“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.
These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren. Proverbs 6:16-18 AMP
A proud look
Proverbs 16:18 AMP says that, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” God hates pride because pride sets itself against God and His wisdom. Pride causes you to trust in yourself and not in Him. If you do not trust in Him, He cannot save you from the devil or yourself. Pride and arrogance cause you to close yourself off from godly instruction, which will save your life. Pride causes you to be unteachable and judgmental. When you are judgmental, you set yourself up to be judged more harshly yourself and God is trying to save your life from destruction and judgment. Pride will cause your heart to be closed off from God and therefore also closed off from all His wonderful blessings and the wonderful plans He has for your life.
6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.” 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:6+10 NKJV
When swelling and pride come, then emptiness and shame come also, but with the humble (those who are lowly, who have been pruned or chiseled by trial, and renounce self) are skillful and godly Wisdom and soundness. Proverbs 11:2 AMP
A lying tongue
God hates lying and He hates liars. It is impossible for God to lie and everyone who belongs to Him will keep their tongue from evil and their lips from speaking deceit (Psalms 34:13). Colossians 3:9 tells us not to lie to one another, because lying is part of our old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices and we ought to have stripped our old self off. Jesus said that the devil is a liar and the father of lies. He is a murderer there is no truth in him (John 8:44). If we are born-again and washed in the blood of Jesus then we must walk in truth and talk the truth.
Hands that shed innocent blood
Exodus 20:13 AMP says that, “You shall not commit murder.” God hates hands that shed innocent blood. He does not tolerate murder. Murder is not just an outward act – if you hate your brother in your heart, you are a murderer in your heart. Take steps immediately to forgive your brother and to begin to walk in love toward everyone.
We know that we have passed over out of death into Life by the fact that we love the brethren (our fellow Christians). He who does not love abides (remains, is held and kept continually) in [spiritual] death. 15 Anyone who hates (abominates, detests) his brother [in Christ] is [at heart] a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding (persevering) within him. 1 John 3:14-15 AMP
A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans
Behold, [the wicked man] conceives iniquity and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies. 15 He made a pit and hollowed it out and has fallen into the hole which he made [before the trap was completed]. 16 His mischief shall fall back in return upon his own head, and his violence come down [with the loose dirt] upon his own scalp. Psalms 7:14-16 AMP
God does not want people to waste time thinking about and planning evil for others, because mischief will come back on their own heads. It would be better to spend time planning good things to do to and for others.
Feet that are swift in running to evil
10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. 15 My son, do not walk in the way with them; restrain your foot from their path; 16 For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. 18 But [when these men set a trap for others] they are lying in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. Proverbs 1:10,15,16,18 AMP
When people are eager to sin and do evil, they destroy other people’s lives and also their own. God does not want anyone’s life destroyed. Proverbs 4:26-27 AMP says, “Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. 27 Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil.”
A false witness who breathes out lies even under oath
The ninth commandment, in Exodus 20:16, says that you should not bear false witness against your neighbor. God hates a false witness who lies about someone else and who gives a false testimony. Proverbs 19:9 AMP says that, “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he who breathes forth lies shall perish.”
He who sows discord among his brethren
Proverbs 16:28 AMP says that, “A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.” God hates strife and discord. If the devil can divide us, he can conquer us. James 4:1 AMP says, “What leads to strife (discord and feuds) and how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings) originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members?” These things arise out of people’s sensual, ungodly desires and result in division and separation. God desires oneness and unity in His body, not separation. When we are united we are strong and we can protect and help each other.