Seven Things The Lord Hates, Proverbs 6: 16-19

Dan Doyle

This passage really should come as no surprise to us, as these seven things mentioned in this passage are equally disturbing to us. Why? Paul tells us in Romans 2: 12-15, that, by nature, we have an awareness of the universal natural law within us. All human beings have an awareness of it and respond to it. This awareness of the natural law is revealed in our consciences that sometimes accuse us and at other times defend us in moral matters of all kinds. Yes, even those who have never heard of Jesus Christ have this awareness coded within them, as Paul reveals in the second chapter of his Letter to the Romans.

What are the things that the Lord hates? Proverbs lays it out quite clearly. “There are six things that 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” (Prov. 6:16-19). These human failings are very recognizable to us, are they not? This is because they are recognized universally, that is, by all human beings, as actions that are in defiance of the natural law inscribed on our consciences.

We Christians are challenged to recognize a very important reality here, that is, that those of us who want to teach it, to evangelize the truth of the faith to others, must become even more responsible for our behavior in accordance with the natural law inscribed by God on our hearts at our conception. Because we have the incredible grace of having been taught the Law of God through baptism, and through our connection to our faith communities, we are challenged by Jesus to go out to all the world and spread that good news. It follows, then, that we are obliged to live by that truth in our daily lives. Paul warns us, “You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: ‘God’s name is blasphemed among the gentiles because of you ‘” (Rom. 2:24).

If Paul is right then, and he is, it is universally natural for us to perceive that haughty eyes, lying tongues, hands that shed innocent blood, hearts that devise wicked schemes, those who are quick to do evil, those who bear false witness for their own unjust purposes, and those who stir up conflict in communities, should be abhorrent to us. Would it not seem wise, then, that we ought not to conduct ourselves in any of these ways ourselves? Should it not be wise that we ought not praise or follow any who do conduct themselves in any or all of these seven ways? And, if by chance, we do, does not our conscience accuse us?

In recognizing the gift of God’s Law, we should give humble thanks to God by living in accord with it in our daily lives. To live in accord with it is not easy. We must commit ourselves to the hard work of continually forming our conscience in accord with the Law of God. We do this by studying and reflecting on the word of God and through the daily practice of prayer. A prayerful life, after all, leads to a good life, a life well lived in concert with God’s law written on our hearts.

If our focus is on God rather than ourselves, this moral law becomes the truest, most certain path to true freedom and peace. God’s law does not confine us or constrict us; rather, in truth, it liberates us. It is not just in studying the law and the prophets; it is in living that law in our daily lives that makes us true disciples of God, yes, even saints.