Seven Detestable Acts in God's Eyes- They Aren't as Obvious as You Think!

Embracing a Life Aligned with God's Will

Proverbs, often called the book of wisdom, is like a hidden treasure chest waiting to be explored. In its pages, you'll find timeless guidance that is not only remarkably easy to read but also profoundly enlightening. It's a collection of powerful verses that can ignite a spark of curiosity within you. Take, for instance, Proverbs 6:16-19, a passage that unveils what the Lord finds detestable, offering insights that are both practical and spiritually enriching.

Proverbs 6:16-19 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.

1. Prideful arrogance (haughty eyes).

2. Dishonesty and deceit (a lying tongue).

3. The taking of innocent lives (hands that shed innocent blood).

4. Malicious intent and scheming (a heart that devises wicked schemes).

5. Hastiness in embracing wrongdoing (feet that rush into evil).

6. Bearing false witness (a false witness who pours out lies).

7. Instigating conflict within the community.

When we encounter a list of things that the Lord finds detestable, it serves as a powerful call to self-examination and spiritual reflection. As believers who rely on the Lord for guidance, provision, protection, and victory in our battles, we must recognize the significance of aligning our lives with His Word.

The detestable things mentioned in Proverbs 6:16-19 should lead us to an introspective dialogue with God, a sincere sit-down with ourselves, and a desire to cleanse our hearts.

Shouldn't we pause and reflect? If we lean on the Lord for every aspect of our lives, if we trust Him to be our guide, provider, protector, and defender, it becomes paramount that we wholeheartedly embrace ALL His divine principles. In doing so, we not only honor His will but also draw closer to the fullness of His grace and wisdom.

As Psalm 51:10 (NIV) beautifully articulates, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." This verse resonates with the profound importance of seeking purity and renewal, a heartfelt desire to be in alignment with God's Word. Through this, we cultivate a clean heart, allowing God's wisdom to guide us in all aspects of our lives, ensuring that we stand in harmony with His divine plan.

We have the choice to view life through the worldly perspective or through the lens of scripture. The worldly perspective often encourages us to validate our own ways and opinions over God's, but if our hearts are truly aligned with God's will, we can make a transformational change by repenting from our ways and instead, choosing to follow God's ways. Here's a deeper understanding to help rectify any misguided paths we might be on:

Verse 17: Haughty Eyes: "haughty eyes" refer to eyes filled with pride and arrogance. It's a warning against a self-important and disdainful attitude, often associated with looking down on others. It looks something like this:

When you dismiss others as beneath you.

When you believe your achievements make you superior.

When you show contempt for those with different goals.

When you think you're holier than others, similar to the Pharisee in Luke 18:11.

When you seek praise and glory at the expense of humility and others feelings.

Verse 18: A Lying Tongue: "a lying tongue" emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and honesty. Deceit and falsehood are condemned, and a truthful tongue is valued.

Let's recognize what a lying tongue is, as it helps us refine our identity in Christ. Our goal is to reflect Jesus, who is the embodiment of truth and The Word. If you identify with a lying tongue, then you are Outside the Identity of Christ.  It has several manifestations:

When you pretend to be someone you're not to fit in, you're using a lying tongue.

If you exaggerate your achievements or tell false stories to impress others, it's a form of dishonesty.

When you make excuses to avoid taking responsibility for your actions, you're not being truthful.

Spreading false information or gossip, even unintentionally, can harm others and reflects a lying tongue.

Failing to admit your mistakes or misdeeds when confronted is a form of deceit. Recognizing and confessing your errors is essential for personal growth and trustworthiness.

God's truth is evident in Matthew 15:18: "But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them." What we confess is a clear reflection of our heart. Your words serve as a canvas, painting a vivid picture of your heart. To truly understand your heart, one only needs to listen to your speech—its tone, choice of words, attitude, and expressions of love. When faced with challenges, your genuine self will inevitably surface through your words.

Verse 19: Hands that Shed Innocent Blood: "hands that shed innocent blood" condemns murder and violence, particularly the taking of the lives of innocent individuals.

We are aware of various forms of violence, such as murder, terrorism, domestic violence, and more. It's crucial to recognize that human trafficking is another grave issue that results in the exploitation, harm, and, at times, even loss of life for its victims. The list of such offenses is extensive, but the key message is to acknowledge the profound impact of human trafficking alongside these other forms of violence.

Verse 18: A Heart that Devises Wicked Schemes: "a heart that devises wicked schemes" warns against malicious intentions and unethical plotting. It encourages a heart filled with good and righteous intentions.

Planning to defraud or deceive someone for personal gain, such as financial scams.

Plotting revenge against someone, seeking to harm them emotionally or physically.

Organizing schemes to undermine a colleague's reputation or career out of jealousy.

Conspiring to commit a crime, like theft or embezzlement, with premeditated intent.

Devising manipulative tactics to control or harm a romantic partner or family member through emotional abuse or coercion.

Verse 18: Feet that are Quick to Rush into Evil: "feet that are quick to rush into evil" advises against hasty involvement in wrongdoing. It suggests taking time to consider one's actions and avoiding a rush into sinful activities.

Reacting with anger and aggression without first assessing a situation or trying to resolve conflicts peacefully.

Joining a group or engaging in illegal activities without fully understanding the consequences and moral implications.

Making impulsive decisions that harm oneself or others, such as reckless driving or substance abuse.

Participating in gossip or spreading false information without verifying the facts, leading to harm and division.

Engaging in cyberbullying or spreading harmful rumors on social media without thinking about the impact on others.

Verse 19: A False Witness who Pours Out Lies: "a false witness who pours out lies" speaks against bearing false witness and giving false testimony. This underscores the importance of truth in legal and moral contexts.

Providing false testimony in a court of law, leading to an unjust conviction or acquittal.

Spreading false accusations or rumors that damage a person's reputation or livelihood.

Falsifying evidence in order to win a legal case, undermining the integrity of the justice system.

Lying on an official document, such as a contract or affidavit, to achieve personal gain or avoid consequences.

Distorting the truth in religious or ethical matters, leading others astray and compromising the foundation of trust and faith.

Verse 19: 7. A Person who Stirs up Conflict in the Community: "a person who stirs up conflict in the community" discourages sowing discord among people. It highlights the value of harmony and peace within a community.

Spreading divisive rumors or gossip within a tight-knit neighborhood, causing tensions and mistrust among neighbors.

Inciting hostility within a workplace by manipulating coworkers and fostering a toxic atmosphere.

Creating discord within a religious congregation, or anywhere, by sowing dissent and causing members to split into opposing factions.

Using social media to spread inflammatory content and provoke conflicts among online communities or discussion groups.

Engaging in gossip or backbiting, causing friction and mistrust among family and/or community members.

What does God do, how does He feel when He detests or is displeased with certain actions or attitudes that we may have that go against His Word?

• Psalm 5:5 (New International Version): "The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong." This verse indicates that God hates wrongdoing and the arrogance.

Bye-bye presence of God. Farewell to the tangible presence of God. He never abandons or deserts us, but His presence may not always be readily apparent. Maintaining an atmosphere saturated with the presence of God should be a constant pursuit throughout every moment of our lives.

• Psalm 11:5 (New International Version): "The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence (physical and emotional), he hates with a passion." This verse shows that God hates those who engage in violence.

• Proverbs 16:5 (New International Version): "The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished." This verse emphasizes God's disapproval of pride.

Promised punishment? Honestly, I'm not a fan. I'd rather avoid it. My preference is to rectify my mistakes and live in the blessings.  Scripture is used for correcting errors.  I receive it. God disciplines those He loves.

• Proverbs 11:20 (New International Version): "The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless." This verse emphasizes God's delight in those who lead upright lives and His displeasure with those who are morally corrupt.

"Detest" means to intensely dislike or abhor. I couldn't bear the thought of God perceiving me in such a manner. No individual can bring me to such depths.

You might be tempted to continue down a path of detestable behavior, thinking that you've gone unchecked for so long that you'll remain unnoticed. Perhaps you believe that you don't need to be held accountable. But let me make it abundantly clear: God is in the business of exposing our actions. 

In these times, the darkness is growing darker, while the light is becoming more radiant. If you find yourself in this situation, know that the Holy Spirit has been speaking to your heart, convicting you to live with purity and to change your ways to align with Christ. Here are a couple of relevant Scriptures:

• Hebrews 4:13 (New International Version): "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

• Ephesians 5:8 (New International Version): "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light."

These verses reinforce the idea that God sees all, and as believers, we are called to live as children of light, which includes being accountable for our actions and living in alignment with God's will.

Matthew 12:36-37 (KJV): "But I say unto you, That every (empty) idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words, thou shalt be condemned." This Scripture holds a profound place in my daily life, making me keenly aware of the significance of my words and their accountability before God.

Empty and idle words hold no substance; they are shallow and offer no positive value to our lives. They lack the power to inspire or guide, and I would even describe them as wasteful and unproductive. When you find yourself in conversations that lack depth, love, or purpose, it's crucial to pause and redirect the discussion toward more meaningful subjects.

We must understand that when we stand before God, we will be held responsible for every idle and empty word we've spoken. Hence, it's prudent to lead a life that doesn't necessitate justifying trivial chatter used to fill voids. Life presents us with a multitude of choices, and we've previously explored matters of the heart that can lead us to a more fulfilling way of living than some of us may currently be experiencing.

God continually unveils our true selves through His Word. His Word, embodied in Jesus, serves as our mirror, reflecting His love to reveal what He desires from us. Read His love story, the Bible, for personal reflection, and share it with others to spread His message of love. Lord, I praise You for loving and changing me!

If you consider yourself a servant of God, an Ambassador of Christ, or a Christian, pay close attention to God's warnings and His call for transformation. Otherwise, you risk becoming a stumbling block to your own journey.

Too often, we point fingers at others or even the devil for our troubles, when in reality, our own choices and stubborn hearts are often to blame because we chose not to be obedient and harmonize our lives, words, and actions with God's heart in His Word.

Amanda Allen

www.KingdomRevelations.com