The other side of God

Read Proverbs 6.

The character of the God of the Bible is love and grace.  Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).   Unfortunately, some only hear the word "free" and proceed to abuse the grace of God by violating His truth.  The LORD is also a God of justice, accountability, and, yes, there are things that God hates.

This chapter contains no less than five sections of warning.  These are not mere suggestions or principles but red flags of what to urgently avoid.  Putting ourselves at risk by co-signing a loan for a non-family member is foolish.  Committing adultery will compound sin upon sin.  But a person's character remains the core of all behaviors.

Here are seven character traits God hates from verses 16-19.
1. Haughty eyes.
Both Old and New Testaments condemn personal pride.  "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)
2. Lying.
Jesus said, "I am....the truth" (John 14:6)  To believe in Jesus is to come to the truth about who God is, what He has done for us, and what He says about us.  A genuine Christian lives out the truth of God's Word.  The sin of lying destroys all credibility of our message to a world that needs to know Him.
3. Murder of the innocent.
Chapter one warns against associating with those who are lawless and ambush people for sport.  Killing for the sake of blood-thirst reveals the ultimate violence that God hates.
4. Planning to sin.
Some dream and then plot how they could sin.  Whether that means fraudulent financial scheming or sexual sin, the heart becomes obsessed with doing evil, instead planning to do good.
5. Running to do evil.
There is no planning here.  In quick fashion, when the opportunity to sin presents itself, the person jumps at it.  God wants us to live lives of discipline and responsibility.
6. False witness.
This takes lying to a higher level.  No longer is the person lying about themselves but now they lie about other people.  Most often, this may be done for self-protection, self-promotion, or vengeance.
7. Sowing discord.
How many church families have been disarmed in their ministries due to rumor, gossip, and power plays of sinful people?  The effectiveness of a church, the health of any group of people, depends on the ability to lovingly work together.  To do otherwise is destructive and sin.  We are to serve one another "until we all attain to the unity of the faith." (Ephesians 4:13).