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Emphasis Mine In Bible Verses
Part I
Introduction
I have often wondered why, even in the face of compelling contradictory evidence, so many people today hold on to what they have decided to believe (especially when it involves a scientific looking chart) with a tenacity that any self respecting bull dog would profoundly admire. They will defend their beliefs to the death rarely seeming to entertain the possibility that the parent, teacher, mentor, church, book, or whatever else it was that influenced them might have been wrong.
And, although I have absolutely no idea as to how it works, there is one other factor. If something is persistently and continuously put forward as being the absolute truth eventually (and in spite of contrary evidence) it will be accepted as such. Apparently, Adolph Hitler believed this. He certainly proved its accuracy.
And once people have made up their minds - it is often the case that all the evidence in the world does not seem to sway them in the slightest. They have made up their minds and that is the end of it. No truth can be allowed to get in to muddy the waters. They have stopped listening, stopped reasoning, stopped analyzing, and tragically have stopped learning.
This seems to hold true in virtually every facet of our lives - but especially in the fields of politics and religion.
However, thousands of years ago the Bible told us that this would happen. People would want to hear whatever pleased them, whatever made them feel good about themselves, their lives, and their futures. The New Testament calls it having their ears tickled.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, (2 Timothy 4:3 NASB)
While there are unending examples of Christians and non Christians alike believing things that just aren't so, (See Myths About Christianity) the focus of this article is on the misconceptions Christians have about God's love.
God Hates The Sin Not the Sinner
Along with God loves everyone it is almost universally believed that God hates the sin and not the sinner. However, contrary to what some believe, it did not originate in the Scriptures, .
The first known instance of this dictum is when Augustine included the phrase Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum in a letter he wrote to a group of nuns (c. 424). Roughly translated the phrase means "love for mankind and hatred of sins" both of which I believe he was urging them to do.
While I have no clue as to whether he had ever even heard of Augustine Gandhi (1869-1948), who led the non-violent struggle for India's independence from British colonial rule, popularized the phrase "hate the sin and not the sinner" in his autobiography. Also See The Sins of Augustine
Conditional or Approving Love
I am sure that every one of us has heard one or another version of God loves everyone equally and unconditionally and there is nothing we can do that would make Him stop loving us.
Not only are every one of these ideas conspicuous by their absence in the Scriptures, but Jesus Himself flatly contradicted them when He told His disciples, (Emphasis Added)
"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. (John 15:9-10 NASB)
The word "if" clearly indicates that only those who keep Jesus' commandments abide in His love. The message was repeated at least twice more.
for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. (John 16:27 NASB)
"He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him... "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him." (John 14:21, 23 NASB)
In other words, He said His love is is conditional ie. it is based on what we do - we have to do something to gain approving love.
Jesus did. He earned and deserved His Father's favor.
"For this reason the Father loves (Gk. agapao) Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. (John 10:17 NASB)
"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love (Gk. agape); just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love (Gk. agape). (John 15:10 NASB)
In these verses, the word 'love' was translated from the Greek agape as was 'love' in....
John 3:16?
I suspect the assumption that God loves everyone equally and unconditionally is at least partially based on John 3:16, or at least a wrong understanding of the verse.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life".
Agape is not a sickly sweet much sentimentality that never says a cross word or steps someone's toes. has little to do with affection, fondness, or mushy sentimentality. In fact, it has nothing at all to do with God's feelings for an individual.
In fact, Agape is not even based on emotion.
It is stretching out ones hand to help another person whether or not you approve of them or even like them. Put it this way - if a boat were to overturn in deep waters one would not have to have fond feelings for every single individual person in the water in order to set a rescue operation into motion. Indeed one may even actively dislike someone in the water but would throw them a life preserver anyway. I am sure that most of us would be quite upset if something untoward happened and we were not able to save the person regardless of how we felt about them personally.
John's statement was intended to be both general and universal.
Our culture is "me" oriented whereas the culture is Jesus' time was focused on the group. It is perfectly possible to love and want the best for a group and yet be sharply aware that there are some very bad eggs among them - individuals that one may not even like. This is exactly the kind of love that God has demonstrated. When the Bible says 'God loves us' let us please not delude ourselves into imagining that He thinks humans are pretty cool and gets all warm and gooey when He think of us.
God's love means that He cares enough to not want us to perish. In fact, God cared enough about mankind as a whole so much that the life preserver He offered us cost Him the life of His Son.
But that does not mean that individuals cannot earn His love and respect. The Bible speaks of many people of whom God approved, including Abraham, Noah, Job, Daniel, David , Cornelius etc. Why? Because they were righteous.
Part II
Proverbs
I would like to return for a moment to the widely accepted idea that God hates the sin but not the sinner - a concept that the Bible pleads complete ignorance to. Much to the contrary the book of Proverbs says
There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19 NASB)
But what is really important is that not all that the Lord hates are 'things'. The last two in the list are the false witnesses who utter lies and those who spread strife. In other words, the Lord hates the sinners - not just the sins.
(See Footnote I for the literary style used in Proverbs 6
And Footnote II For a short note on each one
The Beatitudes
The Beatitudes were the seven blessings with which Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount - the first of His recorded sermons in Matthew's gospel (5:3-10).
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:3-9 NASB)
Most of these correspond with the seven things and people God said He hated in Proverbs 6.
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 run rapidly to evil, A false witness who declares lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19 NASB)
For example, the first beatitude was a blessing on the "poor in spirit" - God's hatred of haughtiness is the first named in Proverbs. The blessed 'peacemakers' of the Beatitudes neither bear false witness nor spread strife - the people God hates do. Also those who's feet "run rapidly to evil" can be contrasted with those who are gentle and merciful peacemakers.
Proverbs is not the only book that says that God does not distinguish the person from their actions. This simply because people do what they are - their actions a reflection of their character. (One time sins may not indicate character but continuously doing the same thing over and over again does). Thus if God disapproves of sin there is no question that He must disapprove of the person committing the sin.
While modern Christians prefer to see only a God of love - someone who bestows wonderful things upon us and never causes any grief whatsoever, the fact remains that He Himself says He actually hates and withdraws from people who practice evil. Nor will He have the slightest qualm about judging them according to their deeds.
For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You. The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit. (Psalms 5:4-6 NASB)
The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates. (Psalms 11:5 NASB)
"I have forsaken My house, I have abandoned My inheritance; I have given the beloved of My soul Into the hand of her enemies. "My inheritance has become to Me Like a lion in the forest; She has roared against Me; Therefore I have come to hate her. (Jeremiah 12:7-8 NASB)
"I, the Lord, have spoken; it is coming and I will act. I will not relent, and I will not pity and I will not be sorry; according to your ways and according to your deeds I will judge you," declares the Lord God.'" (Ezekiel 24:14 NASB)
All their evil is at Gilgal; Indeed, I came to hate them there! Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of My house! I will no longer love them; All their leaders are rebels. (Hosea 9:15 NASB)
Their deeds will not allow them to return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them, and they do not know the Lord. Moreover, the pride of Israel testifies against him, And Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also has stumbled with them. They will go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them. (Hosea 5:4-6 NASB)
No one who actually pays attention to Isaiah 59:1-9 can believe that the sinner is not the target of the Lord's aversion and hostility
(1) Behold, the Lord's hand is not so short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear. (2) But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. (3) For your hands are defiled with blood And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken falsehood, Your tongue mutters wickedness. (4) No one sues righteously and no one pleads honestly. They trust in confusion and speak lies; They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity. (5) They hatch adders' eggs and weave the spider's web; He who eats of their eggs dies, and from that which is crushed a snake breaks forth.
(6) Their webs will not become clothing, Nor will they cover themselves with their works; Their works are works of iniquity, and an act of violence is in their hands. (7) Their feet run to evil, And they hasten to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity, Devastation and destruction are in their highways. (8) They do not know the way of peace, and there is no justice in their tracks; They have made their paths crooked, Whoever treads on them does not know peace. (9) Therefore justice is far from us, And righteousness does not overtake us; We hope for light, but behold, darkness, For brightness, but we walk in gloom. Isaiah 59:1-9.
Our Father?
Although we are all His creation God is not everyone's Father. As John wrote only those who received Him are God's children.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, (John 1:12 NASB)
Similarly, Romans 8 emphasizes that those who are led by the Spirit of God, are sons of God. They, and only they, have been adopted into the 'family' as sons and can legally call the Father "Abba!"
for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, "Abba! Father! (Romans 8:13-15 NASB)
Galatians says our faith makes us sons and daughters
But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Galatians 3:25-27 NASB)
God is never referred to as the Father of non believers. Much to the contrary
Romans 9:8 tells us that only "but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants". Ephesians 2:3 states that we "were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest."
In fact Jesus told the Pharisees, the self proclaimed guardians of the law that
You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. "But because I say the truth, you do not believe Me. "Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? "The one who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God. (John 8:44-47 NASB)
Your Father
So what did Jesus mean when He was speaking to the crowd in the Sermon On The Mount (Matthew 5, 6, and 7) and referred to God as "your Father" several times
so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? "And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? "Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:45-48 NASB)
But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your charitable giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:3-4 NASB)
But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. "And when you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. "do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:6-8 NASB)
For if you forgive other people for their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses. (Matthew 6:14-15 NASB)
But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be noticed by people but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:17-18 NASB)
Prior to this Jesus had already traveled extensively in Galilee. He had taught in the synagogues proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and as news about Him spread He had healed diseases, people with epilepsy, people who were paralyzed, and had freed the demon possessed. Large crowds were now following Him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
When Jesus saw the crowds He went up the mountain and began teaching a Jewish audience what was expected of those who wished to be part of the coming kingdom.
However, in spite of the fact that crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes (7:28-29) and witnessing His many miracles we know that not all chose to follow Him and obey His commandments.
How Inclusiveness Was Jesus?
Christians often defend their worldly behavior and association with less than savory people and places by claiming that Jesus was called "a friend of sinners" because He 'hung out' with them.
Sadly the subject is rarely thought through..
There is little question that Jesus' inclusiveness was extraordinary. Unlike his religious contemporaries He included among His followers those who were generally excluded from religious life and probably polite society as well. The list included tax-collectors, sinners, lepers, and even women who were considered second class citizens. However, Jesus' inclusiveness was not the 'come as you are' sort - He offered these sinners something no one else had - forgiveness for their sins and a new and transformed life in God's kingdom. As He Himself said, He came to call sinners to repentance - not the righteous.
See How Inclusive Was Jesus? And The Message of The Bible
The parable of the lost sheep, that tells of a man who has a hundred sheep but rejoices over the one that was lost but subsequently found only speaks of how much God wishes people to accept His offer. One sheep returned to the fold means a great deal to Him. Similarly, the strength of Jesus' sadness about people who will not take the proffered lifeline is amply demonstrated in Luke 13:34
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! (Luke 13:34 NASB)
Jesus certainly did not preach a "God loves everyone" message - just ask the scribes and Pharisees whom He had nothing but contempt for. Jesus called them broods of vipers, hypocrites, whitewashed tombs etc. Certainly, the money changers in the Temple would attest to the fact that Jesus soundly disapproved of what they were doing. However, at the same time, Jesus lamented the fact that the vast majority of the people of Jerusalem would not come together under the umbrella of His protection and, as a result, would suffer God's wrath and punishment.
Also, do not forget that Jesus continually warned everyone that the days of God's mercy were coming to an end - at which time His wrath would fall on the unrepentant.
"Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28 NASB)
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. (Matthew 23:15 NASB)
"You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell? (Matthew 23:33 NASB)
The so called "gentle Jesus" of the Gospels is the same Jesus who, in the book of Revelation, pours out His wrath on millions of people once the offer has run its course and is no longer valid. See The End of The Age
"The Kindness Of God Leads Men To Repentance."
This verse from Romans is often taken to mean that sinners are more likely to respond when they hear about God's love for them rather when they are warned of His displeasure or impending judgment. The problem is that even if this verse were a stand alone, it does not lead sinners to repentance - no more than telling career criminals that judges are kind leads them to become law-abiding citizens.
All that will happen is that they traipse along fat, dumb and happy until one day they actually come face to face with the judge and get the shock or their lives when they find out 'kindness' plays no part in the verdict they pass - the judge will uphold the law.
But in any case, the verse has been hopelessly misinterpreted. Just like every other verse in the Bible, one cannot accurately discern the point being made unless it is read in context. See Context is CRUCIAL
And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. (Romans 2:2-8 NASB)
God's kindness does not mean weakness.. God's kindness is seen in the fact that He has mercifully delayed judgment giving sinners time aplenty to repent and save themselves. Thinking lightly of God's kindness or contemptuously mistaking it for weakness, will do nothing but see us at the wrong end of God's judgment in the final day.
Of course sinners would rather attend a church where the message is strictly about God's love for them and nothing is said about the consequences of unrepentant sin. Scripture says that God is love, but it also says that He is a consuming fire (see Hebrews 12:29). Paul wrote, "Behold the kindness and severity of God" (Romans 11:22).
We cannot focus solely on the aspect of God's character that we particularly like or find warm and comforting. Neglecting His other side is not doing ourselves or anyone else any favors. See Seeker Friendly Failures in The Bible
While the following is not a perfect analogy, it will suffice. If doctors were to tell their cancer patients that they are perfectly healthy all that will happen is that the patient will have a false sense of complacency which however, will not stop them from dying. They have to be made aware of their condition so hopefully they can take all possible steps to be cured.
Similarly, only telling non believers that God loves them gives them a false sense of security. They will never get around to taking the steps to ensure they are not sentenced to death at the judgment.
See Sin, Repentance and Salvation on THIS Page
Footnote I
The literary style used in Proverbs 6:16-19 is often found in Scripture. As I understand it this style is called a Numerical Ladder - a poetic arrangement apparently designed to show that definite numbers are not being used and the list is open to expansion.
For example, when Ecclesiastes 11:2 says "Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth", the Preacher was advising generosity. Because the future was uncertain a person may one day stand in need of similar help.
Proverbs 30 has at least four examples. See 30:15, 18, 21, 29
Job 5:19 says "From six troubles He will deliver you, even in seven evil will not touch you. Six denotes an indefinite number, ie. He would support Job support in many troubles.
Similarly, Amos used this style to describe the judgment of the Lord against various nations whose sins had piled up (three transgressions and for four). The first judgments were against Gentiles followed by those against Judah and Israel.
Gaza: Thus says the Lord, "For three transgressions of Gaza and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they deported an entire population To deliver it up to Edom. (Amos 1:6 NASB)
Tyre: Thus says the Lord, "For three transgressions of Tyre and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they delivered up an entire population to Edom And did not remember the covenant of brotherhood. "So I will send fire upon the wall of Tyre And it will consume her citadels." (Amos 1:9-10 NASB)
Ammon: Thus says the Lord, "For three transgressions of the sons of Ammon and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead In order to enlarge their borders. (Amos 1:13 NASB)
Moab: Thus says the Lord, "For three transgressions of Moab and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime. (Amos 2:1 NASB)
Judah: Thus says the Lord, "For three transgressions of Judah and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they rejected the law of the Lord And have not kept His statutes; Their lies also have led them astray, Those after which their fathers walked. (Amos 2:4 NASB)
Israel: Thus says the Lord, "For three transgressions of Israel and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they sell the righteous for money And the needy for a pair of sandals. (Amos 2:6 NASB) {PLACE IN TEXT}
Footnote II - Hated by God
There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19 NASB)
If looked at closely the first five of the things that the Lord hates focus on 'part' of the body that are used to do the sinful deed. As said earlier, people do what they are - their actions a reflection of their character. (One time sins may not indicate character but continuously doing the same thing over and over again does). Thus if God disapproves of sin there is no question that He must disapprove of the person committing the sin.
The First Five
Haughty Eyes
'Haughty eyes' is easily understood as a proud or arrogant look that reflects the person's nature. 'Haughty' was translated from the Hebrew rūm - that literally or figuratively means to raise or exalt. It was used to describe Isaiah's vision of the "Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted (rūm)" (Isaiah 6:1)
A Lying Tongue
The second of the seven things despised by the Father is 'a lying tongue' that refers to falsehood of any kind. When applied to people the word rūm is almost always used in the context of someone who thinks very highly of themselves - even to the point of showing arrogant disdain for the Holy One of Israel!
Hands That Shed Innocent Blood
The shedding of human blood is strictly prohibited. After the flood, the Lord told Noah "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man. (Genesis 9:6 NASB)
However, the Bible makes a clear distinction between killing and murder - the two words not always interchangeable. Killing occurs in war, capital punishment (with due process), accidents, self-defense etc. But the shedding of innocent blood carries grave consequences. For example, Abel's blood cried out for vengeance from the ground it was spilled on - the Lord heard and Cain paid an enormous price.
Of the evil king Manasseh the Bible says he did evil in the sight of the Lord shedding much innocent blood until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another" (2 Kings 21:16 NASB). Two chapters later in 2 Kings 24:4 we are told that the Lord would not forgive what he had done. As Revelation 16:6 says
"for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They deserve it."
This may cause us to think that we are not in danger of being one of the murderers that the Lord despises since most of us sail through life without shedding any blood at all.
Not quite!
In Matthew 5 Jesus showed how the scribes and Pharisees interpreted and outwardly obeyed each law then revealed what was God's true intent in each case. Referring to Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17 Jesus said
"You have heard that the ancients were told, 'you shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court'. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell" (Vs. 21-22_
In other words, even anger with ones brother without cause puts one in danger of the judgment. Prior to this, unjustified negative feeling towards another human being was acceptable as long as one did not actually commit murder. However, because like all sin murder begins in the mind, Jesus was addressing the adverse emotion behind the deed and calling it wrong (Vs. 21-26).
The apostle John elaborated on this "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." (1 John 3:15).
See Jesus And The Law - Chapter III - Jesus and The Spirit or Intention Behind The Law.
Heart That Devise Wicked Plans
A person who consciously and maliciously schemes on how to do something hurtful to others in an abomination in the Lord's sight. As Christ said
"Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. "These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man." (Matthew 15:17-20 NASB)
Feet That Run Rapidly To Evil
is a description of those who are quick to do wrong. They are evil people who show no hesitation in getting involved in all kinds of evil. They seize every opportunity to satisfy their base natures usually at the expense of others.
The Last Two
A False Witness Who Utters Lies
The difference between this and the second thing that God hates (a lying tongue) is that God specifically says He hates the lying witness who perjures himself by giving false testimony.
The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is a false witness and he has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you. (Deuteronomy 19:18-19 NASB)
Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence. (Psalms 27:12 NASB)
For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,' declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:9 NASB)
And no wonder. False witnesses were responsible for the death of Stephen and of the Lord Jesus Himself.
Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God." (Acts 6:11 NASB)
Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. (Matthew 26:59 NASB) Also See Mark 14:55
One Who Spreads Strife Among Brothers
This is carried over into the New Testament. The seventh Beatitude says "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). The Seventh thing the Lord hates is also a person - someone who "spreads strife among brothers" or stirs up trouble.
Galatians 5:19-2 warns that deeds of the flesh including "strife, jealousy, dissension, outbursts of anger, disputes" will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:19-23 NASB) {PLACE IN TEXT}
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