TEXT: Proverbs 6:16-19

SUBJECT: Exposition of Proverbs #12: The 7 Deadly Sins

This paragraph has left more than a few believers deeply disturbed. Its God is very unlike the One to whom they've grown accustomed. Here is a God who "hates"; a God who finds some things "abominable". Yet these words are no less inspired than John 3:16. They must be equally believed. And equally loved. May God make these words a treasure to our souls, for Christ's sake. Amen.

Solomon begins with the use of two surprising and violent terms, v.16: "These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him".

According to The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, the word, "hate" means just that: "It expresses an...attitude toward persons and things which are opposed, detested, despised, and with which one wishes to have no contact or relationship. It is, therefore, the opposite of love. Whereas love draws and unites, hate separates and keeps distant. The hated persons are considered foes...and considered odious, utterly unappealing". Strong words, but quite consistent with the use of "hate" in the Old Testament Scriptures.

The second word is "abomination". It describes a thing that is "abhorred, loathed, detested, and excluded" says the same book. It is applied to idolatry, prostitution, murder, and other repulsive acts.

Some believers feel funny about attributing hate to God; the prophets don't. They recognize that hate, so far from detracting from His holiness, is--in fact--necessary to it. Nor does God's hate diminish His love in the least. If He loves men, He must hate the sins that so disfigure them. In short, we're not called upon to apologize for God's character, but to faithfully proclaim it.

The God who "hates" is not an old crank, Who finds everything objectionable, but is quite discriminating. Seven things stand out, vv.17-19: "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 the brethren".

Topping the list is "a proud look". "Uplifted eyes" in the Hebrew. It describes the sort of person who looks down on others; he's condescending. Why? Because he thinks himself better than others. Like the Pharisee praying in the Temple, he thanks God he "is not as other men are". He's holier than others; he knows more, he does more, he feels more than his brethren. He's quite proud of himself as a result of his superiority.

Are some people holier than others? Yes. Smarter? Of course. If so, why shouldn't they think more highly of themselves than of others? Here's why: "Who made you to differ from one another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now, if you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (cf.I Corinthians 4:7).

Nothing you have has come to you as a result of personal worth or effort. Everything is a gift; and more: Everything is a gift of grace. Do you have money? If so, Who gave you the "power to get wealth"? Do you have a happy marriage? If so, Who provided the love?

If all things are "of Him and through Him and to Him", then every "proud look" must be an abomination to God.

The second item is "a lying tongue". To lie is to deceive with intent. It includes shading the truth, deleting key facts, and leaving a false impression. Its source is the devil "who was a liar from the beginning and the father of lies". Lying is sometimes planned, but more often occurs in moments of passion. A husband and wife are arguing--both are at fault--but the wife exaggerates her husband's wrong while minimizing her own. What is this but lying? Go back to the quarrelling couple: One of them finally gives in and offers an apology: "I'm sorry I treated you so badly...but if you hadn't done such and such..." There's no sorrow at all. This is an accusation masquerading as an apology. In other words, a lie. Flattery is another "innocent" lie. We tell people what they want to hear in order to get something from them...including their approval.

What's wrong with a strategic lie every now and then? It dissolves trust which is the bond of brotherly love. To put it another way, lying creates suspicion and mistrust which are death to a family, a church, or a community. No wonder God finds "a lying tongue" so hateful.

Third on the list is "hands that shed innocent blood". Murder, mayhem, assault and battery. These crimes are on the rise; check the police blotter for ample evidence. As of yet, however, they are not common within most churches. But the attitudes that lie behind the "bloody hands" are. I think of wrath, bitterness, envy, pitilessness, and so on. Our Lord Jesus equated bad attitudes with murder. What He has joined together, we mustn't put asunder. How devilish these attitudes are! God is the Giver of Life; Satan has "power over death". When we resent others or wish them ill, whose side are we on? Plainly, we're doing the work of the devil. Therefore, "hands that shed innocent blood" must be abhorrent to God.

Next is "a heart that devises wicked plans". This stands for the kind of person who plots evil. He's often unemotional and calculating. He's the man who "Doesn't get mad, but gets even". Hamaan was such a man, plotting the destruction of the Jewish people. The Patriarchs were like him: looking for a chance to do in Joseph, "the dreamer". If impulsive sins are hateful to God (and they are) how much worse are those that are planned?

Fifthly, we have "feet that are swift in running to evil". The key word is "swift". The man is eager to do mischief. As soon as the opportunity presents itself, he jumps on it. The evil seems to be social in nature; its the kind that hurts other people. The best example I know of is the person who's anxious to hear gossip--who savors a bad report. How can this eagerness be anything but an "abomination" to the LORD?

The last two examples break the pattern; whereas the first five speak of "things", numbers six and seven speak of persons. We mustn't apologize for God's Word; we mustn't blunt its force. People who continue in these evil ways will one day feel the infinite hatred of God. They are:

"A false witness who speaks lies". How does this differ from "a lying tongue"? In this way: "a lying tongue" stands for deceit in general; "a false witness" describes someone who lies in court to either justify the guilty or to condemn the innocent. This he does for personal gain and without regard for the welfare of others. He's the selfish man who's willing to trample on others to get his way. To his way of thinking, people don't matter.

Finally, there is "One who sows discord among the brethren". He is the trouble-maker. Charles Bridges issues a warning to such people:

The key line is "mistaking prejudice for principle". Many believers think it is their duty to separate from other believers who do not agree with them on nearly everything. This is a prejudice, not a principle. We must "endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" by receiving those whom Christ receives and loving them because they are loved by Christ. If we're to do so, we must do something else: "Mark those who cause divisions...and avoid them".

God the Father willed the unity of His people; the Lord Jesus died to achieve it; the Spirit is poured out to bring it to reality. To "sow discord among the brethren", therefore, is to undo what the Lord wants done. It is not a trifle; it is rebellion. No wonder God "hates" such people.

The answer is simple: These things directly oppose the character and work of Jesus Christ. Was His a "proud look"? No. He was "meek and lowly of heart". Was His a "lying tongue"? It was not; He is "the truth". Did His "hands shed innocent blood"? They did not; "the Son of Man came, not to destroy men's life but to save them". Did His "heart devise wicked plans"? No, but "loved his neighbor as himself". Were His feet "swift in running to evil"? No, He found all evil abhorrent. Was He a "False witness"? A "Sower of discord"? No one who has read the Gospels can believe that.

Ambrose of Milan wrote of Him:

"The Father imaged in the Son".

These things are hateful to God, therefore, because they contradict His Holy character at every point and cast aspersion upon His Only Begotten Son. He finds them hateful and abominable. We should too.

But--a word to the wise--Let's be sure we hate them as much in ourselves as we do in others. Let's begin looking for them in our own hearts before turning outward. And, when we see them in others (as we no doubt will), let us "Restore such people in the spirit of meekness, considering ourselves lest we also be tempted".

In sum: "You who love the LORD, hate evil".