Seven Sins Against the Holy Spirit

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 man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

The book of Proverbs is all about wisdom versus foolishness. Proverbs 26:25 says, speaking of the foolish person who rejects wisdom, "When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart." A person who does not fear God does not have understanding, does not walk in righteousness, and has no regard for the truth. He may be pleasant, well-mannered, polite, gracious, and an interesting communicator, but the fool is full of deceit, holding seven abominations in his heart. Proverbs 6:16-19 explains what these abominations are, these seven things that God hates:

God hates haughty eyes. Haughty implies lifting or exalting oneself up, pride, arrogance, and being consumed with self. Haughtiness is driven by looking down on others, an attitude of superiority and a lack of trust in God. God hates a lying tongue .Lying makes love impossible, truth difficult to find, and relationships awfully hard to sustain. God hates hands that shed innocent blood. God wants people, churches, and nations who live with integrity and who can be beacons of hope for others, standing on behalf of the innocent.

God hates a heart that devises wicked plans. He wants our thought lives to be honoring to Him, seeking His will and His kingdom, rather than plotting a way to do something wrong. God hates feet that run rapidly to evil.  We need to be like God, hating evil, rather than running fast to do it. God hates a false witness who utters lies. False witnesses who wrongly defame the reputation of others are a great evil in God's sight. We need to be careful of who we endorse lest we, thinking we are witnessing for the truth, are witnessing for what is false.

God hates one who spreads strife among brothers. We can spread strife by picking fights, by lying, by tempting, by teasing, and by just being difficult and having a bad attitude. Some people prefer contention and combat rather than peace and harmony. We should see growth and progression over time as the Holy Spirit gets rid of foolish habits, thoughts, attitudes, and actions. As Proverbs 4:18 says, "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn that shines brighter and brighter until the full day." This God loves.