Hate is Such a Strong Word (Proverbs 6:16-19)

In life, we were always taught that hate is a powerful word. Never use the word hate. But in reality, it is a word that the Christian needs to be affiliated with. If the Lord hates, then we too must also hate. We are commanded to love as Christ loved, so why not hate as the Lord hates?

"These six things the Lord hates; indeed, seven are an abomination to Him..." Proverbs 6:16, Amplified

It was once said to me that this was contains six different items that the Lord hates, but the seventh is an actual person and this is why the Lord does not hate it. I am not quite sure if I completely subscribe to this view, but when we get to the sixth and seventh items we will cover this more.

"A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood..." Proverbs 6:17, Amplified

Let us look at each item individual and understand why the Lord hates these things:

• A Proud Look - Pride is a wall built by man that is designed to separate himself from others. This wall also separates himself from the Lord. When Peter wrote his first epistle, he stated, "God resists the proud, but gives grace tot he humble." (I Peter 5:5, NKJV) James also reiterates this concept and adds, "Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7, NKJV) Pride does not allow the Lord the ability to work in our live the way He wants to. Remember that pride is not how highly one thinks of himself, rather it is how often one thinks of himself.
• A Lying Tongue - Lying is never going to be reflective of God. The word Christian was generated by the Romans as a derogatory description of those who followed Christ and literally means "Little Christ". I could not think of a better description that we would want to be associated with, however, is this the description that best fits us? Lying does not allow the work of a truthful Lord to be evident in our life. Jesus Himself sated, "I am the way, the truth and the life." (John 14:6, NKJV) As children we learn how lying might be beneficial to get one out of trouble, but the Lord calls us to responsibility.
• Hands that Shed Innocent Blood - Never are we called to attack the innocent or the weak, but we are always called to defend them. "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and keep oneself unspotted from the world." (James 1:27, NKJV) Jesus constantly looked out for those who could not look out for themselves by loving the unlovable, touching the untouchable, defending the defenseless.

"A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil..." Proverbs 6:18, Amplified

• A wicked heart - A heart that is constantly manufacturing wicked thoughts has no time for anything else. It cannot focus on the Lord because it is constantly focused on itself and the wickedness thereof. The heart is reference ninety-nine times in the New Testament. In particular I would like to focus on something that Paul wrote to the Corinthians. "Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart." (II Corinthians 3:3, NKJV) A wicked heart slowly turns to stone and the ability for the Lord to write on a tablet of flesh narrows ore and more each day.
• Swift Feet - Swift feet show no hesitation. This can either be a blessing or a curse. Our feet should be swift to spread the Gospel. The prophet Isaiah wrote, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaim peace, who bring glad tidings of good things, who proclaim salvation, Who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" (Isaiah 52:7, NKJV) To have feet that are swift to run towards evil are not quite as beautiful. The paths that man chooses clearly reveals his heart.

"A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among the brethren." Proverbs 6:19, Amplified

• A False Witness - Is Solomon writing of the actual witness or the person who is witnessing? This is the conundrum of this particular verse. Can the Lord hate the witness or the words that he is speaking? Any any sense, a false witness, or testimony, is a lie. A false witness has the capacity to bring down great men. Jesus fell into the hands of man because of false witnesses. Later in the book of Proverbs Solomon will write, "For my mouth will speak truth, wickedness is an abomination to my lips." (Proverbs 8:7, NKJV)
• One Who Sows Discord - This abomination to the Lord is the actual person who is sowing the discord. Discord is a little tool the devil uses to bring division. "But He knowing their thoughts, said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.'" (Luke 11:17, NKJV) If a Christian were against a Christian, how then can the Gospel go out? The Lord chose us to deliver His message, let us be worthy of that calling.