“I will praise you, LORD. Although YOU WERE ANGRY with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.” (Isa. 12:1-2)
Why was God angry with us? Because, “…ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Rom. 3:23) God hates sin but there are other things that God hates! What does He hate, you ask? Solomon answers the question in the Book of Proverbs. We read: “These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 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 brethren” (Prov. 6:16-19)
- FIRST: God hates a proud look. The Bible says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18)
- SECOND: God hates a lying tongue. Where did we learn to lie? Isn’t it strange that children lie instinctively without being taught? Where did this blighting deceit come from? Jesus gave us the answer when He said to those who spoke a lie in His day, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do” (John 8:44)
- THIRD: God hates hands that shed innocent blood. The sixth commandment says, “You shall not murder” (Exo. 20:13)
- FOURTH: God hates a heart that devises evil imaginations. The law judges sin according to the act, but God judges us according to the evil of our hearts. “Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart…” (Matt. 5:28)
- FIFTH: God hates feet that are swift in running to mischief. “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to WALK WORTHY of the calling with which you were called…” (Eph. 4:1)
- SIXTH: God hates one who sows discord among brethren. “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law.” (Jam. 4:11)
What is the remedy for this, If that is us, we need to listen to what Jesus told Nicodemus, “I tell you the truth, unless you are BORN AGAIN, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) And respond to this, statement of Jesus, “If you love me, KEEP my commands.” (John 14:15)
-Bill Stockham