God is love. And because of this, certain things are hateful to him. This morning I did an informal study of things that God despises. Here are the scriptures I found (in no particular order):
“The devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but He takes the upright into His intimate counsel.” (Prov. 3:32*).
“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished” (Prov. 16:5).
“He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord” (Prov. 17:15, ESV).
“The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate” (Prov. 8:13, ESV).
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.” (Prov. 15:8–9).
“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” (Prov. 6:16–19).
(Personal comment: I was particularly intrigued about how God hates worship from hypocrites who are covering up their evil and oppressive ways:)
“Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! … I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. … Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:18–24, ESV).
“Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.” (Isaiah 1:12–14, ESV)
“Quit your worship charades. I can’t stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings— meetings, meetings, meetings—I can’t stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You’ve worn me out! I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning” (Isaiah 1:13–14, The Message).
*Most of these scriptures are from the English Standard Version and are noted accordingly. Some are combined from various versions, using the text comparison feature of Logos Bible Software.
