed information. “Lying lips are an abomination” to God, but He delights in the truthful. His hatred for lying was evident in the early church when Ananias and Sapphira died as a result of their deception. Paul exhorts believers not to lie, because it is part of the “old self.” Instead, we should walk (and talk) in truth.
3. Hands That Shed Innocent Blood
God hates the unlawful, intentional, premeditated, violent shedding of innocent blood. He is the Creator of life, and all human life is created in His image. Murder is a grievous sin, a characteristic of an evil culture and a desire for power and greed. But in some cases, the Bible does not forbid killing (Joshua 11:20). Just as the devil was a liar from the beginning, he was also a murderer (John 8:44a).
Additional scriptures bear on certain issues concerning killing people regarding abortion, capital punishment, and deaths taken in war. While these issues are often debated by Christians, with many other verses that can be examined, for the purposes of this article it’s important to consider the words of Jesus regarding the murderous heart. In Matthew 5:21-24, He said anyone who is unreasonably angry with someone — without offering mercy for forgiveness — commits a sin that is equivalent to murder. This concept is repeated in 1 John 3:15. Murderers who kill the body are dealt with by the law, but many bullies and “murderers” of reputations and relationships are not behind bars.
4. A Heart That Devises Wicked Schemes
God hates it when people conceive (plot, conspire, manufacture) evil against any person or group for personal benefit or for foolish, wicked purposes. God sent the flood in Noah’s day because “every inclination” of humans’ thoughts were “only evil all the time.” David’s wicked scheme — a cover-up for his sin with Bathsheba — was a plot against her righteous husband, Uriah (2 Samuel 11). Jesus addressed adultery in Matthew 5:28, saying even a look of lusting after a woman is committing adultery in the heart.
Those who manufacture wicked plots will find plans returning upon themselves! Evil imaginations can lead to sinful habits, addictions, and bondage. In Matthew 15:19, Jesus said such wickedness comes from the “heart” — sown in the thoughts, and contaminating the will and emotions. Our deceitful hearts can make us justify these sins, but God sees thoughts and intentions. The heart must be transformed and guarded against wicked scheming.
5. Feet That Are Quick to Rush into Evil
This indicates a person who exhibits no resistance to sin, but rather is enthusiastically involved in doing what displeases God. For example, when Eve was tempted, she failed to resist the serpent’s words; but, believing him, she plunged into sin. Unlike Eve, Jesus refused to yield to Satan’s temptation.
Some claim they’re not sprinting into wickedness, but they’re not exactly running from it either, and that can set them up to sin. (For instance, how many people linger on an evil scene while changing TV channels?) Many evils are not “stumbled upon,” however. They are willfully and intentionally planned with delight in doing wrong. When evil thoughts and wicked imaginations are fed, sinful actions are not far behind. The Bible says to depart and restrain from walking toward evil, because we will reap what we sow. James says, “resist the devil” and he will flee from you (4:7).
6. A False Witness Who Pours Out Lies
While similar to the lying tongue mentioned previously, this narrower focus of lying — giving false testimony — could send someone who’s innocent to jail or to some form of destruction. False witnesses led to Naboth’s stoning, and those who sought Jesus’ death sought false witnesses against Him. Intentionally spreading misinformation, sharing malicious gossip, subtly misrepresenting the truth to create a false impression, and any act of character assassination are also forms of breathing out lies. The Bible tells Christians to put away evil speaking, because slander and lies are part of the old self.
False witnesses could also include pastors in pulpits or Bible teachers who misrepresent the Gospel of Christ. Remember: a truth-teller does not need to fear accountability; but “a false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.”
7. A Person Who Stirs Up Conflict in the Community
Proverbs 16:28 says, “A perverse person stirs up conflict and gossip separates close friends.” James says fights and quarrels come from ungodly personal desires and ambitions. Those who sow discord sabotage the work of God in the church and in other places where believers are gathering — even in the Christian home. Paul exhorts Christ-followers to, as much as possible and with effort, live at peace with others.
What Does All This Mean for Us?
If we want to do things that please God and not things He hates, we must first be certain we are in Christ. We cannot change outward behavior until our hearts are changed. Then we need to offer our bodies daily to God as a “living sacrifice” and allow Him to transform our thinking through the Word of God — replacing ungodly thinking and behavior with godly thinking and behavior.
The Holy Spirit will show us how to pursue humility, truth, and unity, and build up believers instead of tearing them down. One of the best way to build Christian community is through practicing the “one anothers” of Scripture.
