7 things the Lord hates
Our lesson this morning comes from the book of Proverbs
Proverbs 6:16 These
six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to
Him: 17 A proud look, A lying
tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18
A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks
lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
We learn from this
passage that not only does God have great love for certain things he also hates
certain things. Now the word hate in this context also carries the meaning to
detest or to abhor those things which are abominable. The word abominable means
a disgusting thing or a scheme that that brings about evil. These things that
God hates comes from persons heart. Notice Jesus says in,
Matthew
If we don’t allow God’s
word to be our guide then we will quickly find ourselves coming up with all
kind of ideas that will oppose Gods will making us become God enemy. That is
why it is imperative that we study Gods word and try to be Christians that a
posses a pure heart. Do remember what Jesus said on the sermon on the mount, he
said,
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are
the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
We can only accomplish
this if we try our best to live our life according to God’s word. We can also
see the flip side of this. If we don’t have a pure heart if we are not living
our life according to God’s word then we shall not see God which means we will
not enter into heaven. So as we examine these 7 things that God hates this
morning, if you find that you are involved in anyone of these things then you
need to make a change because if God hates it you surely will not see heaven.
A proud look
This describes a person
who thinks that there all that and then some. We would describe this person a know-it-all or persons who thinks
they are better than everyone else. We might also describe this person a being
arrogant or haughty. I am sure that everyone in here has ran across a person
like this. Let give you some examples of what this kind of person does. Because
of the their pride they will argue with you until their blue in face even if
they are wrong and been proven wrong because they don’t to admit that someone
else could possibly be right. Another Characteristic of this type of person is
one who constantly tries to one-up everyone. Let say you tell this person that
you run a mile every day. Well not wanting to be outdone weather it is true or
not they will say or really well I run 2
miles a day. It doesn’t matter if you tell them about what you kids did or what
kind of vacation you went on this person kid or vacation was better according
to them. These kind of people will belittle others to make themselves fell
superior.
We need to keep in mind
that God hates this kind of attitude and this attitude is not spoken well of in
the scriptures. Look at Paul tells Timothy in,
2 Timothy 3:1 But know
this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of
themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy, 3
unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of
good, 4 traitors, headstrong,
haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but
denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who
creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with
sins, led away by various lusts, 7
always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Not
only does Paul warn Timothy and us about people who have the haughty attitude
he informs us a Christians to turn away from such people and goes on to say
that because of haughtiness there always learning but are never able to come to
the knowledge of the truth. You see whenever you think you know it all it
becomes impossible to teach you anything because you are so wrapped up in
yourself. While having this attitude might make you feel good on the inside
this feeling will only be temporary and it is not worth the cost of being opposed
to God.
Once
again Paul warns Timothy and describes the characteristics of a proud person
1 Timothy 6:3 If
anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the
words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with
godliness, 4 he is proud,
knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from
which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of
corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means
of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
A
person who is engaged in the sin will do whatever they can to be right even if
they are very wrong.
The
Bible also seems to imply that this haughty attitude is prevalent in those who
are rich.
1 Timothy 6:17 Command
those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in
uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to
enjoy. 18 Let them do good,
that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a
good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
The
reason why Paul specifically points out the rich is because a lot of times
those who are wealthy develop the attitude that the are better than others. It
easy for wealth to go to you head and cause you to look down on the less
fortunate. This has always been a problem throughout history. I can’t even
begin to count the movies and books that have told the story of a rich daughter
falling in love with a poor man and how
the daughter family didn’t think that
the poor man was worthy to marry their daughter because he didn’t have the
money that they did. So we must be careful as Christians not to allow our
material possession to cause have a proud look.
Now
look at what James says about a proud person,
James 4:6 "God resists the proud, But gives grace
to the humble."
So if you are arrogant or
a know-it-all God is going to resist you and will not give you his saving grace
because he will only give it to humble which is the opposite attitude of a
proud look. When the day of judgment comes and we must all stand before God
those who have had this arrogant attitude it will be taken away.
Isaiah
Now what we have examined the horrible consequences of this sin let now turn our attention to what the Bible says about combating this sin.
Proverbs
If we are going to be
pleasing to God we must be like and hate those things that he hates and loves
those things that he loves. The best way to combat any sin is to learn to hate
it because when you hate something you cant stand it and you don’t want to have
any part of it. So, not only are we to learn how love more we must also learn
how to hate more. We need to keep in mind that we are hating sin and the evil
but not the actual person.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride
goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better to be of a humble spirit
with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
We
learn from this that a Christian must do their best to be humble to God and to
others and this will keep you from become prideful or arrogant or thinking that
you are better than others. To help motivate us to be humble we need to
remember what James said. He said God resist the proud but gives grace to the
humble. So, if we want to see heaven it important that we develop humility. I
believe Paul describes a Christians Humility best in,
Philippians 2:1
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love,
if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being
like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one
mind. 3 Let nothing be
done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than himself. 4
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the
interests of others. 5 Let
this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God,
did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no
reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness
of men. 8 And being found in
appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death,
even the death of the cross. 9
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above
every name,
If anyone had right to be proud it would have been Jesus after all he was deity yet even he humbled himself before God and said the he came to the earth to serve and not to be served. As Christians we need to heart what Paul has said in this verse and its important that we follow Christ example and be humble.
Lying tongue
Lying is a false statement that is made with the intention of deceiving another. Today lying is very big problem within the church and within society. There are several reason why lying has become so popular today in our society. Just turn on your TV and begin to look at some the most popular shows that we have. Take for instance the show Survivor. If want to make it to the end and win the million dollars you almost have to lie or deceive someone to reach your goal. Of course this is not the only one Big brother promotes the same thing. There also show called fact or fiction and the writers make up false stories along with those that are based on fact and at the end of the show you are suppose to see if you guessed correction which one true and which one was a lie. Not only does TV promote so does the media. Gossip columns and magazines like the National Inquire are know to lie and lie some more and people just eat it up. It because of the media weather in paper or TV has shaped a generation who thinks that lying is just a part of everyday life.
Even without the Medias influence some find so much easier to tell a little lie than to tell the truth. Children have a tendency to lie when they think they can get themselves out of trouble. Adults are tempted to lie when they think they can avoid a confrontation and especially when comes to trying to stay out of trouble themselves. While telling a lie might be easy to do it is certainly is not without its consequences. When think about this I am always reminded of what happened to this husband and wife because of their lying lips in,
Acts 5:1 But a
certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of
the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain
part and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your
heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the
land for yourself? 4
"While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not
in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have
not lied to men but to God." 5
Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great
fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and
wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. 7 Now it was about three hours
later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her,
"Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" She said, "Yes,
for so much." 9 Then
Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the
Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are
at the door, and they will carry you out." 10 Then immediately she fell down
at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her
dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So great fear came upon all the
church and upon all who heard these things.
These two became a great
example of how serious God takes the sin of lying. While he doesn’t immediately
kill people today for lying there are far greater consequence that we will face
if continue in this sin.
Revelation 21:8
"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which
burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
So even if you don’t see
any harm in your little lies surely you can see from this passage that if you
continue in you little white lies you find yourself at home in pits of hell
with all the other sinners mentioned in the text. Friends we need to work on
this sin and not make light. Its important that we remember what Jesus about
the origin of lying.
John
So if you continue in the
sin of lying we are in essence making the devil our father. Though the devil would love this as Christian we want to start far away from the devil and
not ever try to be deceitful. Peter gives us great advice on how we put the sin
of lying behind us.
1 Peter 2:1
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil
speaking, 2 as newborn babes,
desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
You see we put lying away
by desiring the word of God and making it apart of everyday life and when we do
this we will grow stronger and it will because easier for us to resist the
temptation of lying. We will be encouraged to tell the truth when we see that
the 1st century Christian was willing to stand on the truth even
unto death when they could of easily lied and said they didn’t believe Christ. So
let always try not commit the sin that God hates.
Hands that shed innocent Blood
This is talking about
murder or taking the life of another who is innocent. Again, this something
that we see over and over again today in many different ways. In the short time
I have been on this earth I have known
of many senseless murders that have taken place. Some murder themselves because
they don’t fell life is worth living anymore. I have known of many married
couples where the man or the women get so made at their mate because they
either are seeing someone else or they think their seeing someone else and they
will get a gun and shoot their mate and many times turn around and shoot
themselves. Because of Jealousy or uncontrolled angry many have committed the
sin that God hates.
Another example we see
senseless murder can be found in the news just about every night. Terrorist who
have been fooled into thinking that if they kill those who hold a different
religion that they will go to paradise. So these people will strap on bombs or
drive a car full of bombs and kill both themselves and the innocent victims
around them. Some of these people just don’t seem to have any regard for life.
We have several biblical examples of those who shed innocent blood. Our first
example comes from,
Genesis 4:3 And in
the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit
of the ground to the LORD. 4
Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD
respected Abel and his offering, 5
but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his
countenance fell. 6 So the
LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance
fallen? 7 "If you do
well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the
door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." 8 Now Cain talked with Abel his
brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up
against Abel his brother and killed him.
9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your
brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's
keeper?" 10 And He said,
"What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me
from the ground. 11 "So
now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive
your brother's blood from your hand. 12
"When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A
fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth."
This murder was caused by
Cain’s jealousy. Instead of being happy for his brother all he could think
about was himself and so he murdered is brother and he had to pay for
consequence of this sin. He now longer have success at growing food and he
would have to wander the earth without a place to call his home.
Sometimes those who stand
for the truth of God will be murdered. We see this in the instance when Stephen
grabbed up and put on the defense for what he believed in. The bible describes
Stephens innocence by describing his face as looking like an angel. Stephen
gave his defense and then at the end it became ugly as pick up in,
Acts
This murder came from
pure hatred for what Stephen stood for and is example to us that we must stand
on the truth even in the face of death.
We could also look at King Herod and how he had all those babies 2 years and under killed because he felt his power as a king was threatened or how David had Uriah killed because he was trying to cover up his adulterous affair with Bathsheba.
But out of all the reason for murder the one that disgusts
me the most is the killing of unborn children. In 54 countries which makes up
61 % of the world population abortion is legal in the other 97 countries it is
illegal. It is estimated that 46million babies are killed each year. That’s
126,000 abortions every single day. In the
Anyway you look at murder is ugly and God hates it. So as Christians we need to do our best to never to get to point in our life where we shed innocent blood.
A heart that devises
wicked plans.
This describes a person who has wicked heart who is always thinking and planning something evil. I knew several people like this back when I was in High School. These people were usually labeled as thugs and they are always planning and plotting something horrible to do to another student or teacher so that they would have the appearance of being bad. Let face it, some people are just rotten to the bone. Again, we have several examples of people like this in the Bible.
Our first example comes
the story of Ahab and Jezebel. Ahab wanted this particular vineyard but Naboth
would not sell it to him. But were about to find out just our wicked Jezebel
is. Lets pick up the story in,
1 Kings 21:4
So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which
Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, "I will not give
you the inheritance of my fathers." And he lay down on his bed, and turned
away his face, and would eat no food. 5
But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, "Why is your spirit so
sullen that you eat no food?" 6
He said to her, "Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to
him, 'Give me your vineyard for money; or else, if it pleases you, I will give
you another vineyard for it.' And he answered, 'I will not give you my
vineyard.' " 7 Then
Jezebel his wife said to him, "You now exercise authority over
As the story goes on this poor man is murdered all because Jezebel wanted to satisfy her husband greed. But her plotting and scheming didn’t go unnoticed by God because he predicted the she would be eaten by dogs and that exactly what happened to her she fell to her death and before they could get to her body the dogs came and ate her up.
There a lot of example in the Bible of this kind of
behavior. Think about Joseph and how his brother could stand him because their
father loved him more and gave that coat of many colors. So the plotted and the
schemed about taking him out but instead sold him in to slavery which worked
out in the end to save all the children of
In the Book of Daniel under King Nebuchadnezzar Meshack, Shadrack and Abednego had been put into positions of power because of Daniel ability to interpret dreams. The people of Babylon didn’t like this so they plotted and schemed on how they could take these men out and found their opportunity when the kind made a idol and told the people to bow down to it. Because the 3 men would not do it so they quickly pointed this out to the king and they soon found themselves in the fiery furnace but God protected them from this evil plan.
The same thing happened to Daniel under King Darius. The people didn’t like that he power and so they plotted and schemed and convinced the king to sign that decree that no one could pray to another man or God and of course prayed anyway and found himself thrown into lions den again God protected him. As we move to the NT we find the Jews continual plotting against Jesus and also the wicked plan of Judas to betray our lord and master. All of these are great examples of those who were devising wicked plans the very sin that God hates.
The way we as Christians can avoid entangling ourselves in this is sin is to keep mind focused on God and making heaven our goal. The more time we spend on thinking of how to help others and how we can be greater servants of God the less time we will have for devising evil plans.
Feet that are swift
in running to evil
This describes those who eager to do wrong and will go out of their way to run to evil. Again, I recall back to when I wan in high school I knew of a lot of kids who rebelled against their parents and they would go do everything wrong that they could because their parents told them not to. I knew one young man that would sneak out of his house and go and drinking feast. Well, one night he got so drunk that he climbed the water tower and then wouldn’t come down and the police and the firemen had to help him down.
Another aspect that could be included in this is gossip. Again, thanks to our media our society had been trained into spreading gossip without finding out if what they are spreading is true. Some people can’t hardly wait to tell someone about the latest gossip they have heard. But, as Christians we must watch ourselves and make sure that we are not spreading lies. Even if someone tells you something that is true you still need ask yourself is there really any need for me to tell this to someone else. I have one Biblical example that shows a man literally running toward evil. It has to do with what happens after Naaman is cured from his leprosy.
2 Kings 5:20 But
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, "Look, my master has
spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought;
but as the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from
him." 21 So Gehazi
pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from the
chariot to meet him, and said, "Is all well?" 22 And he said, "All is well.
My master has sent me, saying, 'Indeed, just now two young men of the sons of
the prophets have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim. Please give them a
talent of silver and two changes of garments.' " 23 So Naaman said, "Please,
take two talents." And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in
two bags, with two changes of garments, and handed them to two of his servants;
and they carried them on ahead of him. 24
When he came to the citadel, he took them from their hand, and stored them away
in the house; then he let the men go, and they departed. 25 Now he went in and stood before
his master. Elisha said to him, "Where did you go, Gehazi?" And he
said, "Your servant did not go anywhere." 26 Then he said to him, "Did
not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you?
Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and
vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants? 27 "Therefore the leprosy of
Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever." And he went out
from his presence leprous, as white as snow.
Gehazi
was so eager to deceive and make a quick buck that he ran after Naaman to
pursue his evil. As Christians we have to be very careful that we don’t find
ourselves being like Gehazi and pursuing after evil things.
Our
last example comes from Paul’s first missionary journey when he encounters a
evil sorcerer.
Acts 13:6 Now
when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer,
a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul,
Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and
sought to hear the word of God. 8
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking
to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the
Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10
and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the
devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the
straight ways of the Lord? 11
"And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall
be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And immediately a dark mist fell
on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
Paul makes it clear that
those who are swift to run to evil are sons of the devil and enemy to God. The
way to oppose this sin is easy, simply pursue righteousness instead of evil.
A false
witness who speaks lies
I have always found it
interesting that two of the sins that
God hates has to do with lying. In this
instance it’s referring to someone who gives a false report against another.
This another one those sins that our society has no problems with. In fact
Proverbs 19:5 A false witness will not go unpunished, And
he who speaks lies will not escape.
Our
first biblical example of a false witness comes from Jesus illegal trial at
night by the Jews.
Mark
Jesus
had not done anything wrong so the false witness had to come forward and make
up stuff but as you can see their lies did not match showing them to be false
witnesses which was direct violation of the 10 commandments but no one seemed
to care about that because their focus was
on taking Jesus down.
Stephen
the first martyred Christian also had this problem.
Acts 6:11 Then
they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous
words against Moses and God." 12
And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon
him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They also set up false
witnesses who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words
against this holy place and the law; 14
"for we have heard him say that this Jesus of
Again
we see Stephen was innocent yet these false witnesses came forward and lied so
that he would he would be put to death. This also happened Paul several times
as the Jews followed him around stirring up trouble by spreading lies about
what Paul was preaching. Any way you look at it being a false is wrong and God
hates that sin and we should hate it as well.
One who sows discord
among the brethren
This
is describing a person who goes about trying to cause division by creating
strife in a congregation. Basically this is describing trouble makers. If they
find someone they don’t like they will say and do whatever they can to turn the
rest of the congregation against the individual or family and this person is
never satisfied because they will always find something wrong with someone and
will try their best to turn people against them. Another goal of a person like
this is when the don’t agree with what is being taught they will work in the
background and try to find others who listen to them and get them to fight
against the people who will listen to them. Their main goal is push their
particular belief on others and make a huge deal about it even if it is not a
salvation issue. This is very sad when this happens but it does happen.
I
personally know a
Ephesians 5:6 Let no
one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God
comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7
Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Colossians 2:8 Beware
lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the
tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not
according to Christ.
Paul
are warns Timothy that you should avoid getting into to petty arguments that
have nothing to do with your salvation.
1 Timothy
The Bible teaches us that
we are not allow these type of people to remain in congregation if the continue
you to do this.
Romans 16:17 Now I
urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to
the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ,
but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the
hearts of the simple.
Paul Titus this,
Titus 3:10 Reject a
divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is
warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
Over
and over again we see the warnings that these type of people exist and they
should not be allowed to have the opportunity to sow discord and to cause
division in a congregation. Notice what Jesus prays for in
John 17:20 "
I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me
through their word; 21
"that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You;
that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
This is one way that we
can battle against this sin. If we are striving to be like minded and our unity
is based upon the word of God is going to be very difficult someone to sow
discord or to cause division. Paul taught this very message to the church at
1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I
plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all
speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that
you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgment. 11 For it has been
declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that
there are contentions among you. 12
Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am
of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of
Christ." 13 Is Christ
divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Paul was pleading with
these Christians not to be divided because Christ is not divided and the way
they were to accomplish that was to be of the same mind speaking the same
things. You see when you have unity based upon the word of God there should not
every be any division.
We have examined 7 things
that Gods hates and if Gods these sins then so should we. We need to realize
that if we are involved in any of these sins then we opposed to God and if we
remain in the sins we will be eternally lost. Also we talked about several ways
that we can keep ourselves from being involved in these different sins. I would
like to finish this lesson by continue on in Proverbs 6 because the writer
gives some great advice on how overcome these 7 sins that God hates.
Proverbs 6:20 My son,
keep your father's command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. 21 Bind them continually upon your
heart; Tie them around your neck. 22
When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when
you awake, they will speak with you.