7 Things God Hates

Seven Things God Hates

We don’t like to talk about God hating things. After all, doesn’t the Bible say that God is love? The truth is, it does, but it also says that God is holy, just, pure, good, and perfect. He cannot be all that without hating the sin that destroys the people He created. God’s attributes are inseparable. You cannot talk about one without taking into account all the others.

So with all God’s attributes in mind, let’s look at seven things God’s Word says He hates.

Each of these comes from Proverbs 6:16-19, which says,

“These six things doth the Lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

First, God hates “A proud look.” I’m sure you know what that is. It’s something that abounds in our culture these days. It’s the look that says, “No one’s going to tell me what to do!” Our culture practically worships pride, but the Bible says God hates it. In fact, James 4:6 says, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.” A proud look is the universal symbol for a heart God is resisting. That’s a scary thought!

Next, “a lying tongue.” You know what that is, too. In fact, the way things are in America right now, it’s hard to tell who is telling the truth at any given moment! Yet, God hates the lying tongue because it is the opposite of His perfect truthfulness. Titus 1:2 says that God cannot lie. Jesus also says in John 8:44 that Satan is “a liar, and the father of it”. So, a lying tongue is in fact a tongue aligned with Satan.

“hands that shed innocent blood” This is another thing that is prevalent in our culture. Who could be more “innocent” than the unborn, yet their blood is shed every day. Add to that the victims of violence of many kinds throughout our nation every day, and it is clear that this thing God hates is alive and well in the human race. God sets a high value on life. He even notices when a sparrow falls from the sky, and Jesus Himself said that we are more valuable than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29) The shedding of innocent blood is a serious thing to Him indeed.

And then there’s “An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.” This is the heart that plots and plans how to get back at others. It is a heart bent on dealing with things its own way, and it is often motivated by bitterness. At its core, this is the heart of unforgiveness, which is contrary to God’s forgiving heart of mercy and love. Romans 13:10 says, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” And in Romans 12 says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” (19-21)

After the heart plotting wickedness comes “feet that be swift in running to mischief.” I have not studied this out in depth, but it seems to me this could mean two things: either a person who runs towards mischief out of sheer delight in it, or one who is so hasty in running here and there, they do not stop to think about what they do, and therefore end up running into mischief. Either one is wrong. Proverbs 10:23 says, “It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.” And Proverbs 24:16 says, “For  just man falleth seven times,  and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”  Proverbs also says that “Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.” Doing mischief to others is just as dangerous as falling prey to it oneself!

Why does God hate mischief? Because it is the opposite of His lovingkindness, and usually involves deceit and a heart for revenge.

Next, we have “A false witness that speaketh lies” This is similar to a lying tongue, but in a different context. The Old Testament law puts special emphasis on the importance of a faithful witness. One who bears witness to anything is expected to be truthful and trustworthy in what they say. This is a big deal to God because He is always wholly trustworthy in all that He says. Solomon says in Proverbs 22 that he wrote “That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightiest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee” (v21) The trustworthiness of God’s “witness” in His Word is paramount, because upon it hangs all that we know about God, and ourselves, and salvation.

Finally, there is “He that soweth discord among brethren.” This (among many other things on the list) brings to mind those that have been stirring up violence and destruction through the protests in Portland and other places. But the sowing of discord can be more subtle as well. It is the telling of that one thing, the making of that one inflammatory remark that will get everyone riled up. It is the constant picking at others behind their back, or the discontent with a boss or leader that is voiced only to our peers. This is dangerous, and God hates it. Perhaps it is partly because God is our example of perfect unhindered unity.

The Trinity is difficult for us to comprehend, but it is nevertheless a truth. Within the Trinity, all three Persons, equally Divine, act in perfect unity one with another. Consider what Jesus said:

“And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him” John 8:29

“I and My Father are One” (John 10:30)

And what did Jesus pray for His followers, including you and me?

“Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are.” Unity is important for us as believers, because it is the result of a heart in tune with God, and it is also a point of testimony to the world. After all, getting nonbelievers to act and think in unity one with another is like asking a fish to fly! Apart from Christ, we’re just not built for it. But in Christ, we have His grace to enable us and His Spirit to lead us into unity, first with God, and then with our fellow Christians.

So, there you have it: seven things God hates. Taking time to slow down and think about each of these things challenged me to look first at myself, and then at the things I have surrounded myself with, to see if I have allowed any of these things to creep into my life.