“A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among the brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19.
Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts, ready to receive Your truth. Search us, O God, and know our hearts. If there is anything in us that is not pleasing to You, reveal it gently and lead us into righteousness. Let this Word not just inform us, but transform us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In a world where people often ask what God wants from them, we do not always pause to consider what He rejects. Yet understanding what God hates helps us guard our hearts—not in fear, but in alignment; not in condemnation, but in conviction that leads to transformation. Scripture gives us a direct answer in Proverbs 6:16–19, where it says, “These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him.” This is not casual language. It is God drawing a line, not to push us away, but to protect our purpose. As we walk through these, the goal is not to identify them in others, but to examine our own hearts.
The first is a proud look, which points to pride. Pride is subtle. It does not always present as arrogance; sometimes it shows up as independence from God. It whispers that we do not need help, that we know better, or that we can handle things on our own. But pride disconnects us from God’s guidance. As James 4:6 reminds us, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Pride was at the root of Lucifer’s fall, and it still causes quiet spiritual falls today. The question becomes: are we relying on God, or replacing Him?
The second is a lying tongue. God is truth, so anything rooted in deception stands in opposition to His nature. A lying tongue is not limited to obvious lies; it includes half-truths, manipulation, and misrepresentation. Lies destroy trust, and trust is foundational to every relationship, including our relationship with God. Proverbs 12:22 tells us that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. This calls us to examine whether our words reflect truth or simply protect our image.
The third is hands that shed innocent blood. While this certainly includes physical violence, it also extends to harming others in ways that are not always visible. Emotional abuse, tearing down someone’s character, or damaging their reputation can all fall into this category. God deeply cares about the innocent, and unjust harm grieves Him. Psalms 11:5 reminds us that the Lord examines the righteous, but He hates wickedness. We must ask ourselves whether our actions are building others up or quietly tearing them down.
The fourth is a heart that devises wicked plans. This reminds us that sin often begins long before it becomes visible. God is not only concerned with our actions, but with our intentions. A heart that devises wicked plans may hold grudges, seek revenge, or operate with hidden motives. 1 Samuel 16:7 tells us that while man looks at the outward appearance, the Lord looks at the heart. This calls for deep reflection on what we think about when no one else is watching.
The fifth is feet that are swift to run to evil. This speaks not just of sin itself, but of eagerness toward it. There is a difference between stumbling into sin and pursuing it without hesitation. When something dishonors God, do we pause, or do we participate? Proverbs 4:15 instructs us to avoid the path of evil and turn away from it. This challenges us to consider whether we are resisting temptation or entertaining it.
The sixth is a false witness who speaks lies. This goes beyond dishonesty and enters into the realm of intentional harm through falsehood. It includes slander, twisting narratives, and presenting falsehood as truth. This is serious because it damages reputations and undermines justice. God values truth, and false testimony corrupts it. We must consider whether our words uphold truth or distort it for personal gain or influence.
Finally, the seventh is one who sows discord among brethren. This is especially significant because God values unity among His people. Division disrupts relationships, hinders purpose, and creates environments where the enemy can operate. Psalms 133:1 declares how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity. Sowing discord can look like stirring conflict, spreading negativity, or creating unnecessary tension. The question becomes whether we are peacemakers or participants in division.
This passage is not meant to shame us, but to shape us. Each of us has fallen short in one or more of these areas, but God’s grace meets us in our awareness. He does not reveal these things to condemn us, but to transform us. Psalms 51:10 expresses this beautifully: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” This is an invitation to reflect, repent, and realign. When our hearts align with God, our lives begin to reflect Him.
Closing Prayer
Father God, thank You for Your Word that corrects us in love. We ask that You search our hearts and remove anything that is not like You. Where there is pride, give us humility. Where there is dishonesty, establish truth. Where there is division, make us peacemakers. Transform our thoughts, our words, and our actions so that we reflect Your character in all we do. We surrender fully to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.