The Reason It’s Important to Know the 10 The Things God Hates

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We know God’s love is perfect, unfailing, and forever. We know He loves people. All people.

God our Savior, wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For . . . there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone.

1 Timothy 2:4–6

God loves. But does He also hate? If so, what does He hate?

I looked through several translations of the Bible and found the following verses which say the Lord hates:

Do not set up any stone pillar of idol worship; the Lord hates them.

Deuteronomy 16:22

The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. 

Psalm 11:5

There are six things the Lord hates—
    no, seven things he detests:
haughty eyes,
    a lying tongue,
    hands that kill the innocent,
a heart that plots evil,
    feet that race to do wrong,
a false witness who pours out lies,
    a person who sows discord in a family. 

Proverbs 6:15–19

“For I, the Lord, love justice.
  I hate robbery and wrongdoing.

Isaiah 61:8

For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel.

Malachi 2:16

10 Things God Hates

1. Idol Worship
2. Love for Violence
3. Prideful and Arrogant Behavior
4. Speaking Lies
5. Killing the Innocent
6. Planning and Doing Evil
7. Robbery
8. Divorce
9. Stirring up trouble in family and community
10. Sin

Do you see yourself? Yea, I see myself too!

It’s easier to say, “ain’t it awful” and “can you believe” and “well, I never.” But we must be careful with our judgments and accusations. No one is innocent. Everyone does things God hates.

My prayer is this – Father, break my heart for what breaks Yours. 

Sin breaks our Father’s heart. He hates it.

But He loves us. He loves us.

That’s the reason for this post.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote Christian Bullies because…

I believe we hurt the name of Christ when we call ourselves Christian and we’re mean.

There has to be a way for us to hate sin and love each other. Not saying “hate sin and love the sinner” but hate sin and love each other.

Why?

Because too often when we say, “hate the sin and love the sinner,” we’re talking about their sin, not ours. And when I’m analyzing your sin I’m not taking care of mine.

I read lots of blog posts. Lots of blog posts. And I struggle with those that are personal attacks on other bloggers’ posts.

Mommy wars. Theology wars. Behavior wars. Parenting wars.

We’re all sinners. Go back and look at the list of things God hates.

Look at numbers 3, 9, and 10. When you and I attack each other we sound prideful and arrogant. When we attack each other we’re stirring up trouble in the family of believers. And we’re all sinners. We all need to avoid doing the things God hates.

Cinderella

Rev and I saw the new stage version of Cinderella last week. “Cindy” was loving and kind to everyone in a kingdom where the favorite game was “Ridicule.” Her stepmother practiced and perfected her skills for the game on Cinderella.

Do you remember how the original story ends? Cinderella marries the prince while her stepmother and stepsisters get banished to the laundry where they spend the rest of their lives doing unpleasant and tedious labor.

In the new version…

Cinderella’s stepmother looks at her and says, “I know I’ve treated you horribly the last few years. It’s just that…”

Cinderella interrupts with, “I have three words for you. (long pause) I. Forgive. You.

There’s a new way in the kingdom. Forgiveness. Kindness. Love.

Jesus taught us a new and better way for kingdom living.

A way where we replace ridicule and finger-pointing with love and kindness.

I will still talk about sin and I think you should too. But we can talk about it in general terms and allow God to convict and change.

I’m praying for His forgiveness and for His help to forgive.  I’m practicing love and kindness. Will you join me? Maybe just maybe, we can turn the game of Ridicule into one of Encouragement and avoid doing the things God hates.

A Prayer to Hate What God Hates and Love Like Jesus

Father, please forgive me for being quick to point out sin in others while wilfully ignoring my own. You have given us Your Commandments and You have clearly told us the things You hate. Make me loving, forgiving, kind, and compassionate. Help me love like Jesus. Help me focus on glorifying You by extending Your love to the people You place around me. Perfect Your will in my life as I give myself to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

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