The question asks, “What are seven things the Lord finds detestable?” Proverbs 6:16 says, “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:” The King James Version says “an abomination.” An abomination is something that causes disgust or hatred, and detestable is something that is deserving of intense dislike.
It might be hard for people to think that a loving God would find something so bad that He thinks of that something as so repulsive. What are those things and why does God feel that way towards them?
God despises any sort of idol or whatever would have His spot in our hearts (Deuteronomy 16:22). God has contempt for the workings of the flesh. They are the things that uncover the degeneracy and utter debasement of humanity.
God has not closed His eyes to the transgressions of humankind, nor is He open-minded toward evil conduct.
The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time (Genesis 6:5).
What are seven things the Lord finds detestable? Let's find out.
What Are Seven Things the Lord Finds Detestable?
1. Haughty Eyes
Let us first take an observation at “a proud look.” What is wrong with having a bit of pride in our hearts? Are we not to be proud of our children, proud of where we come from (ancestry, heritage), proud of what our family and friends have accomplished?
These may be true, but it is self-centeredness, arrogance, and vanity, which are the negative attributes. People like this think highly of themselves. They see themselves better than everyone else and put themselves above God or anyone else for that matter.
This demeanor causes a person to disapprove of others. A perfect representation of someone with a proud look is the Pharisee who went into the Temple to pray. When he saw the publican (tax collector) close by, he gloated to God.
He alluded to his pretentious deeds, however, God dismissed him. The Pharisee did not go to the Temple to actually pray to God, but to report to all inside earshot of how great he was (Luke 18:11).
Haughty eyes and a proud heart — the unplowed field of the wicked — produce sin (Proverbs 21:4)
those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; (Proverbs 30:13).
2. A Lying Tongue
One psalmist said, “In my alarm I said, ‘Everyone is a liar’” (Psalm 116:11). Another psalmist said, “Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues” (Psalm 120:2). Satan is known as a liar and the “father of it” (John 8:44), showing us that something contrary to what is true is not sacred.
How can a person not lie? They must have the God of Truth within their hearts. “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4). And for man to have truth in his heart, he must know Christ (John 14:6).
Solomon again states that lying is an abomination to the Lord (Proverbs 12:22). Lying is in contrast to the nature of God, for God does not lie (Titus 1:2). There were liars at Jesus’ trial that had testified against Him. These people, since they did not repent and accept salvation, will spend an eternity away from God (Revelation 21:8).
3. Hands That Shed Innocent Blood
This was referenced before in the Book of Proverbs regarding evil (Proverbs 1:16). Savagery, violence, retribution, revenge, and outrage are on the whole terrible enough all by themselves (Romans 12:19).
Particularly shocking are those that utilize violence against individuals who are innocent. What have the innocent done or committed to merit vicious acts and treatment from others?
Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back (Proverbs 28:17).
When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! (Isaiah 1:15).
4. A Heart That Devises Wicked Schemes
Imagining means plans — someone that has an attitude to plan evil things toward others. Jesus stated that “for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matthew 15:19).
If the Lord is not the ruler of man’s heart, then it is full of sin and the things that come out of it are transgressions and evil. Our hearts have been leaned toward transgression from the time we were conceived.
It is not difficult to fall into the everyday practice of neglecting and spurning God. Yet, we can choose whether or not to proceed in wrongdoing. It is possible that we can give in to a particular temptation, or we can request that God assist us with opposing it.
I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters, and they will eat one another’s flesh because their enemies will press the siege so hard against them to destroy them (Jeremiah 19:9).
5. Feet That Are Quick to Rush into Evil
God loathes a heart that makes wicked imaginations but also the feet that do those plans. In Scripture, feet are regularly utilized as references to finishing or carrying out a plan (Zechariah 14:4; Romans 10:15). In this case, the sinful individual is not simply content in making wicked imaginations, he is energetic and excited about doing them.
When those that have the wicked imaginations forming in their hearts, their feet will rush to do them (Isaiah 59:7). People who run toward mischief are those who want to do it. They enjoy torturing others with their deceitfulness. They are dishonorable people who cannot be trusted. It is fun for a fool to do mischief (Proverbs 10:23) but it will eventually catch up to him (Proverbs 7:16).
They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb fashions deceit (Job 15:35).
for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble (Proverbs 24:2).
6. A False Witness Who Pours Out Lies
Solomon already spoke about a lying tongue (Proverbs 6:17), now he talks about someone who gives a false witness or testimony. Literally, this is a person who gives a falsified account regarding a person or action that has not been committed.
In the first instance, it is about deceiving a specific person. In this instance, it refers to deceiving others about someone or something. Either way, God hates both of these actions and the people that perform them.
During the trial of Jesus, there were those who came forward and gave false statements about Him (Matthew 26:59-61). They had distorted the Lord’s teachings about the Temple’s destruction. They accused Jesus of lying and blasphemy but that is far from the truth. In John 14:6, Jesus says that He is the way, the truth, and the life, so He can only speak the truth.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free (Proverbs 19:5).
A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish (Proverbs 19:9).
7. A Person Who Stirs Up Conflict in the Community
Someone who sows discord is one who utilizes tattling, gossip, lies, unwarranted allegations, and accusations, negative analysis, and slandering to achieve his objective. Sowing is a reference to planting, and with sowing discord, what sprouts up strife, conflict, controversy, and dissension.
With life being as hard as it is, why would one want to create more strife and conflict? People should be working together, especially Christians. Those that cause discord and discontent do not serve the Lord but themselves (Romans 16:17-18).
who plots evil with deceit in his heart — he always stirs up conflict (Proverbs 6:14).
In Summary
What are seven things the Lord finds detestable? Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to run to evil, a false witness, and a person who stirs up conflict. Avoid such people.
For further reading:
What Does the Bible Say about Haughty Eyes?
What Does it Mean That ‘Life and Death Are in the Power of the Tongue’?
Why Do People Call Evil Good and Good Evil?
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