Let’s look at those sins listed there.  We read in Proverbs 6:16-19, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

These seven sins are detestable, or repulsive to our Lord.  Of course, He hates ALL sin, but these particular sins are exceptionally detestable to Him.  Sadly, some of these sins are acceptable and tolerable to by so many today.  What makes these sins so terrible?  Let’s consider each one individually.

A PROUD LOOK – One will not seek the Lord’s help or guidance when he is proud of himself.  The proud man is independent of the Lord, not realizing his need for the savior.

A LYING TONGUE – A liar cannot be trusted.  He speaks lies knowingly and willingly, with the intent to deceive people, to hurt the character of a neighbor, or to flatter a friend.  This is a most detestable evil. 

HANDS THAT SHED INNOCENT BLOOD – This is one who murders people who have not been guilty of any capital sin for which they ought to die by the laws of God or men.  Such hands are defiled, and such men are hateful to God.  They destroy His image, and are like the devil, who was a murderer from the beginning. (John 8:44).

A HEART THAT DEVISETH WICKED IMAGINATIONS – This is one who deliberately and continually has thoughts of wickedness against God and men. 

FEET THAT BE SWIFT IN RUNNING TO MISCHIEF – To run to mischief is to carry out with eagerness and without delay what has already been devised in the heart. It implies more than falling or sliding into sin, which can be common to all, but a dedicated desire to do that which is wrong and hurtful.

A FALSE WITNESS – This speaks of one who habitually lies against another to hurt or damage the reputation of someone else.  We read in Psalm 27:12, “Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.”  (Read Mattew 26:59-61).

HE THAT SOWETH DISCORD AMONG BRETHREN – Especially heinous to the Lord is the one who works to cause division among the Lord’s people. How diabolical is the one who destroys the harmony and unity of those who ought to live together in brotherly affection.  Consider the Lord’s prayer in John 17:21-23, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”

Each one of these seven sins should be avoided.  Realizing how terrible they are in the sight of God and how damaging they are to those sinned against, may we seek to live our lives free of such sins.  These are characteristics of “a naughty person, a wicked man” (Proverbs 6:12).  In other words, a worthless man, a man of iniquity.  Perhaps, there are sins just as vile in the sight of God, but to manifest these sins is a clear indication of the character of the person.  May we heed the most valuable words of James 4:8, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded.”  (CC)  (739.6)