Seven things that God hates

Hate is a strong word! Did you know that even God hates certain things? Many people hold the belief that He couldn’t possibly hate anything because He is a God of love. However, the book of Proverbs outlines seven things or behaviours that the Lord hates. It even describes these seven things as an ‘abomination’ or atrocity to Him. Prov 6:16.

The first thing that God hates is ‘haughty eyes’ or ‘a proud look’.
Prov 6:17. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with being proud of an achievement. The writer is talking about the sort of pride we have when we think of ourselves as better than others and we start to despise and look down on those around us. Let’s face it; no one likes this sort of person! But are we ever guilty of being proud ourselves?

Secondly, the Lord hates a lying tongue. Prov 6:17. Lies slip out of our mouths so easily at times, but even the smallest of lies can create turmoil within our relationships. God also hates ‘hands that shed innocent blood’. Prov 6:17. Obviously, this is not relevant in the literal sense for the majority of people in society today, however the principle remains the same. Consider your workplace or school where people are bullied and berated just for being a little different or ‘left of centre’. How damaging this can be to the innocent victim who is so unjustly treated.

Next, we’re told that the Lord hates a heart that ‘devises wicked plans’. Prov 6:18. It’s one thing to stumble into sin, but to proactively devise evil or immoral plans in our heart is abhorrent to the Lord. Jealousy can cause us to conceive a way that will set another person up for failure. It’s crucial that we learn to guard our hearts against this behaviour.

The Lord hates feet that run rapidly to evil. Prov 6:18. Often we can have the best of intentions, but the one whose feet ‘run rapidly to evil’ is someone who is immediately distracted and drawn away by every enticing temptation.

The fifth thing that the Lord hates is a ‘false witness who speaks lies’. Prov 6:19. A false witness is someone who does not present the whole truth of a matter. We may even stay silent, which is misleading in itself. Our natural instinct is to preserve ourselves at all costs, so we are inclined to say (or not say!) whatever is necessary, to ensure that we don’t take the fall.

Finally, God hates one who ‘spreads strife among brethren’.
Prov 6:19. The smallest morsel of gossip can spread like wildfire, wreaking havoc upon our relationships and fracturing the closest of friendships. We all know someone who takes pleasure in doing this! However, we must all accept the challenge to understand the distress and damage that our words may cause and know when things should and should not be said.

It’s fascinating to note that each of the seven behaviours described in the book of Proverbs has a direct impact on other people. This is because God values relationship above all else, and anything that wars against relationship is abhorred by Him. We must commit ourselves to vigilantly avoid these seven behaviours. They will only bring us to grief; and anyway, who wants to be doing something that the Lord hates!

Nathan Smith

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July 2010

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