SEVEN DETESTABLE SINS

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

What makes you mad? What gets under your skin so much that you almost can’t control your anger? Is it how you’re treated at work? Maybe it’s how your spouse puts the toilet paper on the toilet paper roll (over the top or behind and under)? Maybe it’s the crimes of violence against children in our country? Possibly it’s crooked politicians? Perhaps it’s that big tree the neighbor has next door that hangs over your fence and drops leaves into your pool? Whatever it might be, did you know there are specific behaviors that anger our Lord?

 

We know that sin is despised and loathed by God. He is ultimately and completely holy, therefore unholy behavior, sin and imperfection are despised by Him. I’m not sure if it’s a complete or exhaustive list, but in Proverbs 6:16 19 there is a list of behaviors that God hates. The verse states: “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.”

 

It might be interesting if we look at each of these sinful activities to see if we can get a sense of the intensity of God’s anger towards such actions. Possibly we can begin to comprehend the degree with which God hates sin.

 

Haughty Eyes: Haughty eyes are eyes, which portray an arrogant and prideful attitude. God hates haughty eyes because they indicate a rebellious heart. Haughty eyes show an evil hatred within the person’s heart for that which is good, pure and true. Selfishness fills the mind of anyone with haughty eyes. Proverbs 8:13 talks about the wisdom of God, which hates pride and arrogance. Proverbs 16:18 states, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Haughty eyes should not be found in a child of God. They are wicked and inclined to evil. Proverbs 21:4 further supports the relationship between pride and these contemptuous eyes when it says, “Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!”

 

A Lying Tongue: We all hate a liar because we know the pain it causes when we are lied to. God hates a lying tongue for several reasons. First, lying misleads and deceives. It hinders truth and goodness in relationships. It pollutes even the best of intentions. Proverbs 26:28 says, “A lying tongue hates those it hurts.” God knows that lying causes injury and demonstrates the hate that boils within the heart of a liars tongue. Secondly, lying reflects a deceitful selfish heart. Lying occurs when the ambitions or desires of an individual are chosen instead of concern for truthfulness and the well being of others. Proverbs 12:22 gives us another verification for how God feels about lying, “The LORD detests lying lips.” God doesn’t just hate someone who lies He detests him or her.

 

Hands That Shed Innocent Blood: We can probably understand why God hates those who kill and murder innocent victims. Nothing wounds our hearts more than to hear of a child who is abused, killed or raped at the hands of an evil individual. When we hear of a wife who is brutally beaten by her husband it causes tears to well up in our eyes. When we watch the news and witness the thoughtless killing of innocent people by terrorists in our own country, a righteous anger for the murder of innocents grows in our hearts. Psalms 94 talks about how the all seeing, all hearing, all knowing God is aware of every incident involving the murder of innocent victims. God in His time will bring justice on all who undertake such acts of evil.

 

A Heart That Devises Wicked Schemes: This is not a creative inventive heart that sets its purpose on methods to bring good to others. It is a heart that is bent on evil. It devises plans and activities that will bring about evil. It plans for the destruction of others. It lays in wait with a trap or a snare that will bring it reward at the expense of others. This heart plans for sin and devises ways that sin can be fulfilled. Jeremiah 17:9 illuminates us about the human heart when it says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” God hates a devious heart but will transform it if we let him. Ezekiel 36:26 speaks of what God wished to do with Israel if it repented of sin, but it is also a representation of what He will do for anyone who accepts His son as their savior. It states, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” In God’s plans even a wicked heart can be transformed by His grace and power.

 

Feet That Are Quick To Rush To Evil: We’re all tempted at one time or another, but if we are quick to rush to sin whenever it presents itself, we are running to our destruction. Picture someone walking down a city street minding his or her own business. Their eyes glance briefly to the picture window of a small shop. There lays before them any manner of temptation, for a man it might be pornographic books, for an overweight diabetic it might be luscious chocolate candy, for an alcoholic, bottles of wine and hard liquor, for a woman on a meager budget an expensive dress. What if this individual doesn’t even hesitate to consider what they should do, they rush into the store and purchase a vast quantity of whatever feeds their sin. Proverbs 4:25 27 has advice for such an individual, “Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” While our minds and hearts allow us to contemplate evil, our feet take us there. We can sin in our thoughts, but we make public our inner sins when our feet take action upon our evil commands. God hates not just the feet, but also the heart that directs them to sin.

 

A False Witness: God hates a lying tongue and He also hates a false witness. Lies can hurt and harm and a false witness can do the same. Innocent people can suffer when someone bears false witness against them. Gossiping is actually a form of false witness because in actuality, gossip is sharing information that is taken out of context, slightly inaccurate or making false assumptions. A false witness brings destruction not only to himself or herself but also to anyone who might listen to them. Proverbs 14:5-25 contrasts the characteristics between the two types of witnesses. “A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.” and “A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.”

 

A Man Who Stirs Up Dissension Among Brothers: God abhors people who cause disunity and rebellion within His family. God desires His children to live in harmony, peace and love. When an individual begins to cause division among brothers and sisters in Christ, God is angered. God wishes the best for His holy family. Strife, arguments, dissension and quarrels cause relationships to be wounded and damaged. Paul had to address this type of behavior in the Corinthian church. Apparently numerous individuals were causing problem within the church and he was displeased, as he knew God was. 2 Corinthians 12:20 21, “For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.” The Corinthian church is an example of what can happen when one or more people choose to cause dissension among God’s church.

 

As Christians we are holy and righteous in God’s sight by the sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross. The problem is our life may not always reflect this holiness and righteousness. These seven items that God hates are seen in nonbeliever’s lives, but even Christians can be observed at times practicing such detestable things. We must allow God to work in our lives with His power and strength so God can mold us into the image of Christ in body, soul and spirit. While we were justified by Christ’s sacrifice, we are being sanctified through obedience to His Spirit and Word as we live our lives for our Lord and Master. Possibly if we develop a healthy distaste for sin and evil we can understand the seriousness of evil and why God hates such sins. Let us live as those who belong to a mighty God possessing the mind of Christ our Lord.