Eld Ko Swee Chay

Seven Abominable Sins The LORD Hates (Part 1 of 2)

Proverbs 6:16-19 “¹⁶These six things doth the LORD hate; yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ¹⁷A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief. ¹⁹A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

Introduction

There are a number of passages in the Bible stating what the LORD hates, such as Rom 1:22-32, 1 Cor 3:3-5 & 6:9-10, Gal 5:19-21, Eph 5:3-5 and Jude 1:7. The recurring things which the LORD hates are idolatry, prostitution, homosexuality, adultery, fornication, drunkenness etc.  In Proverbs 6:16-19, Solomon listed seven things which are “an abomination” unto the LORD. The word “abomination” is probably the strongest word to express hatred, disgust and abhorrence, something that is extremely offensive or unacceptable that evokes the feeling of intense dislike. The number seven in the Bible often denotes completeness and perfection. The number seven in this portion of the Scriptures not only tells us how many things are on this list that provokes the LORD’s hatred, but it also suggests the thoroughness and intensity with which the LORD hates those sinful things. They are sins exhibited by the members of our body, namely: eyes, tongue, hands, heart and feet. These sins are especially enraging to the LORD because of how they destroy lives and relationships; above all, they destroy the Christian’s witness and testimony for Christ, and tarnish the name of the LORD. The phrases “the LORD hate” and “an abomination unto the LORD” should cause us to guard and control ourselves, and in order not to do these things which the LORD hates, we must hate these things in our own lives. This doesn’t mean that other sins listed in the Bible are less serious. The fact is that the LORD is holy and righteous, and He hates all evil, uncleanness and unrighteousness. Let us consider the seven abominable sins mentioned in Proverbs 6:16-19.

1. The LORD hates a proud look

To be proud is literally to “raise high”. It describes arrogant people who think they know everything and are very good; they overvalue themselves and look down on others; they are boastful of their achievements, unapproachable, self-sufficient, critical of others, quick to judge, and will likely not accept help from others and think they are not in need of God’s grace. “Proud look” literally means “haughty eyes”, showing haughtiness and contempt toward others. A proud look begins with a proud heart. The LORD hates people who are proud in heart and will punish them. Proverbs 21:4 says “An high look, and a proud heart and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.” and Proverbs 16:5 says “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.”

Pride is the first on the list of abominable sins that the LORD hates because it is the cause of many other sins. Pride begins when a person thinks too highly of and only for himself. Pride can creep into a person’s life when he experiences successes in his career, and even in the church ministry he leads; he gives glory to himself instead of giving thanks, praise and glory to God for His grace and mercy.

It was pride that led Lucifer to want to be like the most High, resulting in his fall (Isa 14:12-14). He sinned against God when he was created as a ministering spirit but he wanted to be like God, that is the problem.

Daniel chapter 4 records how God brought a proud king low and restored him after he humbled himself and acknowledged God. King Nebuchadnezzarof Babylon’s heart was lifted up with conceit when Babylon became strong and great. Then he saw a vision in a dream that made him afraid and troubled him. Daniel was called in to interpret the dream after all other wise men of Babylon were unable to provide the interpretation. Daniel told him that the most High was going to bring a terrible punishment upon him because of his inflated ego: “they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and give it to whomsoever he will…. thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.” (Dan 4:25-26). 12 months later, when Nebuchadnezzar said, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” (Dan 4:30); while the word was still in his mouth, it happened just as Daniel had interpreted. After Nebuchadnezzar had been saved he proclaimed, “Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” (Dan 4:37).

Let us take heed of these divine lessons: to know that our lives belong to God, and it is a God-given opportunity, honour and privilege to serve in His ministries. When we are successful in our lives and in our ministries, we must not be proud and have inflated egos and to think that it is by our own abilities and power, but to acknowledge that all success and achievements come from God by His grace, and all praise and glory be given to Him. Always remember, God in His sovereign will can easily take away our jobs, our possessions and our ministries to humble us as He had done to Nebuchadnezzar. “¹¹The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. ¹²For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up: and he shall be brought low.” (Isa 2:11-12). “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” (Pro 29:23).      

Most of us should also know that pride is often the root cause of problems and difficulties in human relationships. Pride often leads to strife, contention and disagreements among people, when we refuse to admit our own mistake and apologize to another person. Pride hurts and even destroys relationship between husbands and wives, parents and children, friends and colleagues, and even fellow brethren in the church. Pride is a serious transgression against God and can cause serious problems in human relationships.  One should also take note that pride keeps a person away from God and obedience to God’s Word. “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” (Ps 10:4).

What is the remedy for “a proud look”?

The Bible teaches us the right way to conduct ourselves, “… in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”(Phi 2: 3)and be humble as “he(Christ)humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Phi 2: 8). God hates a proud look. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” Ask the LORD to put the fear of the LORD in our hearts that we may hate pride, “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13).

2. The LORD hates a lying tongue

The second abominable sin the LORD hates is a lying tongue –falsehood, fraud, boasting, false accusations and gossip; to habitually satisfy one’s ego, to cover up mistake, to get some benefit or gain, to avoid punishment, to mislead or deceive others, for self-preservation and self-promotion. Exaggeration and flatteries are lies also. Lying involves cheating, concealment, deceiving and destruction. God’s Word warns us of the power of the tongue, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue….” (Pro 18:21); and the judgement on liars, “… and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burnth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Rev 21:8). The LORD hates and condemns lying and deceitful tongues.

The sins of a lying tongue and evil speaking and the need to guard and control our tongues are widely taught in the Bible, particularly in the book of Psalms and Proverbs. Also in the book of James, the power, influence and danger of the tongue are comprehensively described. We will do well for our own soul if we were to spend time to have a deeper study of this important subject, to learn to keep our tongues from uttering lies, and to learn to speak good and gracious words that encourage and help build up the faith of others. “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” (Pro 21:23).

A lying tongue destroys our credibility and reputation. Once you are discovered to be a liar you forfeit your reputation and integrity, and your speech and behavior will henceforth be suspected, and your testimony and witness for Christ will be lost. Like a proud look, a lying tongue often cause problems and difficulties in human relationships, and may even destroy family and marriage relationships, working relationship in the office or fellowship in the church, all because of conflict and mistrust due to lying tongues. It is best to confess and seek forgiveness and close the door to Satan’s working and the future damage to our reputation and relationships with others. So let us learn to be very conscious of our words, for lies are a deadly and destructive sin; let us be truthful, say what we mean and mean what we say. Jesus says, “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: but whatever is more than these cometh of evil.” (Matt 5:37).  Pro 12:19 says, “The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” Jesus warns us: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matt 12:36-37). The LORD hears everything we speak. We must always remember that we will have to stand before our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to give an account of what we say.

What is the remedy for “a lying tongue”?

Based on our own strength, we are unable to control our tongues, but by the power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit our tongues can be controlled. We need to be aware that the heart influences the tongue and things that proceed out of our mouths come from the heart. Getting rid of a lying tongue begins with keeping and guarding the heart, changing our hearts. We need to continuously apply self-control and self-discipline on our hearts and tongues to ensure the words out of our mouths are honest, truthful, edifying and well-chosen. Pray to the LORD to help us, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.” (Ps 19:14).

3. The LORD hates hands that shed innocent blood

The third abominable sin the LORD hates is murder. Human beings are made in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27), therefore all human life is precious and sacred in the sight of God, and we are to have a high view and high regard on life. “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” (Gen 9:6). That is why the LORD gave us the sixth commandment: “Thou shalt not kill.” (Exo 20:13, Deu 5:17). Murder is heartless cruelty. It is an utter deviation from the will of God. It is recognized as criminal offence universally. Taking away human life in an unlawful and unjust manner is a serious transgression against God.

Most likely none of us in CPBPC have been guilty of murder. However, the prohibition in the sixth commandment includes character assassination, being angry with someone without a just cause, hating someone and insulting someone by calling him useless,worthless and stupid. Jesus said “²⁶Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, THOU SHALL NOT KILL; and whosoever shall kill be in danger of the judgement: ²⁷But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of judgement: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matt 5:21-22). John said “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 Jo 3:15).

Examples of “hands that shed innocent blood” in the Bible:

Cain slew his brother Abel (Gen 4:3-8), “Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” (1 Jo 3:12). The LORD accepted the offering of his brother Abel but rejected his offering. Cain was jealous and failed to control his anger and committed the sin of premeditated murder of his own brother Abel who was innocent. David, in desperation to cover up his sin of adultery with Bathsheba, committed the foolish act of killing Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba. David was determined to cover up his sin. He devised deceptive plans, failed twice and succeeded on the third attempt by indirectly killing Uriah in battle (2 Sam 11:6-17). Joab, the subordinate of king David, the commander in chief of the Israel army, murdered Abner (2 Sam 3:27) and Amasa (2 Sam 20:10) premeditatedly and brutally. In the case of Abner, Joab murdered him to avenge the death of his brother Asahel, even though Abner killed Asahel out of self-defence in war. Also, Joab probably saw Abner as a threat to his position as a trusted army chief of king David. In the case of Amasa, Joab murdered him out of jealousy and to preserve his own position, as he wanted the army chief position which he had lost because king David gave it to Amasa (2 Sam 19:13). In cruelly killing innocent peers Abner and Amasa, clearly Joab took matters into his own hands to achieve his personal agenda and benefit. These are the “hands that shed innocent blood” that the LORD hates. Out in the world there are many Joabs who have no qualms to “shed innocent blood” to achieve their evil objectives.

What is the remedy for “hands that shed innocent blood”?

Most of us are unlikely ever to murder another person literally. However, we are likely to murder someone spiritually, through hatred, anger, character assassination, and judgmental or belittling words. We need to fill our hearts and minds with God’s love and be obedience with the Word of God, and to be exceedingly careful at all times to avoid all these sins lest we be guilty of shedding innocent blood. We are to purpose and commit in our heart to love others, and to help and care for those who are helpless and in need of help and support.

To be Continued

Part 2 of 2 will cover the next four abominable sins:

4. The LORD hates a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations
5. The LORD hates feet that be swift in running to mischief
6. The LORD hates a false witness that speaketh lies
7. The LORD hates he that soweth discord among brethren