A Day-by-day devotional

April 23, 2023

What God hates

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Psalms 10-15

Scripture of the Day: Proverbs 6:16-19

The beginning of our passage reading for today might seem confusing at first, with the statement: “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to Him..“ (Proverbs 6:16). Then it goes on to list seven things.

This is a common pattern in Hebrew literature. Referencing a number, followed by another number sometimes means that the last item summarizes all that was mentioned prior.

To hate means to dislike. These verses therefore show us what the Lord does not like. These are the things that disgusts Him. Well, God definitely hates all kinds of sin. Hence, the list could not be in anyway, exhaustive. Nonetheless, for these seven items to be included in the list would have to make us aware that these are things we need to run away from as much as we can, if we are to please God.

Proud eyes, a lying tongue, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that plans evil, feet that run to trouble, a false witness, and someone who starts disagreements amongst others make it to the list. Here we see how the first five mentions a part of the body and a specific sin tied to that part. For instance, we have the tongue. The tongue manifests the sin. However, the source of the sin is not the tongue in itself, but the mind, heart and soul of the person who thought of and planned it.

As followers of Christ, we must be able to recognize that the manifest sins start inwardly in the mind and heart. They are conceived there before they are birthed as sin. God hates it when we plan evil. We should also take note how lying is mentioned twice – a lying tongue and bearing false witness. The devil is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). When one fabricates statements, therefore, one follows the devil outright.

If we want to please the Lord, we have to take steps to not do that which He hates. It would be an abomination to Him!

Reflection: What steps do you take to not fall into doing the things that God hates?

Prayer: Father, seal my thoughts and heart with meditations of you. Instead of contemplating evil, hatred, rage or revenge, help me be filled with love and forgiveness instead. Amen.