Six Things The Lord Hates, Seven That Are An Abomination To Him

Our church, Mount Pleasant Baptist, since the beginning of the year has been going through a #moveme challenge. The phrase "move me" are the first 6 letters in the word movement which is our desire for God to begin a movement through the people of The Mount. Each movement of God that has ever started has begun within the hearts of people that seek to live for the glory of God.

Part of the move me challenge is to be in the word more together (as an individual, family, and church). The month of January we studied the book of James together, February we studied the book of Matthew, and now we're studying through the book of Proverbs. Last night, our family read Proverbs 6 together and one thing struck me hard. Proverbs 6:16-19 says:

(16) There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: (17) haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, (18) a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil (19) a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among his brothers. 

We often say God hates sin, but think about the specific sins that were listed in these seven items. We all know God hates these things, but we often seek to justify why we practice such foolishness as Proverbs says. These are things that outright offend God and are an abomination to Him:

1. Haughty eyes- Do we realize that Solomon is talking about pride? Those who look down on others like they are superior to them have haughty eyes. I have met people that just being around them makes me feel uncomfortable because they act like they're above me. In Student Ministry, you lose trust with students when you act like that. 
2. A Lying Tongue- This is one of those things Christians try to justify. There is no justification to why you're sinning other than we have a carnal heart and nature that we must dye to daily. A lying tongue does not sit well with God, and this must change in the life of believers. 
3. Hands that shed innocent blood- We understand that this means people who hurt and kill innocent people, but let's take this a step further. This also means those who kill innocent babies (abortion). The Christians who try to justify that a woman has a choice, must understand that shedding innocent blood God HATES, and abortion is just that.
4. A heart that devices wicked plans- Think about those people who try to get even with one another, or put a plan together to get their way. Those people have hearts which are creating wicked plans. God wants his people to be an honest and upright people that can stand on His Word to provide plans.
5. Feet that make haste to run to evil- How often do you run to evil? I know that I have a tendency to sin and sin in particular areas of my life. That's me running to evil instead of running to the cross. May God teach us how to run to Him, with Him, and for Him instead of to evil.
6. A false witness who breathes out lies- Was this Judas, or could this be Joel Olsteen, or maybe one of us? God despises those who pretend to know Him, but speaks falsely about what Scripture teaches. Know God's Word, believe God's Word, and teach God's Word, not that stuff that puffs people up (prosperity gospel).
7. One who sows discord among brothers- This should hit the heart of most churches, especially my own denomination (Southern Baptist Convention). Believers, we can't have heart that sows discord among our brothers, but rather unity. Unity doesn't mean we have to please everyone, but that we come together for the better good of the gospel. Far too often we sow discord which just doesn't please God, but God has hatred for. 

Wow, what a list. I know it challenged me to have a relentless sprit within me to please God with my life rather than God hate the things within my life. I would really like to hear feedback on these 7 items and what you see the Christian church struggling with the most out of these areas.

Joe Mayes