“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him.” – Proverbs 6:16
The Nature of God’s Hatred
As we explore the topic of God and His sentiments towards certain actions and behaviors, it becomes clear that His feelings are guided by His righteousness. God, in His infinite wisdom, expresses hatred not towards people, but rather towards sin. He detests actions that harm His creation, disrupt His order, and lead people astray. Understanding God’s hatred helps us recognize the seriousness of sin and encourages us to align our lives with His will. As we read through the scriptures, we can observe that God’s hatred often serves as a guideline for us to avoid certain behaviors that would not only distance us from Him, but also harm ourselves and others. We can rest assured that God’s hatred is born of love and a desire for genuine relationship.
Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that 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 one who sows discord among brothers.” – Proverbs 6:16-19
Psalm 5:5
“The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.” – Psalm 5:5
Psalm 11:5
“The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.” – Psalm 11:5
Malachi 1:3
“But Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” – Malachi 1:3
Romans 1:18
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” – Romans 1:18
The Hatred of Injustice
God’s heart breaks for the injustices we see in the world today. He deeply loathes anything that leads to injustice and oppression of the innocent. Justice is an important part of God’s character, and as His followers, we are commanded to uphold justice and righteousness in our own lives and communities. God’s hatred for injustice compels us to advocate for the oppressed and stand against wrongdoings. By loving others and fostering fairness and respect, we reflect God’s nature. Our call as Christians is not only to hate injustice but to actively work towards making our surroundings a place where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Isaiah 61:8
“For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong.” – Isaiah 61:8
Zechariah 8:17
“Do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.” – Zechariah 8:17
Amos 5:21-22
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them.” – Amos 5:21-22
Micah 6:8
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8
Lamentations 3:34-36
“…for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men. To crush underfoot all the prisoners of the earth, to deny a man justice in the presence of the Most High, to subvert a man in his lawsuit, the Lord does not approve.” – Lamentations 3:34-36
Hatred of Idolatry
As followers of Christ, we are called to have no other gods before Him. God hates idolatry because it steals our hearts away from Him, diverting our attention and trust to things that cannot save. When we place our trust in anything besides God, we are essentially worshipping the creation over the Creator. We must critically examine our lives and ensure that we are not falling into idolatry, whether it be through material possessions, status, or even unhealthy relationships. Being aware of where our allegiance truly lies is a vital part of our faith journey. Let us continue to turn our hearts towards God, recognizing that nothing compares to His greatness.
Exodus 20:4-5
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.” – Exodus 20:4-5
Deuteronomy 12:31
“You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods.” – Deuteronomy 12:31
Jeremiah 44:4
“Yet I persistently warned you, saying, ‘Oh, do not do this abominable thing that I hate!’” – Jeremiah 44:4
Revelation 21:8
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8
1 John 5:21
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” – 1 John 5:21
The Hatred of Sin
Sin is a barrier that separates us from God, and it is this separation that God utterly despises. His dislike for sin stems from His desire for us to have a close and intimate relationship with Him. Each of us faces temptations, and sometimes we might feel overwhelmed, but recognizing that God hates sin can motivate us to seek His help and guidance in overcoming those temptations. We find strength as we lean on His Spirit to resist sin and live a life that honors Him. By understanding God’s perspective on sin, we learn to see our own transgressions more seriously, leading us to repentance and restoration.
Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23
James 1:14-15
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” – James 1:14-15
Proverbs 8:13
“The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” – Proverbs 8:13
Galatians 5:19-21
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” – Galatians 5:19-21
Colossians 3:5
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” – Colossians 3:5
The Hatred of False Teaching
As we engage with our faith, it is vital to remain vigilant against teachings that are contrary to the truth of God’s Word. His hatred of false teachings arises from the fact that they mislead and confuse believers, ultimately leading them away from the truth of His love and grace. We, as a community of faith, need to stand firm in the truth and be aware of any teachings that divert us from the Gospel. By immersing ourselves in scripture and surrounding ourselves with fellow believers, we strengthen our understanding of God’s Word, which empowers us to discern and combat falsehood. Let us protect our faith and remain steadfast in the truth.
2 John 1:10-11
“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.” – 2 John 1:10-11
Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” – Matthew 7:15
Galatians 1:8
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” – Galatians 1:8
1 Timothy 6:3-5
“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.” – 1 Timothy 6:3-5
Acts 20:30
“And from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” – Acts 20:30
God’s Wrath against Sin
Understanding God’s hatred toward sin also leads us to recognize the seriousness of His wrath against unrighteousness. God’s wrath is not a random burst of anger but a righteous response to sin’s devastating effects on His creation. When we choose to live in a way that contradicts God’s commands, it beckons His judgment. We should feel encouraged knowing that repentance opens the door for forgiveness and healing. This aspect of God’s character helps us appreciate the grace extended to us in Jesus Christ, who took the punishment for our sins upon Himself. As we contemplate God’s wrath, we are also led to understand His mercy and magnificence, as He invites us back into fellowship.
Revelation 14:10
“He also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” – Revelation 14:10
Psalm 7:11
“God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day.” – Psalm 7:11
Ephesians 5:6
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” – Ephesians 5:6
Romans 2:5
“But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.” – Romans 2:5
Colossians 3:6
“On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” – Colossians 3:6
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on God’s position towards hatred, it becomes more evident that His dislike is directed at sin, injustice, and anything that harms our relationship with Him and one another. By understanding God’s disdain for certain behaviors, we gain insight into His desire for a loving and righteous path for us. We become vigilant against false teachings, encouraged to live justly, and to keep our hearts pure. Ultimately, God’s hatred is an expression of His love, guiding us toward growth and a deeper relationship with Him. As we navigate through life, let us continue to embrace the truth, knowing that we are called to rise above the things God detests.
We invite you to explore more topics like forsaking God and fornication and adultery. There’s so much wisdom waiting to be discovered!