Understanding the Seven Things God Hates
If you’ve ever wondered what kinds of things really bother God, Proverbs 6:16-19 spells it out in plain language. In this passage, there’s a list of seven things God truly hates—not just mild dislikes, but actions and attitudes He finds detestable. Let’s break them down in everyday English:
· Haughty eyes (Pride): This means looking down on others, being arrogant, or thinking you’re better than everyone else.
· A lying tongue: Telling lies, whether big or small, is something God wants us to avoid. Honesty is important to Him.
· Hands that shed innocent blood: Hurting others, especially those who don’t deserve it, is one of the worst things you can do.
· A heart that devises wicked schemes: Plotting or planning to do something bad to others is another thing God detests.
· Feet that are quick to rush into evil: This means being eager or ready to do the wrong thing, jumping into trouble without thinking.
· A false witness who pours out lies: Similar to a lying tongue, but especially when your lies get others in trouble or cause harm in court or in the community.
· Someone who stirs up conflict in the community: Causing fights, drama, or division among people is something God really doesn’t like.
It’s also important to remember what comes just before these verses: God isn’t just upset with people who are lazy and do nothing, but even more with those who actively go out and cause harm, deceive, or create chaos.
So, what’s the takeaway for us? It’s not enough to notice these problems in others—we should look for them in ourselves and make sure we aren’t falling into these behaviors. God cares about how we treat people, and these seven things are especially harmful because they break down trust, peace, and kindness in our communities. If we want to live lives that are pleasing to God, we should do our best to avoid these actions and encourage others to do the same. It’s about choosing honesty, kindness, and unity every day.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 