These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:Proverbs 6:16
Prov 6:17 “A proud look...”
God hates the sideways glance, the comparison and attitude of superiority/self-righteousness. He loves humility, that element of self-forgetfulness so artfully displayed in the Savior’s demeanor. As I seek to choose the attitude of self-forgetfulness, am I desiring to please God, or to be viewed as others by a humble person?
“a lying tongue”
God is a God of Truth. He is Truth and lying offends His very nature. Is my heart attitude to present truth in each situation where I am tempted to lie?
“hands that shed innocent blood”
Each life is special to God. Meditate on that—God values the life of every single person. Whom in your life do you find difficult to love? They are just as special to God as you. And you are valued by God.
vs 18 “An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations”
Clearly, God wants our thoughts to be centered on Him.
Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusted in thee.”
Proverbs 3:6 "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
He wants me to pray without ceasing, to acknowledge Him, to walk in the Spirit. God wants my mind! How much of my mind is used for intrusive thought loops (like a bad soundtrack you keep replaying over and over) which could be redirected to thoughts of God, His Word, and intercessory prayer? Oh what peace we often forfeit because we are too forgetful or lazy to train our minds to think on these things!
“feet that be swift in running to mischief”
1 Peter 3:10-12 “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from eveil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
Psalm 11:7 “For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.”
Simply put, God loves righteousness! If my Father, Who created me and to Whom I owe all, loves righteousness, ought I not to love it and practice it for His sake? What is righteousness? It’s simply moral goodness. It’s that age-old question: What would Jesus do?
vs 19 “A false witness that speaketh lies”
Psalm 15:1-2 “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.”
When God repeats Himself, we must pay attention! The truth in your mouth starts with the truth in your mind! Go back to yesterday—what were you thinking? If you fill your mind with truth (God’s Word, meditation on His person, etc,) then truth will come out of your mouth.
“he that soweth discord among brethren”
sow=to send off
discord=strife; any disagreement which produces angry passions
Strife results from pride. God desires humility and peace. (James 3:13-18) He made us to be at peace with Him and at peace with His children.
In summary, God loves humility and hates pride. He loves truth, in our minds and our mouths. He values every person and wants us to live in peace with each other. His goal is for us to put righteousness on the outside and thoughts of Him on the inside. Let us strive to see His leading in these areas of our lives!
Laura started attending Lehigh Valley Baptist Church as a child when her family moved to the area. For years, her primary passion was in nursing and furthering her education. In the midst of pursuing a medical degree, God changed her plans and she married Jonathan Snow (read their story here). Now, she has discovered a special fulfillment from being a wife and a mother! Truly, God’s ways are always for our good and for His glory.