Eld Ko Swee Chay

Seven Abominable Sins The LORD Hates (Part 2 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

By the inspiration of God, Solomon listed in Proverbs 6:16-19 seven things which are “an abomination” unto the LORD for our awareness and warning. These seven abominable sins focus on sins of five body parts, namely eye, tongue, hand, heart and feet. Please note that there are many other passages in the Bible stating things the LORD hates: idolatry, prostitution, homosexuality, adultery, fornication, drunkenness etc.

Part 1 of 2 of this article printed in Pandan News Weekly on 9^thDecember 2018 covered the first three of the seven things which are “an abomination” unto the LORD that Solomon listed in Proverbs 6:16-19, namely:

1.  The LORD hates a proud look

The first abominable sin the LORD hates are people with a proud look. This refers to 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.

2.  The LORD hates a lying tongue

The second 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. A lying tongue destroys one’s credibility and reputation.

3.  The LORD hates hands that shed innocent blood

The third is murder. All human life is precious and sacred in the sight of God as man is made in the image of God, and we are to have a high view and high regard for life. That is why the LORD gave us the sixth commandment: “Thou shalt not kill.” Taking away human life in an unlawful and unjust manner is a serious transgression against God.

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, stupid.

Part 2 of 2 of this article covers the next four abominable sins, namely “Heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

4.  The LORD hates a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations

The forth abominable sin the LORD hates is a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.

A heart that deviseth (literally means “plow” to prepare the soil) wicked imaginations is likened to making the heart into a devil’s workshop in devising, plotting and fabricating wicked schemes with craftiness and deceitfulness. This is abhorrent to God. Proverbs 1:20 reiterates “They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD….”. Man cannot see what is in another man’s heart, but the Divine eyes penetrate the heart. God is Omniscient, He knows all things. He knows what is in our heart and mind, and all our thoughts and deeds, nothing can escape God’s eyes. “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and good.” (Pro 15:3). “…. for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Sam 16:7).

It was because of the wicked imaginations in wicked man’s heart that God sent the devastating global flood to destroy the wicked men in Noah’s day. “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gen 6:5). The heart of the LORD was grieved and He decided to destroy man from the face of the earth. Noah together with his family of eight were spared from God’s judgment because Noah and family found grace in the eyes of the LORD (Gen 6:6-7).

In the Bible there are many accounts of men who devised wicked imaginations to obtain personal gain through deception, trickery or manipulate people out of their possessions. Listed below are some examples:

• Jacob “bought” Esau’s birthright (Gen 25:29-34) – Esau was hungry and desperate for food to the point of near fainting, Jacob took advantage of Esau’s distressed situation by asking Esau to sell his birthright to him for a mere red pottage.
• King Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard, Jezebel plotted Naboth’s death for Ahab to take possession of it (1 Ki 21:1-16) – Ahab wanted very much the vineyard of Naboth for his garden of herbs. He made an offer to Naboth, but Naboth said “no” to him and cited the right biblical reason that the LORD disallowed him to part with the inheritance of his forefathers. When Ahab’s wife Jezebel found out her husband was depressed because his desire to possess the vineyard was not met, she plotted a wicked and cruel plan to have two men described as sons of Belial, to witness against Naboth falsely in public of blaspheming God and the king. Naboth was stoned to death and his vineyard was taken over by Ahab.

What is the remedy for “a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations”?

In Matthew 15:19-20, Jesus pointed out “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man…” Proverbs 4:23 warned us “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” So first and foremost, recognize that wicked imaginations and thoughts and deeds originate from an unguarded and uncontrolled heart. We are to diligently guard, protect and control our heart from wicked imaginations. From the examples cited above, the motive behind the wicked plots is greed and covetousness, that is to seek to obtain something or some status or position from others wickedly. The way to deal with greed and covetousness therefore is to be contented with God’s provision and plan for us; to have faith in God and His Word; to fill our heart with God’s Word to guard and lead us to live a holy, godly and righteous life. Take note of Paul’s teaching in 1 Timothy 5:7-8 “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”; and Peter’s teaching in 2 Peter 3:11-12 “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the Day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?”

5.  The LORD hates feet that be swift in running to mischief

The fifth abominable sin the LORD hates is feet that be swift in running to mischief. This is about impulsive, inconsiderate, self-serving actions or responding to a situation swiftly without showing grace, kindness and forgiving spirit. In the process, they cause harm and hurt to others. Examples of “feet that be swift in running to mischief” in the Bible include:

• Absalom burned Joab’s barley field to get an audience with the king (2 Sam 14:28-33) - After Absalom returned from exile and lived in Jerusalem for two years, he longed for an audience with his father king David but didn’t get it. Absalom then requested Joab to arrange for him to meet the king, for having an audience with the king and the king’s public approval were important to him in building up his case to be the next king of Israel. He knew only Joab could help him because he was the king’s right hand man. But Joab ignored his request twice. Absalom then instructed his servants to burn Joab’s barley field. That got Joab’s immediate response and help to arrange for an audience with the king. Absalom achieved his objective through mischief and caused trouble and damage to Joab.
• Joab killed Amasa to protect his prestigious position as army chief (2 Sam 20:10) – After he defeated the revolt led by Absalom, David promoted Amasa to be the chief of Israel’s army in place of Joab (2 Sam 19:13). Joab was furious for being replaced by Amasa. Subsequently, in addressing the rebellion of Sheba against king David, Amasa and Joab met in Gibeon. Amasa was not concerned when Joab approached him with the sword in his left hand. Without warning, Joab thrust the sword into Amasa and killed him in one stroke. This was a premeditated murder. Joab had no qualms about taking matters into his own hands. He was swift in running to mischief to achieve his self-serving agenda without a thought for others.

In life we can expect to encounter unfair and unjust treatment and situation at times, either real or perceived. Some common thoughts include: I didn’t get the job I desired because I didn’t curry favour with the boss. I didn’t get the promotion and bonus I think I deserved even though I worked very hard and efficiently compared with many other colleagues. I wanted to get rich quickly, and out of greed, I invested hastily and unwisely without recognizing the inherent risks involved, I ended up being deceived and badly cheated. I became impatient and disappointed, I murmured and complained. I ran quickly to mischief: I took things into my own hands, I cut corners, I used unethical measures, I disobeyed God’s Word even though I knew I shouldn’t. I lost faith in God and my Christian testimony and witness.

What is the remedy for “feet that be swift in running to mischief”?

Make sure our wants and desires are according to God’s will and plan for us, and are not willful and self-serving. Make sure our motive is the love of God and our purpose in life is to glorify God. “for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt 6:33). “Cast all your care upon him, for he careth for you.” (1 Pet 5:7). “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil 4:6).

When we are, unjustly and unfairly treated for righteousness sake, know that God has called us to believe and suffer for Christ. Wait upon God patiently, “Be still, and know that I am God….” (Ps 46:11).

6.  The LORD hates a false witness that speaketh lies

The sixth abominable sin the LORD hates is a false witness that speaketh lies. The abomination against a lying tongue mentioned in Proverbs 6:16 that we looked at before is a general warning. Here in Proverbs 6:19 the focus is narrowed specifically on lying about another person, a person who bears false witness by speaking lies. The 9^thcommandment strictly prohibits such a sin. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” (Exo 20:16, Deu 5:20). Revelation 21:8 warned us “…all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” This speaks of the seriousness of this sin of false witness that speaketh lies.

We recall the Jewish religious leaders who were spiritually blind and corrupt. They employed this sinful tactic of “bear false witness” against Jesus resulting in His crucifixion, “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death.” (Matt 26:59). In the account of Jezebel’s plot to kill Naboth, mentioned above, she employed the same tactic.

We must remember that “a false witness that speaketh lies” includes giving out wrong information, or selectively withholding part information and not telling the whole truth, or manipulating and doctoring the information, or subtly creating wrong impressions, or unjustly raising questions and casting doubts on someone. All these are with the intention to discredit someone with an evil purpose.

What is the remedy for “a false witness that speaketh lies”?

Know that our God is a truthful witness and expects His children to tell the truth and to be upright and bear accurate witness regardless of the situation. Situational ethics is not to be practiced. Bearing false witness destroys reputation and credibility as well as destroys friendships and relationships. It is a terrible sin expressly forbidden in the Ten Commandments. Always remember to speak the truth. Take heed of what Jesus said “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: but whatever is more than these cometh of evil.” (Matt 5:37). Make sure that everything we say is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge. If we are not sure or can’t remember very well, it is better not to speak. Whatever we say must be a true reflection of our motives and intentions, without any hidden agenda.

7.  The LORD hates he that soweth discord among brethren

The seventh abominable sin the LORD hates is he that soweth discord among brethren. This is the worst of all the sins on this list. The reason is that the above six sins are sins against fellow human beings. But this sin is a sin against God and man. The two Christians were good friends until the discord caused them to become enemies. This ruined the unity that they once enjoyed. Their testimony used to glory Christ when they were good friends. But the sower of discord has destroyed this. He has caused them to bring shame to Christ because of their broken relationship.

In the Bible, there are many verses that teach God’s children to live in unity and peace both in NT and OT: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Ps 133:1). “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Rom 12:18). “Let us therefore follow after things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” (Rom 14:19). “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Cor 14:33). “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Heb 12:14). These verses clearly show that God who is the author of peace, desires His children to live together in unity and peace.

What is the remedy for “he that soweth discord among brethren”?

Know very well and take heed that God hates the ones who spread discord or strife and cause disunity and disharmony among brothers and sisters in Christ. As God’s blood bought children we should never be involved in talebearing, spreading ill-natured & juicy stories, gossiping and anything that cause dissensions and divisions, strain relationships and disrupt friendships. They are abhorrent to God. Each of us has a role to play in condemning and stopping, and not show any interest in listening to these sins. Where appropriate, church leaders need to exercise disciplinary action. Bear in mind the writing of Paul “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord and one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory: but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” (Phil 2:2-3).

Conclusion

By the inspiration of God, Solomon listed in Proverbs 6:16-19 six things the LORD hate and number seven is an abomination. These seven transgressions focus on sins of five body parts, namely eye, tongue, hand, heart and feet. These sins are not uncommon even among “believers”. “The LORD hates” is an intense and serious statement that should cause us to take heed and control ourselves. We therefore ought not to be complacent and treat these sins lightly. We need to guard ourselves from committing these hateful sins. Perhaps some of us might be guilty of some of them, let us confess and repent, and ask for God’s forgiveness. Please take note that there are many other 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 deeply hates are idolatry, prostitution, homosexuality, adultery, fornication, drunkenness etc. The LORD is holy and righteous, and He hates all evil, uncleanness and unrighteousness. May God helps us to know and fill our heart and mind with His holy and sacred Word and to meditate on the things that He hates that we might not sin against Him, but to live a holy, godly and righteous life that we might glorify our Father in heaven. AMEN.