“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
bible verses about what god hates
God Hates Pride
Pride can often lead us away from God’s grace. It encourages us to focus on ourselves instead of relying on Him. In the Bible, pride is frequently associated with sinful behavior and a lack of humility. When we let pride in our hearts, we place ourselves above others, and worse, above God. This attitude can create divisions among us, disrupting our relationships with both God and our fellow men. It is essential that we recognize pride and ask God to help us cultivate humility in our hearts.
Proverbs 16:5
“The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” – Proverbs 16:5
James 4:6
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'” – James 4:6
Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2
Psalms 101:5
“Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.” – Psalms 101:5
Proverbs 29:23
“The pride of a man brings him low, but a humble spirit gains honor.” – Proverbs 29:23
God Hates Lies
Lying is seen as a betrayal of trust and can cause significant harm to relationships. God desires honesty and truth among His people. When we lie, we not only break trust with others, but we also break our relationship with God. The Scriptures repeatedly affirm that honesty is a cornerstone of righteous living. As we strive to follow God’s ways, let us be diligent in speaking truthfully and encouraging others to do the same.
Proverbs 12:22
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” – Proverbs 12:22
Colossians 3:9
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.” – Colossians 3:9
Psalms 101:7
“No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.” – Psalms 101:7
Proverbs 6:17
“Hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil.” – Proverbs 6:17
Revelation 21:8
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8
God Hates Violence
Violence is destructive and leads to pain and suffering. In a world that often resorts to aggression, God calls us to peace and reconciliation. The bloodshed of innocent lives is particularly detestable to Him. As we live our lives, we are reminded that we should be advocates for peace and champions of love, showing compassion to others rather than resorting to violence. Together, we can promote a culture of peace and understanding in our communities.
Proverbs 6:17
“Hands that shed innocent blood.” – Proverbs 6:17
Isaiah 59:7
“Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways.” – Isaiah 59:7
Psalms 11:5
“The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.” – Psalms 11:5
Proverbs 3:31
“Do not envy a violent person or choose any of their ways.” – Proverbs 3:31
Ezekiel 18:23
“Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? Declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” – Ezekiel 18:23
God Hates False Witnesses
Bearing false witness is damaging both to individuals and to the community. In God’s eyes, those who distort the truth affect many lives. Integrity is vital in all aspects of our existence, and we are called to uphold justice and truth through our words and actions. Encouraging a culture of honesty and integrity allows us to reflect God’s heart in our communities. As followers of Christ, we want to uplift truth rather than propagate lies.
Exodus 20:16
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” – Exodus 20:16
Proverbs 19:5
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.” – Proverbs 19:5
Proverbs 14:25
“A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.” – Proverbs 14:25
Psalms 27:12
“Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.” – Psalms 27:12
Proverbs 6:19
“A false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” – Proverbs 6:19
God Hates Conflict
Conflict stirs division and discord. God wishes for unity within the body of Christ and encourages us to resolve disagreements in love. When we become instruments of strife rather than peace, it is displeasing to God. We should strive for harmony, understanding that God desires relationships rooted in love and mutual respect. It is upon us to promote peace, listening to one another and reconciling differences with love.
Proverbs 16:28
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” – Proverbs 16:28
Romans 14:19
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” – Romans 14:19
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9
James 3:18
“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” – James 3:18
Psalms 133:1
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” – Psalms 133:1
God Hates Idolatry
Idolatry takes many forms. It encompasses anything that takes the place of God in our lives. When we elevate material possessions, relationships, or ambitions above our relationship with God, we commit idolatry. He desires our hearts wholly, wanting us to love Him above all else. As we deepen our faith, let’s examine what holds priority in our lives, ensuring we look to God alone for guidance, fulfillment, and love.
Exodus 20:3
“You shall have no other gods before me.” – Exodus 20:3
1 John 5:21
“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” – 1 John 5:21
Isaiah 42:8
“I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.” – Isaiah 42:8
Deuteronomy 4:24
“For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” – Deuteronomy 4:24
Psalms 31:6
“I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord.” – Psalms 31:6
God Hates Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy involves saying one thing and doing another. It is a mask that we wear instead of living authentically. God desires our hearts to be genuine, not just our outward actions. When we live hypocritically, we misrepresent the powerful and transformative message of Christ. Let’s aim to cultivate true authenticity and act in accordance with our faith, reflecting God’s love and truth in all that we do.
Matthew 23:28
“In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” – Matthew 23:28
Luke 12:1
“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” – Luke 12:1
Psalms 26:4
“I do not sit with the deceitful, nor do I associate with hypocrites.” – Psalms 26:4
Isaiah 29:13
“The Lord says: ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.'” – Isaiah 29:13
Proverbs 24:9
“The schemes of folly are sin, and people detest a mocker.” – Proverbs 24:9
Final Thoughts
As we explore what God hates, we find ourselves called to live righteously. These verses remind us of the attitudes and actions that oppose God’s will. Through understanding these truths, we can take meaningful steps toward a life aligned with God’s desire for us. Let’s strive to eliminate pride and lies, seek peace over conflict, and put authenticity at the forefront of our lives.
We recognize that God’s heart longs for us to live in love and truth. By reflecting on what He hates, we can align our actions to foster a community enriched by His love. May we continually seek His guidance, letting go of the things that separate us from Him and from each other.
As we move forward in faith, let’s keep our hearts tuned to love, justice, and righteousness. Explore more with us through topics like justice for the oppressed and justice and righteousness, as we grow together in our understanding of God’s heart.