What Does God Hate According to Scripture? The Complete Biblical List

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You're scrolling through social media when you see another public figure "canceled" for something they said years ago. The comments are brutal: "I hate people like this." "This behavior is disgusting." "They deserve everything they get." As you read the vitriol, you wonder: When people say they "hate" certain behaviors, are they wrong to feel that way? And how does our cultural moment of calling out harmful behaviors compare to what Scripture says God opposes?

Last week, we discovered something that might have surprised you. Biblical "hatred" isn't emotional fury—it's God's holy rejection of evil. His loving opposition to anything that harms his beloved creation. Understanding that distinction? It changes everything about reading difficult passages. But here's where it gets practical for your daily Bible study: What exactly does God oppose? And how does knowing this alter the way you approach challenging Bible passages?

Let me guide you through what Scripture reveals about God's stance against evil. When you understand what God hates and why, you'll gain powerful tools for interpreting some of the Bible's most challenging passages. And you'll be amazed at how relevant this ancient wisdom is for our messy, complicated modern world.

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The Seven Things God Hates: Proverbs 6:16-19

The most comprehensive biblical list of what God hates comes from Proverbs 6:16-19, and understanding how to read this passage will equip you to handle similar texts throughout Scripture:

"There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community."

Before we examine these seven items, here's a crucial Bible study skill that will serve you well beyond this passage. When you see this "six... seven" pattern in Hebrew literature, it's not God being indecisive about numbers. Ancient Hebrew writers used this ascending numerical pattern to create emphasis, like saying, "here's a complete list, and that final item? It deserves special attention." You'll see this same pattern throughout Proverbs and other wisdom literature.

This passage is wisdom literature—teaching material designed to reveal moral reality. Think of it like a loving parent explaining to their child which behaviors harm the family and why they matter. Not harsh rules, but protective guidance. Let's examine each item and see what God is protecting through his opposition:

1. Haughty Eyes - Pride That God Hates

The Hebrew word here describes the arrogant look of someone who considers themselves superior to others. Think about our social media culture where subtle (and not-so-subtle) posts signal superiority over others. When God opposes pride, he's defending human dignity and relational harmony.

Key insight: Whenever Scripture describes sin, look for what's being damaged. What's getting hurt? Pride destroys relationships because it elevates one person at the expense of others. Think about how Jesus dealt with the proud Pharisees versus the humble tax collector in Luke 18—the pattern is consistent throughout the Bible. God's opposition to pride isn't arbitrary or petty. It flows from his deep love for authentic relationships.

2. A Lying Tongue - Why God Hates Dishonesty

In our age of "alternative facts," this opposition becomes crucial. Whether it's political dishonesty, social media misinformation, or workplace deception, lies attack the foundation of trust that makes relationships possible. When Proverbs 12:22 says, "The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy," we see this same beautiful pattern—God's hatred protecting what he treasures.

This helps with difficult Bible passages throughout Scripture: when you encounter God's strong language about dishonesty elsewhere, remember that he's not being arbitrarily controlling. He's lovingly protecting the trust that makes community possible.

3. Hands That Shed Innocent Blood - God's Protection of Life

This phrase encompasses more than murder—it includes any violence against those who don't deserve it. The keyword here? "Innocent." God isn't opposing all taking of life (Scripture allows for just war and capital punishment), but specifically the destruction of innocent life. This teaches us to read biblical passages about violence carefully, which often include key qualifiers that significantly modify the meaning.

This applies to everything from abortion to violence against vulnerable populations to the neglect that leads to preventable deaths. God opposes this because every person bears his image (Genesis 1:27)—a life-changing theological foundation that explains his fierce protection of human life throughout the Bible.

4. A Heart That Devises Wicked Schemes - Evil Plans God Opposes

This targets the internal plotting of evil before it becomes action. David's scheme against Uriah (2 Samuel 11) illustrates this—God opposed the planning stage, not just the execution. Modern parallels include corporate schemes to exploit workers or political manipulation for personal gain. God's opposition flows from his knowledge that evil begins in the heart (Matthew 15:19).

5. Feet Quick to Rush Into Evil - Why God Hates Enthusiasm for Sin

This describes eagerness to participate in wrongdoing—picture road rage that escalates immediately, social media pile-ons, or mob mentality that abandons reason. The Hebrew emphasizes speed and enthusiasm for evil. God opposes this so strongly because enthusiastic evil creates exponential damage. It's contagious.

Application: When you read about God's anger at collective sin (like Israel's golden calf incident), remember that God particularly opposes evil that gains momentum and draws others in.

6. A False Witness - God's Hatred of False Accusations

This goes beyond general dishonesty to specific false accusations. In ancient Israel, false testimony could kill someone through capital punishment based on perjury. Today, false accusations destroy reputations, careers, and families. God's opposition protects both justice and innocent lives.

7. Sowing Discord - The Sin God Hates Most

Here's the one that gets special emphasis in the Hebrew structure—the seventh item that completes the list. This describes someone who deliberately sows discord and division. Notice this isn't about all conflict (Jesus created conflict with religious leaders when necessary), but about those who create unnecessary division for malicious purposes.

Think about political tactics designed to divide rather than unite. Family members who manipulate others into taking sides. Church conflicts that could be resolved but are instead fed and intensified. God hates this because he designed us for harmony and unity (Psalm 133:1). When someone attacks that design, they're attacking something precious to God's heart.

Here's what strikes me about this list: every single item God opposes damages people or relationships. This reveals a critical Bible study principle that will transform how you read the Bible: God's moral commands aren't arbitrary rules but loving protection of what he designed for human flourishing.

What This Biblical Pattern Reveals About God's Character

Now that you've seen what God hates in these seven specific areas, you've learned something that will change how you read difficult passages throughout the Bible. God's hatred is entirely predictable because it flows from his love. He consistently opposes anything that:

• Damages relationships between people

• Harms the vulnerable and innocent

• Destroys trust and truth in the community

• Replaces authentic spiritual life with empty substitutes

• Creates injustice and suffering

This pattern is evident throughout the Word of God. When you encounter passages where God seems harsh or angry, ask yourself: "What is being damaged here? What is God protecting through his opposition?" You'll find that apparent divine harshness usually reveals protective love.

Other Things God Hates in Scripture

Scripture reveals many other behaviors God hates, and they all follow the same protective pattern we've discovered. Understanding these examples will strengthen your ability to interpret challenging passages throughout the Bible.

Religious Hypocrisy and Empty Worship: In Isaiah 1:14, God says he hates religious festivals combined with social injustice. God wasn't rejecting worship—he was rejecting worship divorced from authentic relationship with him and love for others. It's like being satisfied with looking at a photograph of a loved one instead of spending time with them.

Injustice and Oppression: Throughout the prophets, God expresses fierce opposition to those who exploit the poor and vulnerable. In Amos 5:21, this condemnation comes in the middle of God's anger at social injustice. God's hatred of oppression flows directly from his love for the oppressed.

Idolatry and False Worship: When God opposes idol worship, he's protecting people from giving their hearts to things that can't satisfy them. Whether it's ancient golden calves or modern idols of success, appearance, or approval, idols promise what only God can deliver (Isaiah 44:9-20).

How Understanding What God Hates Transforms Your Bible Study

Understanding what God hates and why gives you powerful tools for interpreting challenging passages throughout Scripture. Here are practical steps you can use whenever you encounter difficult texts about God's anger or judgment:

Step 1: Look for the Pattern. Ask yourself: "What behavior is God opposing here? Does it fit the pattern of damaging people, relationships, or communities?"

Step 2: Identify What's Being Protected. Ask: "What does God love so much that he must reject its opposite? What good thing is threatened by this evil behavior?"

Step 3: Find the Love Behind the Opposition. Remember: God's opposition flows from his protective love. A God who tolerated evil wouldn't truly love good. This isn't harsh—it's hopeful.

Step 4: Apply the Principle. Ask: "How does this same pattern show up in my world today? Where do I see similar behaviors that damage what God treasures?"

Reading Scripture with New Confidence

The next time you encounter God's "hatred" in Scripture, you're now equipped to understand it properly. These passages do not reveal a harsh, unpredictable deity. They're showing you a loving God whose holiness demands opposition to everything that threatens his beloved creation.

This discovery should flood you with deeper confidence in God's character. Every behavior God opposes? Every attitude he rejects? Every system he stands against? It all flows from his protective love for you and for the world he created. Like a loving parent who opposes anything that harms their child, God's hatred is his love in action.

As you continue developing your Bible study skills, remember that challenging passages about God's emotions aren't obstacles—they're opportunities to understand his character more deeply. The tools you're learning will help you approach even the most difficult texts with confidence, knowing that every word of Scripture ultimately reveals a God who is more loving, wiser, and better than you could ever imagine.

Next week, we'll explore how God expresses emotions in Scripture and what it means when the Bible uses human language to describe divine feelings. But for now, rest in this life-changing truth: the God who hates evil is the same God who loves you completely, and his opposition to sin flows from his protective heart toward you.

Keep reading those challenging passages. Keep asking hard questions—they're not bothering God; they're drawing you closer to him. Keep trusting that the God who opposes everything harmful is fighting for your flourishing in ways you're only beginning to understand.

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