The LORD hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to Him:  arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil, a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.     Proverbs 6:16-19 HCSB

There is a lot of hatred going on in the world today. This stems from people being upset because others don’t do things the way they think they should. There are hate crimes where people do physical harm to others that do things they hate. People hate people because of the color of their skin, their religious beliefs, their political beliefs, and for many other reasons.

We know about all of this because with the internet we get all the knows going on in the world today. But do you know that many of these things are merely distractions provided by the devil to get our focus off of God. We should be focused on God, and we should love what He loves and hate what He hates. In order to do this, we must know what He loves and what He hates.

I want us to take a minute today to think about what we know. I am willing to bet that most people know which two actors just got into a scuffle where one slapped the other.  I am willing to bet that most people are well aware of what their friends have posted on social media. Most of us know what two countries are at war now. But do we know all we need to know?

Sunday our pastor delivered a message about the power of our words and controlling our tongues. He talked about lying and what is says in Proverbs 6:16-19. He said we had better know what the LORD hates or what He considers to be an abomination. There are many questions we can answer off the top of our heads, but can you answer this one? Our Scripture passage lists pride, lying, murder, plotting evil, giving false testimony and stirring up strife.

Now there are other things listed in the Bible that are considered an abomination to the LORD. Our pastor said we better know what these are. Proverbs 28:9 tells us if someone turns away from hearing the law or turns away from what is right that even their prayer is an abomination to the LORD. Proverbs 20:10, 11:1 and 20:23 tells us that unequal weights or cheating someone is an abomination to the LORD. Deuteronomy 22:5 tells us that cross dressing is an abomination to the LORD. Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 says homosexuality is an abomination to the LORD. Proverbs 17:15 tells us justifying wicked behavior is an abomination to the LORD. Proverbs 15:26 says wicked thoughts are an abomination to the LORD. Isaiah 1:13 says vain offerings are an abomination to the LORD. Bringing money obtained from illegal acts as a tithe to God’s house is an abomination to the LORD according to Deuteronomy 23:18.

This sounds like a lot to remember, but it can be summarized in this way. If you love the Lord with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind as we are instructed to do in Matthew 22:37 you will surrender to Him and become a new creation. You will be a person who wants to please the Lord. You will be a person who puts others need above your own and will easily be able to fulfill that whole love your neighbor as you love yourself command. You will not want to do the things the LORD hates.

It is so easy to become distracted by the things that are going on in the world. But we must remember this world is temporary. Our lives here on earth are temporary. There are much bigger and better things awaiting those of us who trust in the Lord. Don’t be distracted. The two most important things for us to know is what pleases God and what He hates. We should love what God loves and hate what He hates. We discussed the things that were an abomination to the Lord. We must understand that He hates these sins but loves the sinners. We must do likewise.

Hebrews 11:6 says it is impossible to please the Lord without faith. Let our faith be evident to those around us. Let us witness to others through our actions as well as our words. My friend as the time grows shorter with each day it becomes more and more important for us to be in close relationship with our Lord and Savior. We must learn to walk in faith and to trust Him.

Have a great day!