I was working on my new book “Principles from Proverbs” today and I came across this article that I posted in a local newspaper when we lived in Virginia. I think I may have to use it in the book;

Proverbs 6:16-19

    How would you explain the difference between things you don’t like, and things you hate?  Sometimes we use the word “hate” when we ought to say “dislike.”… Like: “I hate it when someone drives too slow on the freeway”…or do you “dislike” it? Do you dislike adultery or do you hate it? Do you dislike child abuse, or do you hate it?  To dislike something means that you may not like it but you can tolerate it; however, to hate or detest something goes deeper than that.

    Proverbs 6:16-19 tells us that these are not things God dislikes, but things He hates! He detests them. The list is not all inclusive. It is only a representative portion of the whole. We know that Solomon could have listed far more, but they would all probably fall under one of these categories.
#1.“Haughty eyes.”  Basically, this is Pride: self-exaltation, conceit, arrogance, haughtiness, putting oneself above others, looking down upon others, scorn, contempt. Pride can be hidden in the heart as well as openly displayed. This is what causes racial, financial, and social prejudice. It is the Pharisee, who says, “Thank God that I am not like other men”…Over-valuing ourselves and under-valuing others is called “haughty eyes” and God hates it!

#2. “A lying tongue.” If Satan is “the father of lies” as the Word says, then why do you suppose God hates lies?  The Word also says that a “liar is one who neither loves the truth nor speaks the truth.”  There are two words that come to mind as it concerns lies; deception and destruction. People lie to deceive most often. We may be embarrassed, or unwilling, or caught doing something we ought not do…and we lie in order to deceive. What is worse than that is lying in order to destroy someone or make them look bad.

#3. “Hands that shed innocent blood”. What comes to mind on this one? I am not going to elaborate on this other than to say that for me it brings to mind things like; 9-1-1 and abortion and the capital punishment or the death penalty issues.

#4. “A heart that devises wicked schemes.” This is a person who is always planning evil so that there is an ever-on-going lack of peace. The Middle-East crisis comes to mind here, but we have plenty of people right here in our own country who would fit this bill.

#5. “Feet that are quick to rush into evil”. They just don’t care about life nor do they value life, they are quick tempered, and violent. They have an “only the strong survive” attitude. They thrive on the fact that people are afraid and they feed on fear. They don’t care about “consequence” and their conscience is “seared” as Paul would say; “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Isaiah 59:6)

#6. “A false witness”. It is one thing to lie, it is another to give false witness. A false witness spreads rumors or slanders another for the purpose of “covering up” something, or malicious intent of harm. The easiest way of destroying another person’s character or integrity is “false witness.” The whole premise behind the capture and persecution and death of Jesus was “false witness.” Once again – lying in order to destroy – maybe there is a reason this is mentioned twice!

#7. Finally, and I think this may be the one that stands out among the “Six things God hates, seven that he detests”…Maybe because this one destroys the work of God in building His kingdom. This one will destroy the church. This one will prevent growth. This one will damage the spiritual relationship between us and God, This one will destroy our relationships with one another…which breaks all 10 commandments! It would be –  “A man who stirs up “dissension”. Jesus said “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul; and love your neighbor as yourself…This one – this dissension – destroys both! You could apply this as well to the work place; or to any kind of team effort…dissension will destroy it.

These things it says, are “detestable” in His sight…Remember, He does not just dislike them…