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
Proverbs 6:16-19 gives us a list of seven things that are an abomination to God. This is a mixture of things that are both a little surprising and some that are what I would expect to be an abomination to Him. Some of them are very easy to believe but some are things that we are all guilty of, things that we most likely consider not that bad. This week we are going to look at these seven things that are an abomination to Him.
Haughty - higher or raised up. Let’s be honest, we have all looked at someone and thought of ourselves as better in some way – stronger, wiser, higher, more intelligent, more dignified, etc. Maybe it was in Walmart, maybe it was at work, maybe at church. It doesn’t seem like a horrible thing compared to other sins, right? Are you looking down your nose at others in your circle of influence, or someone out of your circle? This could happen without giving it much thought.
We should regard this carefully, because obviously, it is important enough to God to make the top seven. Behind haughty eyes there is a haughty spirit or a proud heart, that sends this message. And if you have ever caught the haughty eye look from someone else, you know how deeply it cuts. This is important. God does not want us to think we are better than others, and He especially does not want us to treat others like they are beneath us, even with a look. Comparison plays a role here also. We all seem to be constantly comparing ourselves, measuring ourselves against one another, looking for proof that we are worth something. Comparing ourselves by looking down on others only temporarily gives us a sense of worth that in the end will hurt others and ourselves.
God gives many examples in the Bible of how He brings down the haughty and proud. Two times in Proverbs He warns that haughtiness precedes destruction – Proverbs 16:18and Proverbs 18:12. Pride and haughtiness are at the center of all other sin. When we are haughty or prideful, we are the center of our world. We put ourselves above all others, even God.
Check your heart and your eyes and make sure that the message you are communicating with the world is one of love and acceptance. Turn your eyes up, but not in haughtiness. Look up to your Heavenly Father to find your worth and keep you grounded. He doesn’t look down on us with haughtiness, but with love. Think about your Heavenly Father’s eyes on you. He looks at us with love and grace and mercy. He wants us to look at others through eyes of love, acceptance, and kindness.
Scripture to Claim:
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…Colossians 3:12
