SEVEN THINGS GOD HATES
April 2016
Let us consider some Bible passages where the word “hate” is used in connection with God. But before we do that it would be beneficial for us to understand the Biblical meaning of the word hate and how God truly feels concerning this word “hate.”
Hebrew – śânê' – used 68 times in the OT and its primary meanings are hate, enemy, foe, hateful, haters, and odious.
Greek – “miseō” - used 41 times in the NT and its principal meaning comes from a primary word “misos” which means to pursue with hatred, enmity, or to detest (especially to persecute); by extension to love less.
The Bible uses this term hate in two ways; one is used in the pursuit of righteousness and the other as an unrighteous emotion of sin. In the pursuit of righteousness we see it used in Psalm 97:10a; “Let those who love the Lord hate evil.” In the unrighteous emotion of sin we see it used in the Sermon on the Mount “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:22). In fact this emotion is so distasteful to God that in 1 John 2:9, 11 we are told that a man who hates is said to be walking in darkness, as opposed to the light, which means that he is opposed to God. 1st John 1:5-6 tells us that “This is the message which we have heard from Him (Jesus) and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. (6) If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia gives this definition and explanation of how “hate” is used Biblically. A feeling of strong antagonism and dislike, generally malevolent and prompting to injury (the opposite of love); sometimes born of moral resentment. Alike in the Old Testament and New Testament, hate of the malevolent sort is unsparingly condemned (Numbers 35:20; Psalm 109:5; Proverbs 10:12; Titus 3:3; 1st John 3:15), but in the Old Testament hatred of evil and evil-doers, purged of personal malice, is commended (Psalm 97:10, 101:3, 139:21, 139:22, etc.). The New Testament law softens this feeling as regards persons, bringing it under the higher law of love (Matthew 5:14, 43, compare Romans 12:17-21), while intensifying the hatred of evil (Jude 1:23; Revelation 2:6). God himself is hated by the wicked (Exodus 20:5; Psalm 139:21; compare Romans 8:7). Sometimes, however, the word “hate” is used hyperbolically in a relative sense to express only the strong preference of one to another. God loved Jacob, but hated Esau (Malachi 1:3; Romans 9:13); father and mother are to be hated in comparison with Christ (Luke 14:26; compare Matthew 10:37).
Devilish hatred comes in two forms open and subtle both have but one purpose that is to hurt, steal, kill and destroy (Ref. John 10:10; 1st Peter 5:8). Open hatred is easily recognized and there is no need to expound on the forms it takes. However the subtle types of devilish hatred are harder to recognize and deal with because they come in un-noticed and soft and concealed forms. They often are presented in ways that are billed as beneficial and appealing. Abortion for example; when first presented was a beneficial procedure eliminating and unwanted physical manifestation of “making love.” Never once was it presented as murder of an unwanted living human being. In fact for many years it was said that the fetus was not human nor was it alive. Thank God we now know better and anyone who aborts a fetus is made aware that they are committing murder, even though they are also told of all the benefits of such a procedure.
Ever really notice pharmaceutical ads on TV? The first 25 seconds are about the benefits of a new drug. Take special notice however of the last 5 to 10 seconds; extremely quick and barely understandable are presented the side effects. The one I noticed was the one regarding green toenails. You remember it had this adorable green blob as the bad guy! He was removed from his place of residence with continuous use of the new drug. Well at the end of the ad we were told about the side effects some so severe that they included strokes, heart attacks and even death. Many people, because of the subtlety in which they were presented did not even acknowledge them or notice them or worse they considered them unimportant. Ask yourself why do companies write these evils in what is called “small print?” Could it be that they know we will not take the time
to confront them or if presented just right we would not even take notice? Could this be the reason that the Bible warns us to “be sober, be vigilant” because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour? Yes, I believe so!
On the other hand, Godly hatred only comes in one way and that is to aggressively confront evil in all forms “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (18) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saint” (Ephesians 6:11-18). We are also told that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2nd Timothy 3:16). Did you notice what it is supposed to be used and profitable for? I sure hope you did! When is the Lord’s people going to stand for what they believe and battle the whiles of the enemy? Is it going to be as a reaction to some evil that has direct consequences to our personal loves or are we going to be the aggressive army of victorious conquerors we are! Standing by and watching evil take all forms without an aggressive stance is sin! It will bring nothing more than destruction upon us our families our country and our world. Edmund Burke once said “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
Let us now take a look at a list of seven things that God hates. We find them listed in Proverbs: “There are six things which the Lord God hates, seven which are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and a man who sows discord among broth¬ers” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Surely, if God hates these things, we are to hate them also. Let’s look at them:
1. God hates “A Proud Look;” or, as the older translation has it, “haughty eyes.” If the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart (Matthew 12:34), it is safe to say that the eyes are the windows of the soul. No man can look at God until he has been cleansed by God’s grace and knows that his sins are forgiven. God hates the proud look and so must we, first in ourselves, and then in others and at the same time still love them. First, please notice, what is put at the top of the list. Pride! Because it is the main factor which drives men and women’s disobedience and rebellion against God’s laws. God knows that pride occupies a place very deep within our hearts and most sin stems from our pride. Pride was the first sin to destroy the calm of eternity. It was pride that cast Lucifer from heaven and it was pride that cost our first parents their place in Paradise. No sin is more offensive to God than the sin of pride. Pride has been referred to as the “complete anti-God state of mind.” God and pride are like oil and water— they don’t mix! Pride is dogmatic in its antagonism to God and God is absolute in His opposition to pride. The Creator never has and never will compromise with pride. The world system operates on the basis of pride for all that is in the world is lust and pride “for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1st John 2:16). This is why we are told to “come out from among them, and be ye separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I (God) will receive you” (2nd Corinthians 6:17).
2. God hates a lying tongue. This is understandable because Christ taught us that lying comes from Satan for he is the father of all lies and there is no truth in him (John 8:44). We are the children of Him whose very name is “truth” (John 14:6). Think about that for a minute; if we live in truth we must live in Him who is all truth, if we live in lies or deceit for lying is deceit (Proverbs 12:17) we must live in him who is known as the father of it. Proverbs 3:3-4 tells us how much God loves honesty. “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: (4) So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” While Proverbs 12:22 tells us how much God hates lying “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight” We must hate lying lips, our own first of all and then hate lies in whatever forms we find them, while we love the truth and seek to overcome error with bold proclamation of that truth. The bottom line for anyone who speaks lies is this; ”He that works deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that tells lies shall not tarry in my sight” (Psalm 101:7). Choice is yours!
3. God hates “hands that shed innocent blood.” At first sight it might seem that we could pass over this with only slight mention, for it is obvious that murder is a gross sin and that we should hate any thought of it. Truly all we must do is go back to the beginning to see how God reacts to murder. Refer to Genesis 4:8~. Cain kills Abel, Cain is discovered, Cain’s punishment Cain is cursed for all eternity for he can no longer walk with God. “And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; When you till the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth… Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden” (Genesis 4:11-12, 16). Cain’s reaction “And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear” (Genesis 4:13). The punishment for this sin has never changed. God hates the shedding of innocent blood. Therefore, what punishment awaits anyone who has had an abortion or anyone who has performed one; no excuses, tolerated.
4. God hates ‘a heart that devises wicked plans.’ Older translations read "a heart that devises wicked imaginations." God wants us to use our imaginations to think good things. What can we do to help others? “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). If therefore, according to this Scripture ones heart devises wicked plans where must that one’s heart be? We must understand that before salvation “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it” (Jeremiah 17:9)? And every intentions and reflections of the man’s heart is naturally evil. Man’s heart can be influenced by its own nature. The heart can devise evil plans either intentionally or unintentionally, due to the craftiness and temptations of the devil. They “who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips” (Psalm140:2-4), and “…. out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, …… All these evil things come from within and defile a man” (Mark7:21-23). Once salvation comes to man however, God immediately changes the old nature and gives us a new pure nature (Ref. 2nd Corinthians 5:17). A heart that seeks holiness, righteousness and the mind of Christ. That heart if truly Jesus’ cannot devise wicked plans. For “I (God) will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them” (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
5. God hates "feet that make haste to run to evil.” This implies carrying out mischief with eagerness and without delay that which has already been already devised in one’s heart as if they were afraid of losing time or were impatient of delay in a thing they are so yearning to do. It implies more than falling or sliding into sin, which is common to all but a longing to hasten to it (cf. Proverbs 1:16; Isaiah 59:7). God hates those who cooperate with evil doers; even more so if they are enthusiastic to do so. So also are we to hate all evil courses of action.
6. God hates "the false witness who breathes out lies." All of us are keenly aware that lying or bearing false witness is an abomination before God and the devil is the father of all lies, but what we might not know is that the devil incites us to lie. He wants God’s wrath to fall upon us (1st Kings 22:22; Acts 5:3). Lying is a characteristic of apostasy, especially in these last days (2nd Thessalonians 2:9; 1st Timothy 4:2). A liars punishment includes severe adversity in this world and especially in the world to come (cf. Psalms 5:6; 120:3-4; Proverbs 19:5; Jeremiah 50:36; Revelation 21:27; 22:15). Read Hosea 4:1-3 you will notice an awful account of sin and some of the deadly branches associated with it. But the most awful part of it is, that the Israel of God (believers), that is here spoken of. Sin is sin in any nation, and the crimes here itemized are horrible wherever they are found. But when God’s people are the first in the transgression, this makes sin exceeding sinful. Reader! do not overlook this; it is a sad proof where the whole world daily demonstrates its fallen nature, it is the mass of corruption abounding everywhere, let us not be apart.
7. God hates “a man who sows discord among brethren.” Let us look at two of God’s commandments one in the Old Testament the ninth of the ten commandments and one right out of Jesus’ mouth in the New Testament, found in the Sermon on the Mount,. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16); and “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). The seventh thing that God hates in Proverbs 6 contradicts each of these commandments. The first “bearing false witness” refers to lying about your neighbor whether it be for good or evil. For it can only produce discord, embarrassment, strife, contention, quarreling and brawling between brethren. The New Testament Sermon on the Mount refers to the action that prevents discord. God’s desire is only for unity amongst the brethren, for unity produces the fruit of peace.
Let us take a closer look for a moment at Ephesians Four. Verses 1-3 shows the attitude in which the unity of the Church is to be maintained. Verses 4-6 sets forth the foundation upon which it rests. This passage is a brief summary of Christian doctrine. It defines the "foundation of the apostles and prophets" asserted in Ephesians 4:20, it is the groundwork of "every building" in God’s holy temple, the foundation upon which Paul’s Gentile readers, along with the Jewish saints, were growing into one holy temple in the Lord. Seven elements of unity are itemizes: one body, Spirit, hope; one Lord, faith, and baptism; one God and Father of all. They form a chain stretching from the Church on earth to God’s throne in the heavenlies. When we closely consider them, we find that the seven unities unite into three, centering in the Divine Trinity - the Spirit, the Son, and the Father. "Who is over all, and through all, and in all" (4:6).
Let us apply this to the Church of Jesus Christ where men have caused the worst divisions. If we are honest we must admit that God does not want men to be separated from each other but that the desirable way of life is to love one another which brings unity. For Christians to be at variance with one another is a bad testimony. Remember Genesis 11:1-4 when in verse one it states that the whole earth had one language and one speech there was total unity amongst the inhabitants. They thought alike, they spoke alike, communication was not a problem, neither was there purpose. Their plan was to build a city and a tower, whose top should be in heaven, i.e., reach to the sky, to make for themselves a name, a reputation, to set up a memorial for themselves so that they might not be scattered over the whole earth (cf. Isaiah 63:11-14; Jeremiah 32:20, etc.). However, according to God’s divine purpose, men were to fill the earth, i.e., to spread over the whole earth, not to separate. But the fact that they were afraid of dispersion is proof that the inward spiritual bond of unity and fellowship, not only “the oneness of their God and their worship,” but also the unity based on God’s foundation of a spiritual love, was already broken by sin. Consequently their undertaking was to be used to preserve and consolidate by outward physical means the unity which was already inwardly lost and it could not be successful. God knowing this and knowing there thoughts were only for evil and self-exaltation was not pleased because He knew that there was nothing they could not accomplish and it would bring nothing but wickedness. God’s solution was to cause discord amongst the inhabitants of earth in order to facilitate His original plan for dispersion, not separation. This plan worked very effectively, the tower was left and the people disbursed throughout the whole earth fulfilling God’s original command (Genesis 11: 6-8).
The devil seeing how effective God’s plan was is now using this plan to destroy the Godly unity Christ established on the cross of Calvary. When we acknowledge Christ atonement we are adopted into one family we are no longer aliens but sons of God with the same father, spirit, mind and purpose we are brought into the unity of the Holy Spirit (Ref. Ephesians 2:12-18). In this perfect Godly unity once again just like in Genesis “nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” The devil will do anything he can to Christ’s family to prevent this, for he knows it will spell his end. This as you can see is why sowing discord is such an abomination to God and why He hates it. Let us all strive to unify! Throw away our petty difference and seek after that which will unify us all the more. It is absolutely vital that we come into unity before Christ’s second coming in order for us to survive the coming tribulation.
INIQUITY AND SOLEMN ASSEMBLY
Leaving this list of God’s hatreds in the Book of Proverbs, let us look further into the Word of God to see what other things He has recorded as objects of His abhorrence. False religion is one! Several passages speak of God’s hatred for false religion. God has set His own stand¬ards and shows great hatred against any variance from that which He has planned and proclaimed. Some think that one religion is as good as another, but that is not true. There is truth, which is of God; then there is the Devil’s deceptions. Therefore, when a Christian speaks of freedom of religion he means “the right of every man to go to Hell in his own way or to go to Heaven in God’s way.” This difference must ever be determined by faith in Christ and the Word of God (cf. Deuteronomy 30:19; John 3:3, 16-17, 5:24, 6:47; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 2:21, 4:12, 16:31; Romans 1:16, 5:8, 10:9-10; 1st John 1:7 and more).
We must not think that God’s religious hatreds are confined to the abominations of the devil worshipers who were willing to offer their own children as sacrifices. There are objects of hatred within the bounds of Jewish and Christian liturgy which God describes in great detail. Through the prophet Isaiah, God voiced one of His greatest hatreds in connection with false religion. “When you come to appear before me, who requires of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of assemblies I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, and I am weary of bearing them. When you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:12-17).
LEST YOU BE HYPOCRITES
God’s people knew what they should do, but they maintained the form of religion without the virtues of spiritual living. God hates formal religion which comes from hypocritical hearts.
When we apply this to our day, we see that God loathes the re¬ligion that allows people to dress up in new clothes for Easter and Christmas and think more of their personal appearance than of the condition of their souls. We must be dressed in His righteousness. It is not that God does not want us to hold solemn assemblies, but He does not want them in a life of disobedience. Sincerity is the essence of worship, and any form of insincere worship is a stench in the nostrils of God, since it is not offered in Spirit and in truth.
In the light of all these great declarations of God’s hatred, how it behooves us to walk before Him humbly and with a great desire that He shall search our hearts, search our thoughts, and see if there is any wicked way in us! He commands us here to “abhor that which is evil and to cleave to that which is good” (Romans 12:9). As we learn to hate evil, we shall become more like God for we shall allow the Lord Jesus Christ to live through us and as a result we can become more like Him. The apostle Paul said it like this; “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” His life becomes our life. His love becomes our love and His hate becomes our hate. May the Lord teach us to hate the things that He hates and to love that which He loves!
GOODNESS IN ACTION
The last two verses of Romans 12:9 give us a complementary com¬mand, "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good" If we are to be like God, we must be against sin. If we are to be like God we must also love righteousness and hold fast to it. Some¬one might observe that this is obvious and needs no discussion; but the very presence of this command in the Bible reveals that there is a tendency in mankind to allow the good to slip away. We must hold fast to it. The mediocre ranks of Christianity has many inhabitants. The dim path of compromise is well traveled. The world of taking things as they are, being satisfied with the status quo, holds great attraction for multitudes. The foggy atmosphere of half-truths obscures the landscape and causes all too many to go astray. The old proverb that “the good is the enemy of the best” should be supplemented by the truth that the lazy, the compromising and the mediocre are also the enemy of good. Remember "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it (Matthew 7:13).
In His love and service
Your Brother in Christ
Rev. Mario A. Bruni D.D.
Numbers 6:24-26
