Proverbs 6:16-19: The Seven Deadly Sins

Proverbs 6:16-19:

"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."

Have you ever hated something with all of your heart? Perhaps it was your favorite sports team losing the Super Bowl or a bad grade on an assignment you worked really hard on. Whatever that thing may be (and whether it was a righteous anger or not), that anger within us shows us how God feels towards sin. Although we are often angry at unnecessary things, God shows us what righteous anger is in his hatred of sin. In Proverbs 6:16-19, the Bible tells us of seven sins that the Lord hates beyond all measure, often refered to as the seven deadly sins. Let us examine each of them today, so that we can learn how to hate sin as God hates sin.

The seven deadly sins spoken of in Proverbs 6 are as follows:

1. Haughty Eyes

2. Lying Tounges

3. Murdering Hands

4. Wicked Hearts

5. Evil Feet

6. False Witnesses

7. Aguing Brothers

The first sin that God hates is the sin of having haughty eyes. Matthew Henry says in his commentary on this verse that "there are seven things that God hates, and pride is the first, because it is at the bottom of much sin and gives rise to it." Haughty eyes speaks of one being so prideful and arrogant that he sees himself as superior to all of those around him. Such a sin is hated deeply by our God.

The second sin that God hates is lying. We know this from the ten commandments, but we find it again here. Lying shows that inside of our hearts there is a deep want for deception and neglect of the truth. God hates this, but rather encourages us to confess our sin and to tell the truth, as he is truth.

The third sin that God hates is murder. God does not tolerate any destruction of those who deserve to die. Now, before we think that this sin is far from us, let us consider the modern development of abortion. Countless numbers of innocent children have been murdered through abortion, and this is a sin that our God hates with all of his being. Although many of us have most likely not participated in this practice (Although, if you have, do not be condemned! God has mercy on his children!), do we actively and correctly stand against it?

The fourth sin that the God hates is a wicked heart. The actual text speaks of a heart that "devises wicked plans." This is the heart that stays awake at night and plans out how he will sin the next morning. This is the heart that sins in order to get what he wants and sins if he does not get what he wants.*

The fifth sin that God hates is "feet that make haste to run to evil." God does not delight in the feet that quickly sprint towards temptation once they hear its sound. Rather, God delights in those who refuse temptation and the allures of evil.

The sixth sin that God hates is false witness. God has great anger towards those who pervert justice. God is a just God, who does not tolerate any perversion of justice towards anyone.

The final sin that God hates is a brother (or sister) prone to argue. Have you ever met one of those people who cannot help but get in an argument with someone (or perhaps you are that person?)? Scripture tells us here that God hates the actions of those who sow discord unnecessarily.

So, where's the application this morning? A couple things: firstly, we ought to hate sin as God hates sin. As you were reading the seven descriptions above, I hope that you were convicted that you in fact commit many of those sins each and every day. We ought not to do so, but rather hate these sins rather than delighting in them. Secondly, we ought to realize the greatness of God's mercy. You and I have committed each and every one of the above sins, yet for those of us who are saved God has covered us in Christ's blood so that we might not bear the punishment for our sin. Praise the Lord! His mercy is more!

*Credit where credit is due, Dr. Heath Lambert originally coined this phrase.