15 Things God Hates That Can Harm Your Spiritual Journey
The Bible often speaks of God’s love and mercy, but it also makes clear that there are behaviors and attitudes God dislikes. While it may be surprising to think about things God hates, understanding these can help us reflect on our own lives and choices.
These teachings serve as a guide, showing us what to avoid in order to live in harmony with God’s will. In this article, we’ll explore the specific actions and traits that scripture reveals as being particularly displeasing to God.
Understanding Hate in a Biblical Context
The word “hate” in the Bible can sometimes be misunderstood, especially when applied to God. When we think of hate, we often associate it with strong negative emotions, resentment, or hostility that humans experience. However, God’s hatred is not driven by such emotions but rather by His perfect justice, righteousness, and holiness.
In the Bible, “hate” often reflects a rejection of sin and unrighteousness. It’s not about despising individuals, but rather opposing actions, behaviors, or attitudes that lead people away from His will and cause harm to others. God’s hatred of certain things comes from His love for humanity and His desire for people to live in a way that promotes justice, kindness, and truth.
In essence, God’s “hate” is part of His divine nature that seeks to protect and nurture goodness, justice, and peace. It serves as a warning and a guide to help believers avoid destructive paths and pursue a life of virtue and alignment with God’s will.
Seven Things God Hates (Based on Proverbs 6:16-19)
Image source: Pinterest
In Proverbs 6:16-19, the Bible explicitly lists seven things that God hates. These are not arbitrary dislikes but actions and attitudes that violate God’s moral order, disrupt human relationships, and promote injustice. Let’s take a closer look at these seven things and why they are so strongly opposed in scripture:
1. Haughty Eyes (Pride)
Pride is the first on the list, and it’s often seen as the root of many other sins. “Haughty eyes” refer to arrogance and an attitude of superiority over others. In the Bible, pride is viewed as a barrier between humans and God because it leads people to trust in themselves rather than God.
It can foster division, as those who are prideful may look down on others and fail to see their own need for humility. Proverbs 16:18 famously states, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” In contrast, humility is highly valued in God’s eyes.
2. A Lying Tongue
Lying is more than just a moral failing in God’s eyes—it’s a direct contradiction to the truth, which God embodies. A “lying tongue” creates deception, sows distrust, and harms relationships. The Bible emphasizes the importance of truthfulness, as lies can lead to harm, misunderstanding, and division.
In John 8:44, Satan is referred to as the “father of lies,” indicating that falsehood aligns with evil. God, being the source of all truth, despises dishonesty and commands His followers to speak with integrity.
3. Hands that Shed Innocent Blood
God’s hatred for violence, especially when it involves the shedding of innocent blood, reflects His deep value for life. This phrase condemns murder and unjust killing. Throughout the Bible, God speaks of justice, protecting the vulnerable, and punishing those who commit acts of violence against innocent people.
In the Ten Commandments, “You shall not murder” is a fundamental directive. God is just and protective of human life, which He considers sacred. To take an innocent life is to violate the core of God’s justice and compassion.
4. A Heart that Devises Wicked Plans
This refers to people who intentionally scheme and plot evil actions. It’s not just the act of wrongdoing that God hates, but the deliberate planning of it. Those who “devise wicked plans” are actively looking for ways to harm others or pursue unethical goals for personal gain.
The Bible warns against such premeditated evil, as it reflects a heart far from God. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” God desires pure and sincere hearts that seek goodness, not evil.
5. Feet that Run Swiftly to Evil
This phrase points to those who are eager to engage in wrongdoings. It’s not just about doing wrong, but being quick and eager to do so. This eagerness to sin indicates a hardened heart that embraces evil instead of resisting it. Rather than turning away from temptation, these individuals rush towards it.
The Bible encourages believers to flee from evil and temptation, but “feet that run to evil” represent the opposite: a willingness to pursue sinful behavior without hesitation.
6. A False Witness Who Breathes Out Lies
While this overlaps with “a lying tongue,” a false witness specifically refers to those who lie in a legal or official capacity, especially in ways that harm others. Bearing false witness can ruin reputations, destroy trust, and lead to unjust consequences for innocent people.
In Exodus 20:16, one of the Ten Commandments states, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor,” highlighting the seriousness of this sin. Truth is central to justice, and those who lie to manipulate or harm others are condemned.
7. One Who Sows Discord Among Brothers
God values unity and peace among people, and He despises actions that cause division. Those who “sow discord” are individuals who deliberately create conflict, stir up strife, and promote disunity, often out of selfish motives or malice.
This can happen within families, communities, or churches, and it is especially harmful because it erodes trust and harmony. God’s desire is for people to live in peace with one another, as reflected in Psalm 133:1, which says, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
Other Things God Hates in Scripture
Beyond the seven things mentioned in Proverbs 6:16-19, the Bible contains other behaviors and practices that God explicitly condemns. These are often rooted in sin, disobedience, and attitudes that directly oppose God’s nature and His desire for righteousness. Here are some additional things God hates, as highlighted throughout scripture:
1. Idolatry
Idolatry, or the worship of false gods or placing anything above God, is one of the most frequently condemned sins in the Bible. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God makes it clear that He alone is to be worshipped and revered. In Exodus 20:3, one of the Ten Commandments commands, “You shall have no other gods before me.”
Idolatry extends beyond worshipping statues or false deities; it can include anything that takes priority over God, such as money, power, or even personal ambitions. 1 John 5:21 warns believers, “Keep yourselves from idols.” God despises idolatry because it represents a rejection of His sovereignty and a turning away from the true source of life and salvation.
2. Injustice
Injustice is another key issue that God hates, particularly when it involves oppressing or mistreating the vulnerable. Throughout the Bible, God repeatedly expresses His concern for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner—those who are often marginalized by society.
In Isaiah 61:8, God says, “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing.” God’s heart for justice is clear: He despises any form of oppression or unfair treatment. This hatred of injustice also extends to corrupt leaders or judges who pervert justice for personal gain, as seen in Amos 5:24, where God calls for justice to “roll on like a river.”
3. Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy, particularly in religious practice, is strongly condemned by God. This refers to the act of outwardly pretending to be righteous while inwardly harboring sin or deceit. Jesus Himself rebuked the Pharisees and religious leaders for their hypocrisy in Matthew 23:27, comparing them to “whitewashed tombs,” clean on the outside but full of decay on the inside.
God despises hypocrisy because it represents falsehood and dishonesty, masking the true condition of a person’s heart. He values sincerity, integrity, and authenticity in worship and conduct, as highlighted in Isaiah 29:13, where God says, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
4. Sexual Immorality
The Bible is clear in its stance against sexual immorality, which encompasses a broad range of behaviors that go against God’s design for sexual relationships. This includes adultery, fornication, and other acts that violate the sanctity of marriage or the purity of one’s body, which is considered a temple of the Holy Spirit.
In 1 Corinthians 6:18, Paul urges believers to “flee from sexual immorality,” emphasizing that sexual sin is unique in that it is a sin against one’s own body. God’s hatred for sexual immorality stems from His desire for His people to live in holiness and purity, reflecting His nature. Sexual immorality not only damages individuals but also undermines relationships and families, which are central to God’s plan for humanity.
5. False Worship
Related to idolatry, false worship refers to worship that is insincere, hypocritical, or directed toward anything other than the true God. In Malachi 1:10, God expresses disdain for half-hearted offerings, saying, “I am not pleased with you… and I will accept no offering from your hands.” God values true, genuine worship that comes from a sincere heart.
False worship, whether it is going through the motions without a true relationship with God or worshiping with ulterior motives, is detested by God. He seeks those who worship Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), with their hearts fully devoted to Him.
6. Dishonest Scales (Deceptive Business Practices)
In both the Old and New Testaments, the Bible condemns dishonest business practices. In ancient times, “dishonest scales” were a metaphor for cheating or deception in trade. Proverbs 11:1 states, “The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.”
This reflects God’s broader concern for fairness, justice, and integrity in all areas of life, including commerce. God hates dishonesty in business because it not only cheats others but also reflects a lack of respect for ethical standards and for God’s laws. In today’s context, this extends to any kind of fraud, exploitation, or manipulation in economic dealings.
7. Murder and Violence
While Proverbs 6:17 mentions shedding innocent blood, the Bible also emphasizes God’s hatred for all forms of unjust violence and murder. Throughout scripture, God calls for peace, justice, and respect for life.
In Genesis 9:6, after the flood, God establishes that life is sacred, saying, “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.” God detests violence, particularly when it is motivated by hatred, greed, or revenge. Violence not only causes physical harm but also leads to spiritual and emotional destruction.
8. Deception
Beyond lying and false witness, the Bible broadly condemns any form of deception, including manipulating the truth for personal gain or leading others astray. In Psalm 101:7, God declares, “No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.”
Deception can take many forms, from dishonest speech to misleading actions, and it often creates distrust and division. God, being the embodiment of truth, hates deception because it stands in direct opposition to His nature.
