It is God’s love for people, His compassion for the race, that prompts Him to hate sin with such a vengeance. He gave Heaven’s finest that we might have the best, and He loathes with a holy abhorrence any thing, any force or any power that would hinder our being reconciled to Him.
What does God hate, you ask? Solomon answers the question in the Book of Proverbs. We read this: “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” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
First, God hates a proud look. The Bible says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). The Bible again says, “A man’s pride will bring him low” (Proverbs 29:23). And it says, “Those who walk in pride He is able to put down” (Daniel 4:37).
In almost every instance in the Bible, as well as in life, pride is associated with failure, not success. Pride caused the fall of Lucifer, and he became Satan, the devil. It was pride that led King Saul down to a shameful and untimely death. Pride caused Peter to deny his Lord.
Pride keeps thousands away from Christ today. “What will my friends say? What will my family think? Will my reputation be affected if I become a Christian?”
Jesus expressed Himself strongly on this matter of pride: “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). The entrance to the Kingdom of Heaven is gained through your coming in humility. No man or woman will ever be in Heaven who has not humbled themselves at the foot of the cross of Christ.
The greatest act of humility in the history of the universe was when Jesus Christ stooped to die on the cross of Calvary. And before anyone can get to Heaven, they must kneel at the foot of the cross and acknowledge that they are a sinner, that they have broken the commandments of God, and that they need the grace of God in Christ. No man or woman can come proudly to the Savior.
Second, the Bible says that God hates a lying tongue. Where did we learn to lie? Isn’t it strange that children lie instinctively without being taught? The flagrant sins of fraud, embezzlement, slander, libel and breach of promise are the products of a lying heart.
Where did this blighting deceit come from? Jesus gave us the answer when He said to those who lived and spoke a lie in His day, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do” (John 8:44). Human nature was warped and twisted in the fall of Adam. But Jesus Christ, who is the truth, came saying, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
The Bible says that God hates any form of lying. Lying is anything that is contrary to the naked truth. The Bible says that Satan is a liar; and no liar will have any part in the Kingdom of Heaven except by the grace of God.
Third, the Bible says that God hates hands that shed innocent blood. The sixth commandment says, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Psychologists tell us that the seed of murder lurks in the heart of the most respected person.
The Bible says, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15). Murder can be committed in many ways. Personalities can be damaged by mental cruelty. You can murder your wife, your children and your friends by the poisonous venom of hatred and bitterness.
All murderers are not behind bars. Those who kill the body are punishable by the law, but many who are free are just as guilty of destroying the lives, the personalities and the souls of others. God holds such people accountable for murder.
Fourth, the Bible says that God hates a heart that devises wicked plans. Thought is sown in the mind before it is reaped in the field of action. It was the evil imaginations of the people of Noah’s day that prompted God to judge the world. The Bible says, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” And God said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth … for I am sorry that I have made them” (Genesis 6:5, 7).
The law judges sin according to the act, but God judges us according to the evil of our hearts. “Whoever looks ... to lust ... has already committed adultery ... in his heart,” said Jesus (Matthew 5:28).
We are living in a day when men and women’s imaginations are evil in the sight of God. The Bible says that He hates this. No person with evil imaginations can inherit the Kingdom of God. God hates evil imaginations. They lead to habits, habits lead to bondage, and bondage leads to death. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
Fifth, the Bible says that God hates feet that are swift in running to evil. This refers to the sin of action. Evil thoughts and imagination, if nourished and fed, will eventually lead to sinful actions. There are people in every community who openly and flagrantly violate God’s law. They boast that they are not hypocrites, and they make no pretense of being good; but this does not excuse them for their wickedness.
The man or woman whose feet are swift in running to evil has reached the point of no return, morally. Such people overtly, openly and avowedly are sinners.
Sixth, the Bible says that God hates a man or woman who sows discord among brethren. We have come to think that it is a harmless thing to sow discord in the office, the shop, the church, the club or the home. But the Bible says that God hates discord, and He strongly denounces those who sow strife.
The Bible has as much or more to say about this little-heard-of sin than any other. “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice,” says the Bible (Ephesians 4:31). The Bible again says, “Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit” (Psalm 34:13). And again it says, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless” (James 1:26).
What can we do about these dreadful traits that are in our hearts? There is little that you can do, but there is something God has done. The secret is found in the words of Paul: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Jesus Christ, if received into your life, can make your tongue so that it will speak only that which is good. Jesus Christ can come into your heart and transform you, change your nature, until you’ll love instead of hate. Gossiping, slandering and maligning will no longer provide pleasure.
How can this be? I’ll tell you. Christ, through His triumphant death on the cross, purchased for you a new lease on life. “I have come that they may have life,” He said (John 10:10). The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). We have seen thousands of people whose lives have been transformed by the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (see Romans 1:16). The same power of Christ can transform your life.
You say, “But Billy, I’m guilty of all the things you have mentioned.” Yes, the Bible says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
But no matter how guilty you may be, God can forgive you today because Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins. Yes, God hates the evil of your heart, but He loves you with an infinite love.
However, this matter of salvation is not thrust upon you; it is a gift, and it must be received. Here is a promise on which you may put your whole trust: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12).
At this moment you can receive Christ. He will forgive every sin you have ever committed and give you a power and a dynamic for living; new strength, new power over the temptations of life. But first you must renounce your sins, confess them and receive Christ into your heart. Will you do it right now? You can at this moment, and He will change your life. ©1955 BGEA
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version.
