There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. (Proverbs 6:16–19, NIV)
The Ten Commandments of Exodus 20 have become “controversial” in the U.S. There are movements of radicals who want them removed from schools and public places. Far be it from any society much less one founded on Judea-Christian virtues—to decry publicly behaviors like stealing, lying, adultery, atheism, covetousness, and murder! But focus on the Big Ten sometimes removes attention from the hundreds of commands, exhortations, principles, and guidelines the Scriptures contain outside of Exodus and the Torah.
The passage above is one example. It describes seven attributes that God “hates.” It would seem self-evident that anyone with a scintilla of fear of God would try to avoid things on His “hate shortlist”!
The seven are not isolated from each other. I think they often come as a package. People who are quick to rush into evil are probably not hesitant to lie, devise wicked schemes, stir up conflict, and strut around with a proud look or “haughty eyes.” People who are proud liars might well be more likely to stir up conflict, and so on.
Principle: Evil behavior is like cancer; it seldom is seen in a single cell but commonly in a “mass” of interconnected, rapidly multiplying, sinful practices.
If lying is no big deal in this culture, condemning a proud or “haughty” look is clearly absurd. The “IT” look is the trademark of Hollywood men and women, fashion magazines, the red carpet, and a host of other venues. Why would God make such a big deal about it? Simple. An arrogance that shows itself in external demeanor, clothing, accessories, and such provides State Exhibit A that the person is not “clothed in humility.” Such a person—never humbled before God—perceives himself or herself as personally godlike. God stands no rivals…because He has no real ones.
Principle: The root of most other behaviors God hates is self-exaltation. Only those who get to the place where they recognize that life is all about God and nothing about their ego are truly blessed.
I’ve already dealt with lying in other portions of these short essays. But I can’t resist emphasizing that, as stated here, lying made the short list of things God hates—two of the seven! This seems nonsensical in a culture in which lying is “no big deal.” Advertisers misrepresent their products, PR people “spin” to us, people who swear an oath to tell the truth in court perjure themselves, even high officials in government lie to us making promises they have no intention of keeping then using cover-up lies when they are caught. Let no one deceive you; lying is a big deal to God.
Principle: A lie is the first drill hole in the Levee of Trust before the flood of falsehood inundates everyone secured by the protective wall of integrity.
[from “Wisdom for the Trenches” by Dr. Larry W. Poland]