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Presented by Lauren Stibgen
Are you doing what God hates at work? Let’s keep in mind that the book of Proverbs is not only instructing us what to do but also what not to do. The following verses in Proverbs six are not actually proverbs as we previously defined but are part of the poems in the first nine chapters of Proverbs. While not “proverbs” in a defined sense, these verses can help us consider things we should not do since God hates them. They can help us with our integrity at work.
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. (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Consider the weight of verse 16 that uses the words hate and abomination for how God feels about the actions listed. An abomination is a thing that causes disgust or hatred. If the goal of the book of Proverbs is to keep us closer to God with pleasing actions, this list should certainly matter to us. Salvation makes me grieve this greatly. I surely do not want God to be disgusted with my actions, or to hate what I am doing!
Haughty eyes. Are you coming across as arrogant or superior in an off-putting way? In pride, are you looking down at others at work. Do you brag about a project you have done, a promotion you have achieved? Does your body language speak to others in a way that makes them feel less than? Have you ever smirked or quietly chuckled at someone else’s expense? God hates this!
Proverbs 16:18 tell us what happens with this pride and haughtiness: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Destruction and a fall.
But there is wisdom. Verse 19 continues: It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Wisdom says, “be lowly in spirit.” As our example, in Matthew 11:29 Jesus tells us he is lowly in heart.
We just scratched the surface about one thing that God hates! And the list in the verses includes seven things! When we take time to look at the proverbs in chapters 10-29 of this book, we will find practical wisdom to keep us from doing these things God hates.
