“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 person who stirs up conflict in the community.” Proverbs 6:16-19

Those in God’s family know how loving and merciful He is. He freely forgives our sins through Christ and overlooks our foolishness more times than not. So it’s a bit jarring to read in Scripture that there are things He considers detestable—things He actually hates and opposes. With all the sins we commit as people to choose from, we might wonder: “Why these particular seven? What is it about these practices that He sees as especially destructive?”

Throughout the Old Testament we become acquainted with the character of God. Certain core principles by which He desires to see the world operate become evident as we read through the Law, the prophets, and the history of Israel. These character traits of God, that He expected His people to adopt, included justice, righteousness, and compassion for others (especially the vulnerable). What’s striking about the seven sins listed in Proverbs 6 is that they directly oppose everything God stands for. They make it impossible to establish healthy, secure communities where God can be honored and love among mankind can flourish. No wonder He finds them detestable!

In order to practice these core principles that please God, we need to tackle some of our misconceptions. In modern western cultures, we generally think of “justice” as a courtroom term implying punishment. We desire to “see justice served” as a means of righting wrongs and providing a lawful way to seek revenge. But in God’s kingdom, justice has a much broader (more positive) meaning. To deal “justly” is to be fair, equitable, and truthful. Justice treats everyone with equal value and dignity regardless of their status or background. It’s based on the conviction that every human being is created in the image of God and should not be exploited or treated contemptuously. In our materialistic society, we sometimes allow the rich, privileged, powerful, and beautiful to be treated differently (better) than everyone else. When we do, we violate God’s justice. “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers” (James 2:8-9). “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed” (Isaiah 1:17).     

Righteousness is often misunderstood by us as well. Many have seen it as a religious term that involves piety, the dutiful practice of certain rites, and/or strict adherence to dress and dietary laws. Certainly, the Pharisees saw their righteousness in this way. Today, though, we have a tendency to go to the other extreme. After reading Paul’s letters, many Christians believe their righteousness is something only given to them by Christ when they’re saved—therefore it doesn’t matter how they live. After all, they argue, we can’t earn our salvation! While “imputed righteousness” is something we do receive upon new birth, enabling us to be forgiven of our sins and to enter God’s family, it doesn’t fully describe the biblical meaning of righteousness. Whether dealing with Israel under the Old Covenant or the church under the New Covenant, God expects His people to live out (model) His righteousness in their daily lives. That’s because they are reflections of the One they serve.

The apostle John points this out in 1 John 3:7, 18-19. “Do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he [Christ] is righteous. Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.”

We have a great advantage over those under the Old Covenant. We have the indwelling Holy Spirit, who helps us to “will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). But it’s not automatic … we must CHOOSE to follow God’s ways.  Our choices—like seed sown in a field—produce a certain kind of crop. “Do not be deceived, Paul wrote in Galatians 6:7-8, A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” James writes about two kinds of “wisdom”—one from above and one that’s devilish. Our lives will reflect which voice we’re listening to. “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:17-18). Like faith, righteousness involves both right belief and right action.

The third value that matters a great deal to God is compassion. This word is less likely to be misunderstood by us, but it’s no easier to put into practice. After all, we’ve lived for years with the unstated mantra that drives much of what we choose to do: What’s in it for me? Our inherently selfish nature tends to make us cavalier towards others’ needs. We attend to our own needs first, then those of our family or circle of friends. We might even extend compassion to those who share our values, but what about those we don’t like, those we look down on, those we see as enemies? Here’s where compassion gets really difficult. God expects His people—those who bear His name—to show love to everyone, even their enemies. Here’s how Jesus put it: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:44-45). In Ephesians 4 and 5 Paul writes: “You must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. Put off your old self to be made new in the attitude of your minds. Be imitators of God and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a sacrifice. Live as children of light and find out what PLEASES the Lord” (4:17, 22-23; 5:1, 8-10).  

Most of us know the name William Wilberforce. After becoming a Christian in 1785, he used his role in Parliament to push for the abolishment of the slave trade in England. He faced tremendous opposition for many years but never wavered in his pursuit of justice, righteousness, and the well-being of others. Legislation to put an end to slavery finally came in 1807. In his words, Wilberforce’s goal for life was: “May God enable me to have a single eye and a simple heart, desiring to please God, to do good to my fellow creatures, and to testify my gratitude to my adorable Redeemer.” His life, in short, mirrored Micah 6:8. “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Lord Jesus, I’m grateful to bear your name. Help me to hate what you hate and to love and work for what you value most. Work in me so I can reflect and model your justice, righteousness, and compassion. Above all else, I want to please you! So please enable me to choose those actions that honor you and advance your kingdom. Align my will with your good purposes for the world. In your holy and righteous name I pray, Amen.