In my last blog (June 3) I explored the question: DOES GOD HATE? The answer, according to the Bible, is “Yes.” For some people, this is a hard one. It’s difficult for people to wrap their minds around the idea that God, who they believe is loving, patient and kind, can also hate certain actions and those actions can be disgusting to him. Proverbs 6:16-19 makes it very clear there are things God hates. Most of us, especially if you’re younger than 55, have been raised in a culture which strongly promotes situational ethics and condemns absolute truth, the idea there is right and wrong. Here’s the newsflash: there are some things which ARE wrong! It doesn’t matter who, or where, or the circumstances surrounding the situation, it’s wrong.
In today’s blog I want to delve deeper into the “six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him.” (Proverbs 6:16) Here are the seven things, and then we will come back to a definition for each one: 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.
HAUGHTY EYES: This is by definition a person who looks down on others. This is someone who is so prideful and arrogant they consider themselves better than others. This could include the person who tears down others to build themselves up. God hates this attitude! Instead, Philippians 2:3 (NLT) says, “Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.”
A LYING TONGUE: Truthful communication is the key to pretty much everything in life. If you can’t trust what comes out of a person’s mouth it’s nearly impossible to have a relationship and/or to work together with them. The Bible places a high priority on our relationships and when we are less than truthful with others, God hates it. Instead, we need to pursue Ephesians 4:25 (NIV) ”Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
EVIL HANDS: It’s a capital crime to take the life of the innocent. This has always been a major issue to God, yet the spirit of Cain, who committed the first murder, continues to be manifested in our world today. From my recall, it seems like many times when the Bible makes reference to “innocent blood” it’s referring to babies and children. God hates it when the indefensible and most vulnerable among us become victims of evil hands. Instead, we need to strive to make Deuteronomy 19:10 true (NIV) “So innocent blood will not be shed in the midst of your land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance, and bloodguiltiness be on you.”
WICKED HEART: A wicked heart devises and dreams up wicked schemes. These are people who are looking for ways to take advantage of others, who hunt down the weak (Psalm 10:2), who use whatever means necessary to win (Isaiah 32:7). God hates this! Instead, what God wants from those who are fully devoted to him is for us to: “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. 4 Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4; also, Isaiah 1:17).
In my next post I will expound of the final three things God hates. Until then, what do we do with the knowledge we have of what God hates? Before we ever begin to apply this truth to others we need to apply it to our own lives. We don’t want what God hates to be a part of our lives, even a little. So, if we see these things beginning to creep into our spiritual heart we quickly go to the Lord to confess the sin and ask Him to change our heart. You know what? He loves this!
No comments:
Post a Comment