"Six Things the Lord Hates"
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Proverbs Series; Proverbs 6:16-19

Introduction: Hate is a strong word. In fact, if you are like me, you might have even told your children (or been told by your mother), not to hate. And yet it is a word that is used in the Bible. This word is used in the Bible well over 100 times. The challenge is that if we are to love others, how can we hate them. And I think the focus for our hate needs to not be on people, but on the actions of people. I believe it is good and right to hate the evil actions of others.

In today’s lesson, we are told that there are 6 things that God hates; 7 which are an abomination to Him. And then we are told of the 7 things: pride, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a wicked heart, feet that run to evil, testifying falsely, and one who sows discord. Now I don’t believe this is an exhaustive list of that which God despises, because last week we learned that God despises injustice. But they are 7 things which we need to avoid, and if they are in our life, we need to rid ourselves of them.

I. Pride- (2 Chronicles 26:16; Psalm 10:4; Proverbs 13:10, 16:18)

First, we are told that God hates pride. Why is this? Well, let me

share a few Bible verses that will help us to understand.

2 Chronicles 26:16- “But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led

to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.”

Psalm 10:4- “In their pride the wicked do not seek him; in all their thoughts there is no room for God.”

Proverbs 13:10- “Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”

Proverbs 16:18- “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Just in these 4 verses, we see that pride can keep us from God, can bring about strife, and can lead to our downfall./ For Uzziah, his pride led him to enter the temple to burn incense on the altar. This was in direct opposition to God, who had made it clear that only the high priest was to enter the temple to do this. In acting in this way, Uzziah was making a statement that he didn’t need to follow God’s directives. Uzziah’s pride made him think he was above all laws, even God’s.

God desires for us to be mindful of all. EXAMPLE- There is a story of a college math teacher who gave his class a pop quiz one day. The students seemed to do well on the exam until they got to the last question, which asked: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" One by one they looked up at the professor wondering if this was a joke. Nobody could answer the last question correctly. Sensing what everyone was thinking, the professor stopped the exam for a moment and said to the class: "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say ‘hello.’” After that, many learned that her name was Dorothy.

In the Psalm I read, we are told that our pride can make it so that there is no room for God. That is because pride causes us to lift ourselves up, and in doing this we become full of ourselves. You have probably met people like this; people who are full of themselves. They are not fun to be around, and they usually have no room for anyone or anything else in their lives.

On top of this, pride can bring about strife. Whenever pride is exhibited, it causes people to treat others unjustly and unfairly. This brings about strife in relationships, and groups, and even in churches.

God hates pride, because pride does not bring about God’s will!

II. A Lying Tongue-

The second thing we are told that God hates is lying. When someone lies,

they become untrustworthy. When someone lies, they lose people’s respect. As followers of God, God wants us to be respected and trusted by others.

You are probably familiar with the Aesop fable “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.”

EXAMPLE- There once was a shepherd boy who was bored as he sat on the hillside watching the village sheep. To amuse himself he took a great breath and sang out, "Wolf! Wolf! The Wolf is chasing the sheep!" The villagers came running up the hill to help the boy drive the wolf away. But when they arrived at the top of the hill, they found no wolf. The boy laughed at the sight of their angry faces. "Don't cry 'wolf', shepherd boy," said the villagers, "when there's no wolf!" They went grumbling back down the hill…….Later, the boy sang out again, "Wolf! Wolf! The wolf is chasing the sheep!" To his naughty delight, he watched the villagers run up the hill to help him drive the wolf away. When the villagers saw no wolf they sternly said, "Save your frightened song for when there is really something wrong! Don't cry 'wolf' when there is NO wolf!"….. But the boy just grinned and watched them go grumbling down the hill once more. Later, he saw a REAL wolf prowling about his flock. Alarmed, he leaped to his feet and sang out as loudly as he could, "Wolf! Wolf!" But the villagers thought he was trying to fool them again, and so they didn't come. At sunset, everyone wondered why the shepherd boy hadn't returned to the village with their sheep. They went up the hill to find the boy. They found him weeping. "There really was a wolf here! The flock has scattered! I cried out, "Wolf!" Why didn't you come?"

An old man tried to comfort the boy as they walked back to the village.

"We'll help you look for the lost sheep in the morning," he said, putting his arm around the youth, "Nobody believes a liar...even when he is telling the truth!"

Powerful words: NOBODY BELIEVES A LIAR, EVEN

WHEN HE IS TELLING THE TRUTH!

III. Shedding Innocent Blood- (Matthew 5:21-22; James 1:20)

The next thing that God hates is “hands that shed innocent blood.” Now, this

is like the sixth commandment which says “You shall not murder.” And with this statement, we can think that we are free from having it as a part of our lives. But remember how Jesus took it a step further, when He said in Matthew 5:21-22, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.'”/ What Jesus is telling us is that anger that cannot be overcome or forgotten, is wrong. Why? Because as we are told in James 1:20, “The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” God is love, and desires for us to love all and to be able to respond in love. When we have anger towards another (not their actions, but them as a person), we cannot do the work of God, and we do not exhibit the presence of God.

This anger can lead us to sin. We have to put it aside and not desire wrong against another or revenge against another. This is not easy, but it is possible. EX. A number of years ago there was a number of students killed at Columbine high school, in Littleton, Colorado. After this happened, Darrell Scott, a father of 2 victims of the shooting, came before the House Judiciary Committee in the U. S. House of Representatives. This is what he said: “Since the dawn of creation there has been both good and evil in the heart of men and of women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher and the other children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers. The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart. In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter’s death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent. I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy – it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of that blame lies here in this room. Much of that blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that express my feelings best. This was written way before I knew l would be speaking here today.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs Your words are empty air. You've stripped away our heritage. You've outlawed simple prayer. Now gunshots fill our classrooms. And precious children die. You seek for answers everywhere. And ask the question "WHY"? You regulate restrictive laws. Through legislative creed. And yet you fail to understand. That God is what we need!

Men and women are three part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and
spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our makeup, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc.
We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been
stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our OWN hearts. Political posturing and restrictive legislation is not the answers….We do need more religion….We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God…..To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA - I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before you cast the first stone!”

IV. A Wicked Heart- (Ecclesiastes 8:11-12)

In our world, we would like it to be perfect, in that when we do good we are

rewarded for it, and when we do evil there is a just punishment. But this is not how it always is. Criminals get away with doing wrong. Evil people become rich and powerful through unjust means. Those who do good, don’t always prosper. As we are told in Ecclesiastes 8:11-12, “When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong. Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God.”

In the long run, those who fear God and seek God, will have a good heart, and will ultimately live a much better life. But even more, when we die and come before God, in heaven, we will have a blessed eternity.

V. Running to Evil-

Which leads us to the next thing that God hates, and that is those who run to

evil. There is much evil in our world. And not all evil is evident. It is not just the evil people who run to evil. Those who are good can be led to evil as well. We can see good, God fearing people,+ run to evil. People who get caught up in adultery; people who get caught up in gambling; people who get caught up in drugs or alcohol; people who get caught up in the “I want it all” lifestyle.

In fact, in the Bible, evil is anything that goes against the laws and the will of God. Our world is more prone to running to evil than we realize. We often don’t honor God with our decisions and our choices. We are more worldly than we could possibly imagine. This has happened slowly. Satan has gotten us to buy into so many aspects of the world, that we don’t realize the ways we have forsaken God.

The Russian author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once said: “If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?” Until we realize that we are prone to run to evil, because of the sinful nature within us, we will not be able to avoid the evil that bids us to come!

VI. Testifying Falsely- (Ephesians 4:29)

Next we come to “testifying falsely.” When someone goes into a court to

testify, they are asked these words: “Will you tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” Why are they asked this? Because the design of a trial is to find out the truth. If someone lies, it negatively affects the whole process. On top of this, it can cause an innocent person to go to jail, or can free someone who is guilty.

But if you think about it for a moment, why should we even have to be asked this? It is because people are so willing to give a false testimony, especially if it will help them to get their desired outcome. We are more concerned with what we want, than with telling the truth!

This happens in every day conversation as well. How often does someone say something about another person, regardless of whether they know it to be true? More times than you or I can count. People are so willing to gossip about another without any regards to the truth. And when this is done, the damage done to another person’s reputation is very harmful.

Shame on us for being willing to do this!! God hates a false testimony, because it can do terrible harm to another person. It is in essence a way to kill a person’s image and reputation. As we are told in Ephesians 4:29- “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, except that which is good for edification, according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.” And I would add, grace to God’s ears as well.

VII. Sowing Discord- (Matthew 5:9)

How many relationships have been destroyed because of a person

coming in between 2 others? Obviously I could not know the answer to that question, but I’m sure the answer is huge. This is why God even mentions this idea of “sowing discord” in the list of the seven deadly sins; the list of things that God hates. If it were not a great problem, it would not have made the list.

The issue here is like the issue of so many other things, and that is that we can sow discord without even realizing we are doing it. Have you ever been hurt by another person, and then went to someone else and shared your feelings of anger in regards to them? But the problem with that, is that we tell the story from our own myopic view. Meaning, that we only tell our side, from our point of view. And in doing this we often color this other person’s perception against the person with whom we are angry.

This not only doesn’t bring peace to the situation, but in fact, creates more discord, and makes it all the more difficult for peace to be found. God is a God of peace, and does not wish for us to create any more unrest than already exists in the world. As we are told in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Notice it doesn’t call those who create discord “children of God,” but those who seek to make peace.

Conclusion: Now this is a long list, and I know that I haven’t gone in depth with any of them. But the point I am trying to make to us today, is that God has made a list of things He hates to see in His people. On this list are several things that you and I do at times. What we need to do is to make a commitment to looking at each of these characteristics (pride, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a wicked heart, feet that run to evil, testifying falsely, and one who sows discord), and look into our hearts to see where we might be missing the mark. THEN, ask God to give you the wisdom and the strength to overcome this issue. Psalm 139:23-24 gives us a good challenge: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Don’t leave here today thinking none of this applies to you. We all need to let God search our hearts and point out to us where He needs to work. Wisdom comes from giving ourselves fully in reverence to God. Let it start with giving God the opportunity to point us in the right direction, and lead us in the right behavior. Amen.