There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Solomon’s figure of speech, “there are six things, yes seven,” is probably a way of saying his list is specific and practical, but not exhaustive (compare Prov. 30:18, 21, 29). Surely there are many other things God considers sinful (1 Cor. 6:9-11, Rom. 1:22-32), but these seven deserve special attention here. Solomon poetically associates most of these sins with parts of the body, moving them out of the realm of abstraction and into the realm of daily life.
Haughty Eyes. Pride often finds expression in eyes that refuse to look with compassion at others in need, in a countenance that communicates self-importance. But pride is not just annoying to everyone else in the room—pride is “the lamp of the wicked” (Prov. 21:4) leading men toward all rebellion against God. It was the motivation for Satan to fall away from God and to attack His works (1 Timothy 3:6). Pride enthrones a man in his own mind, and pushes God out. But remember, “pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Prov. 16:18).
A Lying Tongue. The Bible often speaks of the power of the tongue, either to heal or to harm (Prov. 10:11, 12:18, 18:21). A lie seems like a trivial thing, but it is always Satan’s tool. Since God is truth, His disciples must speak the truth also (Eph. 4:25). Liars miss out on Heaven (Rev. 21:8).
Hands that Shed Innocent Blood. The taking of innocent life is never justified. How morally debased one must be to enter a convenience store or a home and cruelly murder another person! How completely deranged are those who enter shopping malls and schools to kill as many as possible. Also, when I hear this verse, I also cannot help but think of the million abortions performed in this country since 1973.
A Heart that Devises Wicked Plans. The heart is a person’s moral center. Jesus says, “from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries…” (Mark 7:21). Everyone struggles with these thoughts, but God hates the one who dwells upon them and connives to bring evil to pass. It’s one thing, for example, to accidentally come upon pornography and be momentarily unable to pull away, but it’s another to devise an elaborate scheme to get hold of it without your spouse or children finding out. Stumbling onto evil is bad enough, but premeditating evil is appalling.
Feet that Run Rapidly to Evil. Even the most faithful Christian occasionally gives in to temptation and commits an evil deed. Feeling terrible about his failure, he quickly repents. But feet that run rapidly to evil characterize a person who relishes evildoing. When he sees an opportunity to get involved in sin, he does not bother to try and hold back, but shamelessly rushes over.
A False Witness Who Utters Lies. What separates “false witness” from “a lying tongue” above? A false witness is one who tells lies in the specific context of a legal proceeding. When a person is accused of wrongdoing and is brought to trial, a witnesses’ testimony is as important as physical evidence. When a witness bears false testimony, either to cause an innocent man to be condemned, or to help a criminal escape punishment, he has completely upset the only way justice may be provided. Murderers may go free, innocent families may lose their homes, an upright man’s reputation may be forever spoiled. Deuteronomy 19:15-21 provides that a false witness shall suffer the same punishment he sought for the man he attempted to destroy.
One Who Spreads Strife Among Brothers. While it is precious and refreshing for “brothers to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1), it is nerve-wracking and destructive to the Lord’s cause when disharmony prevails in the church. Paul includes things like “enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions” among the things that will keep a person out of the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:16-21). The church is God’s household, God’s family (Acts 4:32-35, 1 Cor. 12:14-27). He who would introduce division into the church deserves God’s wrath.
—John Guzzetta