Proverbs 6:16-19 - These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Recently I have been reading through the book of Proverbs and came upon this portion.  We know that God doesn’t tolerate sin, but here is a clear list of things that God absolutely hates.  

1. A proud look

   • This sin is also called having ‘haughty eyes’.  As seen in James 4:6, God despises pride.  It is the original sin, before the fall of man.  It was through pride and haughtiness that Satan fell from heaven thinking that he could be superior to God.  

     James 4:6 - But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

   • We should never forget that everything we are and all that we have comes from God.  We cannot ever think of ourselves as being superior to others.  

2. A lying tongue

   • This sin is not so simple as just telling a white lie.  People who have a lying tongue are doing it knowingly, willingly, and with the intent to deceive others.  By choosing to tell lies, you are becoming more like Satan, who is the father of lies (John 8:44).

     John 8:44 - You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

   • God is the God of truth.  In Ephesians 4:25, God wants His children to put away lying and to speak the truth.  

     Ephesians 4:25 - Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

3. Hands that shed innocent blood

   • This sin means heartless cruelty with the act of murder.  The event that sticks in mind most clearly when thinking of this sin is the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-15).  Cain shed the innocent blood of his brother and was punished accordingly. Cain’s punishment meant that he was exiled and the land that he farmed no longer responded to him because he shed innocent blood on it.   

   • While we can definitely take this in the literal sense to mean not to murder, there is also another sin here to consider.  In the New Testament, Christ clearly says that if you hate your fellow brother and call him a fool, you are a murderer in your heart.  God is just and compassionate.  He will never stand for cruelty against the innocent.

4. A heart that devises evil plans

   • This sin focuses more on the internal, rather than the external like the others.  This is specific to scheming and thinking of evil plans within your own heart.  In Matthew 15:18,19, Christ says that our thoughts and our heart is the source of evil.  The heart itself produces evil thoughts, which later leads to the physical manifestation of those sins - murder, adultery, theft, lies, etc.  

     Matthew 15:18,19 - But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

5. Feet that are swift in running to evil

   • This sin is referring to those who are quick to rush into mischief or evil.  They have no resistance against sin, instead they run boldly in that direction.  In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter reminds the believers that the devil is prowling waiting for whom he can devour/bring into sin.  

     1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

   • We must draw close to God to resist evil and temptations.  God is the only one that can help us overcome.  We cannot do it on our own.  This can be accomplished by prayer and meditation in God’s Word.  

6. A false witness who speaks lies

   • We may be thinking that this sin is the same as #2.  While similar, this sin is specific to slander.  These lies can lead to imprisonment, death, and/or destruction of an individual.  In Ephesians 4:29, believers are reminded not to have corrupt communications.  Our words should be used for the edification of others, not to bring them down.  

     Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

7. One who sows discord among brethren 

   • The first six on the list are evils which God hates, while this one is considered an abomination to Him.  One could say that it is perhaps the worst sin on the list.  This sin is mentioned as being an action against brethren.  This can mean either within family members or within the church.  

   • God created the church for unity and fellowship.  We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.  God intended for us to live in harmony with one another.  God despises strife amongst His children.  Anyone who purposely causes disruption to peace in the body of Christ acts in opposition to God.