A Love – Hate Relationship

by Micky Galloway

Proverbs 6:16-19 states, “There are six things which Jehovah hateth; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood; A heart that deviseth wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief, A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.” This construction is a numerical construction. This is not an exhaustive list of the things which God hates. “Seven” is not intended to exclude all other sins. However, these are certainly representative of those things which God hates.

“God is love” (I John 4:8), how is it these verses inform us that there are certain things which God hates? True love cannot exist in the absence of hate! For example if there are certain things which God loves, then He has to hate the converse of those things. Speaking of the Son, the Hebrew writer said, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; And the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity” (Hebrews 1:8-9). Therefore, love for “righteousness” makes it impossible to be indifferent about “iniquity” or lawlessness.

The things which God hates, as cited in these verses, involve five parts of the body; the eyes, the tongue, the hands, the heart (or mind), and the feet. Just as the body and its members can be used as instruments of unrighteousness (as in these verses); they can also be used as “instruments of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:13). Note that the things described here “are an abomination unto him.”

“Haughty eyes,” “A proud look” (NKJV) (Proverbs 6:17). Pride is listed first in this catalog of sins, and rightly so for it is at the root of all disobedience and rebellion against God. The wisdom writer said, “The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, And the perverse mouth, do I hate” (Proverbs 8:13). Pride may spring from many sources – a feeling of superiority in one’s looks, physical form or strength, education, money, family background, etc. It’s the look that says “I’m important,” or “I’m indispensable,” “I’m smarter than you are,” etc. It’s the look that could describe the words and actions of Nebuchadnezzar. “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling-place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30). Consider also the attitude of Simon in Luke 7:46, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner.” (“Better than thou” attitude illustrated).

“A lying tongue” (Proverbs 6:17). A lying tongue is involved in the willful perversion of truth. Lying is especially abominable in the eyes of God. Note that hearing, believing, and obeying a lie brought about the fall of man (Genesis 3:1-6). The wisdom writer went on to say, “The lip of truth shall be established for ever; But a lying tongue is but for a moment” (Proverbs 12:19; cf. Psalms 5:6; Psalms 120:2; Proverbs 12:19; Hosea 4:1-3; Acts 5:1-11; Ephesians 4:25; Revelation 21:8, 27). Lying is so popular in the political world, the business world and even in religion. Isaiah described the attitude of the people when they expressed to the prophets, “Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isaiah 30:10). Of course they found many prophets all too accommodating, “Behold, I am against them that prophesy lying dreams, saith Jehovah, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I sent them not, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, saith Jehovah.” (Jeremiah 23:32).

“Hands that shed innocent blood” (Proverbs 6:17). That certainly includes murder (Exodus 20:13; Genesis 9:6). That includes Manasseh when he offered his son to the idol, Molech, “And he made his son to pass through the fire.” “Surely at the commandment of Jehovah came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did, and also for the innocent blood that he shed; for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood: and Jehovah would not pardon” (II Kings 21:6; 24:3-4). Think of the murders committed daily in America and think of the number of babies aborted each day in America! In the USA, since January 1, 2018 there have (at the time of this writing) been 473,955 babies aborted. I’m told that twenty-two percent of all pregnancies in the USA (excluding miscarriages) end in abortion. God refused to pardon the shedding of innocent blood in Jerusalem; will He bless America for doing the same? Interesting to note in view of current events, “If we found on Mars what we find in the womb, there would be no doubt life was discovered” (Garrett Kell © 2008-2018 Romans322.com).

“A heart that devises wicked purposes” (Proverbs 6:18). To “plot” or “devise” translates haraš, “to plow,” from which comes the idea of plans being thought up or devised as furrows in a field are plowed (Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament). This is vicious scheming that could include fabricated accusations used to destroy a person. This sin was prominent before the flood (Genesis 6:5). Paul uses a similar expression in Romans 1:30, “inventors of evil things.” Note: “Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; But to the counsellors of peace is joy” (Proverbs 12:20). “Do they not err that devise evil? But mercy and truth (shall be to) them that devise good” (Proverbs 14:22).

“Feet that are swift in running to mischief” (Proverbs 6:18). They not only do mischief, but they do it eagerly! This certainly includes the tendency to follow the mob mentality. God does not want us to follow a multitude to do evil (Exodus 23:2). There are a host of mischievous activities included in this. It can also include going to places where a Christian has no right to be - drug activities, drinking parties, entertainment which involve immodesty, lewdness, lasciviousness, etc.

“A false witness that uttereth lies” (Proverbs 6:19). Lying is again mentioned in this same setting (Note: verse 17. cf. Proverbs 14:5, 25; 19:5, 9). By this time the lying seems to take on the form of perjury, an advanced form of lying. What greater insult to God (to whom in an oath appeal is made) or greater injury to our neighbor than to knowingly give a false testimony?

“He that soweth discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:19). This refers to the one whose words and/or actions destroy the harmony and the unity of those who ought to live and work together in peace. God wants His children to be at peace one with another (cf. Psalms 133:1; Ephesians 4:1-3; Colossians 3:15; Romans 14:17). Jesus died to make it possible for both Jews and Gentiles to be at peace with God and with one another (cf. Ephesians 2:14-16).

Even though Proverbs was written around 3,000 years ago, the wisdom contained in this book is as modern as tomorrow. The principles it sets forth, if applied, can enable a person to be successful in any legitimate enterprise, or in any legitimate human relationship.