What Things Does God Hate? What the Bible Tells Us
God is indeed the God of love, but He's no spoon-feeder, and neither will He spoil His people. There are certain things that God hates, and while He's known to be very patient and understanding, there are some things that He really won't let off the hook.
What God hates – in our everyday life
In His holiness, God requires us to be holy in all that we do (see 1 Peter 1:16). As such, we must take heed to what the writer of Proverbs tells us as the things that God hates:
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"These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness who speaks lies, and he who sows discord among brethren." (Proverbs 6:16-19)
Let's take a quick look at these seven things God hates.
Arrogance: "a proud look"
The Bible tells us that "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). It also warns us that haughtiness comes "before a fall" (see Proverbs 16:18). God doesn't want us to be proud (see 1 John 2:16).
Deceitfulness and manipulation: "a lying tongue"
Satan, the father of lies, has a lying tongue. He is so full of lies (see John 8:44). God doesn't want us to be like that. We are told to live as "children of light" for our Father God is the "Father of lights" We are to be honest and transparent before God and men in all we do and say. (see Ephesians 5:8; James 1:17)
Murder: "hands that shed innocent blood"
Of course we understand this to be plain murder, but the Lord Jesus told us that those who hate others are already guilty of murder (see Matthew 5:21-22). As such, we are not to breed a hateful heart.
Wickedness: "a heart that devises wicked imaginations"
God sees our hearts. In fact, He goes beyond our outward appearance and looks at the contents of our hearts (see 1 Samuel 16:7). God will see the evil we hide inside, and He doesn't like that. Moreover, the evil we breed inside our minds will soon come out: the Lord Jesus did say "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (see Luke 6:45).
Sinfulness: "feet that are swift in running to mischief"
Actions, when done repeatedly, become habits. Wicked thoughts will soon translate into wicked actions, and wicked actions into wicked habits, and wicked habits into a wicked lifestyle. Paul says people like this have their conscience "seared with a hot iron" (see 1 Timothy 4:2).
Slander: "a false witness who speaks lies"
God doesn't want us bearing false witness against our neighbors (see Exodus 20:16). A lying tongue can slander anybody and have their names – and lives – destroyed. God doesn't want this.
Divisiveness: "and he who sows discord among brethren"
Manipulative, lying, slanderous tongues sow discord among friends. God hates gossiping (see Exodus 23:1). He wants all of us to speak the truth in love (see Ephesians 4:15), and strive to be at peace with one another (see Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14). Blessed are the peacemakers, Jesus said (see Matthew 5:9).
