There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.

                                                                                                               Proverbs 6:16-19 

Today: Read Proverbs 6

Hate is a strong word but we have it on good authority that there are things that God Almighty hates. In poetic fashion, the writer lists seven things that God despises. Five of these things are described using parts of our bodies (i.e. eyes, tongue, hands, and so forth). I believe that, by extension, the last two items are part of the tongue as well therefore all seven can be considered sinful actions in which we can engage with our bodies. It is important to note that it is the sinful activities that God hates and not the people performing these actions. Christ suffered and died for the very people that have and will get entangled in these behaviors. So let’s embrace the cross as we avoid this detestable conduct.

Haughty Eyes

Haughtiness is arrogance. To look at someone with haughty eyes is to believe oneself to be superior. It is having an attitude of disdain toward others. When we believe that someone is beneath our consideration and is not worthy of our respect, we are seeing them through haughty eyes. Tragically, this can happen in and out of the church. The gospel is a constant reminder that what we have in Christ is a gift and that none of us can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is understandable that the writer would lead with this since we live in a world full of haughtiness. When someone is given a position of power or they have accumulated enormous material wealth, humility is the only defense against the development of haughtiness. As believers, we are to always live in a state of humility (James 4:6), considering others as more important than ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4).

A Lying Tongue

It should be common sense to imagine that God would oppose those who lie. When we hide things under the cloak of purposeful, misinformation, we are nothing short of becoming liars. Perhaps you have experienced a time in your life in which the truth was extremely inconvenient. Although difficult to sometimes own up to our failings and mistakes, living in the light of the truth has one major, spiritual advantage; it sets us spiritually free. Someone might suggest that it is the absence of failure that sets us free, but I would argue that it is not our failures that enslave us rather it is our denial of such and our failure to deal with them on a real and personal level. When you fail, own it, admit it, and move on in the freedom that comes from the truth.

Hands That Shed Innocent Blood

Whether it’s a defenseless child in his/her mother’s womb or violence in the streets, when we commit murder, we are, in a sense, playing the role of God. It was God who formed the man and breathed into him the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). It is this same God that sent us a Savior to provide eternal life for those who call on His name (John 3:16, Romans 10:13). Life does not originate with us and it is morally unlawful for us to decide when it ends. We must respect life…all life. Mankind has been given hands and those hands can be extended as instruments of peace and friendship or they can be utilized to inflict death and destruction. There are two kingdoms at work in this world. One is set on despair, death, and destruction while the other brings life, redemption, and healing. We have to choose whose kingdom we will honor with our hands.

A Heart That Devises Wicked Plans

Jesus said that whatever goes into a man cannot defile the man rather it is what proceeds out of his heart that defiles him (Matthew 15:17-18). This evil proceeding out of our hearts is the essence of malice. To be malicious is to be calculating in your plans and schemes in order to do evil. This is perhaps the most egregious of sins because it cannot be explained as “failing” in a weak moment or being “tricked” or “lured” into an action. Malice is deliberate, intentional planning of evil. It usually involves revenge or some other action that we rationalize to ourselves as just. As believers, we represent a very different perspective, one that is deliberate and intentional about showing mercy and providing grace in the face of opposition. This goes well beyond “turning the other cheek.” This Christ-like approach to life is to be wronged if that is what is necessary to represent the gospel (1 Corinthians 6:7). Our goal is not wickedness rather love displayed in godliness.

Feet That Run Rapidly To Evil

Similar to a heart that plans evil are the feet that quickly run to it. We learn when we are young that the company we keep and the places we go dictate a large part of whom we become and the reputation that we project to others. This truth remains as reliable in adulthood as it was in childhood. To what kinds of places are we drawn? With what kinds of people do we desire to be associated? Believers do not have to make sure that every acquaintance is a fellow believer, but we do need to guard against the influence that the world can bring into our lives. The places we go and the company we keep will indeed move us either toward a life of loving and serving God or it will act to draw us away. When we desire the things of the world and the company of those who seek it, we deny the very faith in which we claim to stand. Our feet should not be quick to run to evil rather we should have “beautiful” feet willing to proclaim the gospel (Romans 10:15).

A False Witness Who Utters Lies

It seems that all decency has been abandoned in our world today. If lying means that we can injure our opponents and get ahead in the world, then by all means, lying must be the only logical route. Unfortunately, too many people have adopted this tactic and lifestyle of spreading falsehoods for the purpose of injuring or “getting ahead.” For starters, we should not be negatively talking about one another at all. What is often deemed as “lesser” sins are those of gossip and slander, but scripture deals with them in the same terms as it deals with any other sin (Ephesians 4:25, 31, 2 Corinthians 12:20). If we are going to say something about another, it should be wholly rooted in truth. Sometimes we justify what we spread about others by acknowledging that it is true or at least based on truth. But if the motive behind the speech is to injure or advance oneself, it is entirely out of place for the believer. Our tongues are to be constructive, not destructive (Ephesians 4:29).

One Who Spreads Strife Among Brothers

Finally, we are given the seventh of the detestable actions that God hates. This is the spreading of strife. Angry or bitter disagreement, conflict, friction, discord, and dissension all serve as the epitome of strife. Tragically, like the sin of haughty eyes, strife can be found in and out of the church. I am ready for the day when believers will wise up to the fact that whenever strife rules the day in the church, the enemy has effectively dismantled the very effectiveness of that church. Life is hard enough without having to take on extra problems and issues in the place designed to be a sanctuary from the world. Whenever believers disagree, they have a choice to make, have constructive dialogue about the disagreement or fall into the trap of becoming angry and bitter with one another. While disagreements and viewpoints will always be a reality in this world, conflict and dissension doesn’t have to be. The choice is always there to accurately demonstrate the power of the cross to a watching world (Galatians 5:15).

Proverbs give us wisdom on how to live our lives in the midst of a fallen world. We have all fallen short of God’s design for our lives and therefore we are all equally in need of a Savior (Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23). As believers, we can be assured that the very people who have and will get entangled in the things that God hates, Christ came to redeem. That is the gospel!