Hating What God Hates Series

INTRODUCTION:

We are coming back one last time to the book of Proverbs. If I were to sum up the purpose of the series “Wisdom for Right Living” I would do it with two words: THINK BIBLICALLY!

In America today its popular to say you believe in God, or call yourself a Christian. What is the difference between American Christianity and Biblical Christianity? The difference may be as great as the distinction between heaven and hell. It is not good enough to just call ourselves Christians; we must think and live our lives biblically—in obedient surrender to God’s word.

A well know Christian was being interviewed on the radio. The host asked, “How would you defend Christianity?”

“I can’t defend Christianity.”

“But I thought you were a Christian, why won’t you defend Christianity?”

“I am a Christian, but Christianity means something different to you and to me—there are as many different definitions of Christianity as there are listeners. I can’t defend Christianity, but I can talk with you about the love of Jesus and how he has changed my life.”

Bottom line—biblical Christianity is not a religion; it’s a relationship with Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God. The world does not need more “Christians.” The world needs more men and women who are more in love with Jesus.

When you love Jesus, you will live your life differently. Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word” (John 14:23 MsgB). That’s genuine biblical Christianity!

Someone has said, “The secret to godly living is simple: LOVE WHAT GOD LOVES AND HATE WHAT GOD HATES.” Therein is our 10th key to wisdom for right living.

Key #10: Love what God loves and hate what God hates. (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Some of us may have a difficult time thinking about God hating anything. The bible tells us God is love. Sometimes we make the mistake of picturing God like an old grandpa who just passively accepts us as we are. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The capacity to love is defined by one’s capacity to hate. The deeper one loves the more you will hate anything that threatens the one you love.

• 1 John 3:1 (MsgB)

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are.

God loves you with an infinite love; His love for you will never fail. Because God loves you with such a great love, He hates the things that would separate you from His love. Let’s be clear: GOD LOVES PEOPLE, BUT HATES THEIR SIN. Those who choose to hold on to their sin separate themselves from God. In His love God made a way for man to be reconciled to God—“while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly”—but many choose to reject God’s love and prefer their sin instead. Thus God hates sin all the more because it separates Him from those He loves.

• Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV)

[16]There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: [17] haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, [18] a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, [19] a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

• Proverbs 6:16 (MsgB)

Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion.

Hate is a pretty strong emotion. Hebrew= Saw-nay’; to hate personally:-enemy, foe, hate utterly. “Detestable”, Hebrew=To-ay-baw’; something disgusting, repulsive, an abomination.

Here are things that are morally detestable and nauseating to God. In other words, God hates these things because they make Him sick.

Sin puts us on a slippery slope. Each compromise we make—each temptation we yield to takes us further down the hill closer and closer to the jagged cliff of death and destruction. Sin isn’t satisfied with just a little. Sin won’t be satisfied until it has taken control of every part of who you are.

The downward spiral of sin can be seen in these six sins God hates and the final one which is detestable to the Lord.

1. GOD HATES HAUGHTY EYES.

The eyes have been called the window to the soul. Our eyes can reveal the emotion of the heart—the sparkle of love, the tears of joy or sorrow, the hollow eyes of despair, the red hot eyes of anger, or the haughty eyes of pride.

• Proverbs 16:5 (NIV)

The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

• Proverbs 16:18 (MsgB)

First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.

During a Civil War battle Union General John Sedgwick was inspecting his troops. At one point he came to a fortification from which he overlooked the Confederate Army. One of his officers suggested it was unwise to stand overlooking the enemy and should duck. “Nonsense,” snapped the general; “they can’t hit an elephant at this distance.” A moment later Sedgwick fell to the ground fatally wounded.