Hate What God Hates Kjv – A Comprehensive Guide

The phrase “hate what God hates” comes from Proverbs 6:16-19 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. This passage lists seven things that are an abomination to the Lord and that He hates. Understanding what God hates can help believers align their lives more closely to His will and character.

This article will provide an in-depth examination of the seven things listed in Proverbs 6:16-19 that God hates. We’ll look at the meaning of each item, examples from Scripture, and how Christians today can avoid these things and instead love what God loves.

Overview of Proverbs 6:16-19

The Biblical Context

Proverbs 6:16-19 is part of the wisdom literature in the Old Testament. It was likely written by King Solomon around 950 BC. In these verses, Solomon identifies seven behaviors that the Lord hates. This passage provides insight into God’s perspective on sin and reminds us to avoid wickedness.

The book of Proverbs contains practical advice for righteous living. The target audience was young men coming of age in Israelite society. However, the principles apply to all people desiring to live wisely and honor God.

In the preceding verses, Solomon warns his son about the dangers of lust, adultery, and laziness. Then in verse 16, he transitions to a poetic description of seven detestable sins. This literary structure draws attention to the list and underscores its importance.

The Seven Abominations Listed

The seven things the Lord hates are:

1. Haughty eyes
2. A lying tongue
3. Hands that shed innocent blood
4. A heart that devises wicked schemes
5. Feet that are quick to rush into evil
6. A false witness who pours out lies
7. A person who stirs up conflict in the community

This list progresses from sins of pride and dishonesty to sins of violence and social destruction. The initial focus on eyes, tongue, and hands may imply that sinful actions begin with unchecked thoughts and words.

Notably, God looks at the heart’s motivations, not just external behaviors. Even our secret intentions matter to Him. Also, several sins pertain to false testimony and strife within community relationships.

The literary device of listing sins in this way emphasizes God’s complete disdain for all forms of wickedness. The passage reminds us to carefully examine our inner thoughts and outward actions to root out anything displeasing to the Lord.

A Proud Look

Definition and Examples

A proud look refers to an attitude of arrogance, haughtiness, or feeling superior to others. Some examples include:

• Looking down on people and treating them as inferior
• Boasting about one’s accomplishments or possessions to impress others
• Refusing to admit mistakes or listen to advice
• Seeking recognition and praise for everything one does
• Being overly confident in one’s own abilities

The Bible warns against pride and arrogant behavior. Proverbs 16:18 states, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” A proud look is often rooted in an inflated view of oneself and a failure to acknowledge God’s role in one’s talents and blessings.

Avoiding Pride as Christians

As Christians, we are called to cultivate humility, not pride and arrogance. Here are some tips for avoiding pride:

• Remember that all good things come from God, not ourselves (James 1:17)
• Thank God daily for the gifts and talents we have
• Look for opportunities to serve others with a grateful and humble spirit (Philippians 2:3-4)
• Be quick to confess sins of pride and repent
• Pray for humility, wisdom, and an others-focused attitude (1 Peter 5:5-6)
• Avoid comparisons that lead to feeling superior over others

Cultivating true humility takes conscious effort and God’s grace working within us. But it is necessary in order to have healthy relationships with God and others. God blesses the humble, not the proud and haughty (Psalm 138:6, Proverbs 3:34).

A Lying Tongue

Forms of Lies

Lying takes many forms, from little white lies to overt deception. According to research, the most common lies told are:

• Exaggerations – stretching the truth for dramatic effect
• Concealments – leaving out key information
• Bald-faced lies – making up facts or distorting the truth

While small fibs may seem harmless, they can erode trust and damage relationships over time. Scripture urges truthfulness in our dealings with others:

“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25)

Truthfulness in Word and Deed

Beyond refraining from outright lies, the Bible calls us to be truthful in word and deed. As Jesus said, “let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil” (Matthew 5:37).

This means:

• Speaking accurately without exaggeration
• Following through on promises and commitments
• Admitting when we’ve made a mistake
• Avoiding hypocrisy by ensuring our actions match our words

Though uncomfortable at times, walking in truth honors God and builds trust with others. It also demonstrates the faith and integrity that should characterize followers of Christ.

“Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.” (Psalm 15:1-2 KJV)

Hands That Shed Innocent Blood

Murder in the Bible

The Bible clearly states that the intentional, unjustified killing of an innocent human being is prohibited and considered murder. In Exodus 20:13, one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God declares plainly: “Thou shalt not kill.” This establishes the sanctity of human life.

According to Exodus 21:12, premeditated murder was punishable by death – “He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.” This shows how seriously God takes the sin of murder.

God hates “hands that shed innocent blood” (Proverbs 6:17). He made mankind in His own image (Genesis 1:27), so an attack on human life is an affront to God Himself. Shedding the innocent blood of another human disregards their divine worth.

Throughout Scripture, God always protects the cause of the innocent (Psalm 82:3-4) while the murderers face His judgment.

Some specific examples of murders condemned in the Bible include Cain killing his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8), conspirators murdering King Ishbosheth (2 Samuel 4), Joab’s treacherous killing of Abner (2 Samuel 3:27) and David’s indirect murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 11:15-17).

These accounts demonstrate the far-reaching damage that can result from murdering another human being.

Respecting and Protecting Life

More than just prohibiting murder, the Bible exalts all human life as sacred and demands that we actively preserve and guard it. As Psalm 82:3-4 states, we must “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy.”

God expects us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and rescue those being led away to death.

This means we should oppose all threats to innocent lives – from abortion to euthanasia, from abuse to neglect. For example, Proverbs 24:11-12 urges: “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?” When we know innocents are in danger, God demands that we take action to preserve their lives.

Ultimately, all human beings have worth because we reflect the image of God. We must uphold this truth by safeguarding and honoring all people, remembering that murder begins not with bloodshed but with the hatred of another life (1 John 3:15).

Respect for life arises from understanding God’s love for humanity.

So in everything we do, we need to choose life, as Moses commanded in Deuteronomy 30:19 – “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” When we follow this principle from Scripture, we can rest assured our actions align with God’s heart for all people.

A Heart That Devises Wicked Plans

Evil Schemes in Scripture

The Bible contains many examples of individuals who devised wicked plans in their hearts. King David’s son Absalom conspired against his father to seize the throne (2 Samuel 15:12). Joseph’s brothers plotted to kill him out of jealousy (Genesis 37:18).

Even the religious leaders of Jesus’ day schemed to have Him arrested and killed (Matthew 26:4).

Scripture makes it clear that devising evil plans is sinful in God’s eyes. Proverbs 6:18 states that “a heart that devises wicked schemes” is one of the things the Lord hates. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

Our natural inclination is towards sin, not righteousness.

Despite our sinful tendencies, God calls us to resist wickedness. Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” We must fill our hearts with God’s Word and allow the Holy Spirit to transform our minds and desires.

As Philippians 4:8 says, we ought to think about things that are noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

Seeking Righteousness

The cure for a heart that devises wicked plans is seeking after righteousness. Psalm 37:30 says, “The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.” A righteous person speaks and schemes what is right, not evil.

We grow in righteousness by spending time in God’s presence. Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

As we set our hearts on bringing glory to God, our desires shift from selfish gain to honoring Him.

Righteous living also requires accountability and encouragement from other believers. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” The body of Christ is designed to sharpen one another toward righteousness through discipleship, rebuke, and exhortation.

Ultimately, our righteousness is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness.”

As we walk by the Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:16).

Feet That Are Swift in Running to Evil

Examples of Rushing into Sin

The Bible warns us in multiple places about acting too hastily when confronted with temptation or making important decisions. Rushing into sinful behavior without taking time to consider the consequences is a dangerous path.

Here are some real-world examples of how people can be quick to plunge into wickedness:

• Cheating on a spouse in a moment of weakness rather than working through marital struggles
• Spreading gossip and rumors about someone else without verifying facts first
• Making a life-altering financial decision based on greed instead of wisdom and counsel
• Joining in with peers to ridicule or bully another person caught up in the crowd’s excitement
• Posting hateful speech online when emotions are running high instead of pausing to think
• Stealing money or items on impulse when the opportunity presents itself

In each case above, taking time for self-reflection, prayer, and seeking godly advice could have prevented much heartache and damage. But when our feet are swift to run toward evil, we often end up living with major regrets. The father of lies wants us to act first and think later.

Fleeing from Temptation

Just as it’s easy to rush into sin, Scripture calls us to flee from evil desires and tempting situations. Here are some practical ways to heed this biblical wisdom:

• Avoiding people or media that could seduce us into sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18)
• Removing ourselves from friendships or activities influencing drug or alcohol abuse (1 Peter 4:3-4)
• Cutting off access to funds when wrestling with greed or overspending (Hebrews 13:5)
• Quitting a high-paying job obtained through dishonesty or deception (Proverbs 10:2)
• Eliminating or limiting time online when struggling with pornography (2 Timothy 2:22)
• Leaving environments where anger issues are easily provoked (Proverbs 22:24-25)

While fleeing temptation requires courage and discipline, God promises it is the path to true freedom. We may even need to take drastic measures like moving or changing jobs to escape sin’s pull. But resisting the devil and drawing near to Jesus will empower us to walk in holiness (James 4:7-8).

A False Witness Who Speaks Lies

Bearing False Witness

Bearing false witness means lying or spreading misinformation intentionally. This goes against the 9th commandment in the Bible which states “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16).

Unfortunately, some people ignore this commandment and engage in lying or spreading rumors that harm others.

For example, someone might falsely accuse their neighbor of a crime out of jealousy or spread a damaging rumor about a coworker they dislike. These lies can destroy relationships, reputations, and even lives. Even “little white lies” meant to spare someone’s feelings can erode trust.

God hates lies because they are the opposite of truth. Jesus called Himself “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). As Christians, we are called to be like Christ by living honest, sincere lives that glorify God.

The apostle Paul instructed believers to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

Being Truthful

In contrast to bearing false witness, believers should strive to be truthful in our words and actions. As Paul wrote, “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25).

This means being honest and transparent in our dealings with others and avoiding even “white lies” or exaggerations. For example, giving an accurate report of a workplace accident instead of distorting the details to avoid blame. Or admitting when we’ve made a mistake instead of covering it up.

Speaking the truth demonstrates integrity and helps build trust between people. Of course, the truth should be shared in a spirit of love, not condemnation. Jesus perfectly modeled “speaking the truth in love” in His earthly ministry.

As we walk in His footsteps, we can glorify God through truthful words and deeds.

For more on truthfulness in the Bible, check out websites like BibleStudyTools. Living honestly and speaking the truth as Jesus did brings glory to God and blessings into our lives.

One Who Sows Discord Among Brethren

Dividing God’s People

The Bible clearly warns against those who cause divisions and offenses that go against the teachings of Christ (Romans 16:17). When believers are unified, it brings glory to God. But anyone who disrupts that unity or tries to divide God’s people is acting against His will (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Discord among brethren often begins subtly through gossip, slander, grumbling, or contention over secondary doctrinal issues. Over time, personal offenses can take root and destroy unity. Scripture urges us to avoid these kinds of behaviors which undermine the fellowship of believers.

Interestingly, a 2021 survey by Barna found that 37% of practicing Christians admit to spreading gossip about fellow believers, indicating that discord among brethren remains a pressing issue facing churches.

Additionally, a 2022 Baylor University study revealed that only around 30% of church-goers feel a strong sense of belonging in their congregations. Clearly there is room for improvement in building spiritual unity.

Pursuing Peace and Unity

Scripture puts the onus on each of us as believers to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). This requires showing patience, kindness, and gentleness toward one another while avoiding pride and selfish ambition.

Practically speaking, we can pursue unity by focusing on Christ instead of secondary issues. We should also makeallowances for others’ weaknesses and treat them with love and compassion as fellow members of God’s family (1 Peter 3:8).

Additionally, choosing to forgive offenses quickly makes discord much less likely to take root. Seeking accountability through godly counsel and submission to spiritual leaders in the church is also important for guarding our tongues and protecting against disunity.

Our life together as believers should be marked by harmony, not by strife and dissension. By clinging to Christ and seeking the good of others before ourselves, we can walk worthy of the gospel and give a powerful witness to the watching world around us.

Conclusion

In summary, Proverbs 6:16-19 provides a list of seven things that God hates: pride, lies, murder, evil plans, rushing into sin, false testimony, and division. Examining each of these areas can help us understand God’s values and adjust our lives accordingly.

As Christians, we are called to turn away from these sins and instead emulate Jesus Christ in humility, truth, love, righteousness, self-control, honesty, and peacemaking. Doing so allows us to love what God loves.