Today, we come to the end of this list and see the final thing God hates. The passage at first mentions that there are six things God hates but in changes to seven things. The seventh thing God hates is a result of the six things listed previously. All six lead up to this seventh thing.
Number Seven: One who spreads strife among brothers
Proverbs 6:16-19
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.
As previously stated, this last thing is the apex of the list and is included as an abomination to Him. It’s not very often today that we hear the slanderer, the libeler, or the gossiper called out and corrected. For some reason, those that cause trouble at work, school, shop, or in the home or church seem to be able to get away with it nowadays. Is it harmless? I think not, but we act like it’s no big deal. If you cause trouble, God hates you.
I know that’s some strong language. But notice the change in the direction the hate is pointing. In the first five sins that God hates all had a body part that was associated with the crime.
- Haughty eyes
- Lying tongue
- Hands shedding innocent blood
- Heart that devises wicked plans
- Feet that run quickly to evil
It’s not till the sixth and seventh that the hatred from God points directly at the person that is active in those sins.
What can we do about all these terrible sins God hates?
Paul says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).
It takes mind control to avoid all the things God hates.
I can do this. I should do this because I don’t want to be involved in doing something that God hates. Do you? Of course not…
I love you,
Alexander