I was recently sketching out some notes for a Proverbs 6 16 19 sermon and found myself stuck on how blunt the language really is. It's one of those passages in the Bible that doesn't really pull any punches. Most of the time, we like to focus on the "God is love" parts of Scripture—and for good reason—but this specific section in Proverbs gives us a very different, very sobering list. It literally tells us there are things the Lord hates, things that are actually an "abomination" to Him.
That's a strong word. It's not just "God isn't a fan of these things" or "God would prefer you didn't do this." It's an intense, visceral rejection of certain behaviors. If we're going to sit down and really listen to what a message on this passage is saying, we have to be willing to look in the mirror and see if any of these traits are hiding in our own lives.
Why the "Six, No Seven" List?
Before we dive into the specific items on the list, you might notice the weird way Solomon starts this section. He says, "There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him." You'll see this kind of poetic structure a lot in ancient Hebrew literature. It's not that God forgot the number or changed His mind halfway through the sentence.
It's a literary device used for emphasis. It's like saying, "I've got a list of things to tell you, but this last one? This last one is the clincher." It builds a bit of tension and draws our focus toward the final item on the list. In a proverbs 6 16 19 sermon, this structure helps the listener realize that while all these things are bad, they often culminate in something that tears entire communities apart.
Looking Closer at the List
Let's break these down one by one, because honestly, they cover just about every way we can go wrong in our relationships with God and other people.
Haughty Eyes and a Lying Tongue
The list starts with "haughty eyes." That's just an old-school way of describing pride. But specifically, it's that look of superiority. It's when we look at someone else and think, "I'm better than you," or "I've got it all figured out, and you're just a mess." It's the root of so many other sins because once you think you're above others, you feel entitled to mistreat them.
Then comes the "lying tongue." We live in a world where "white lies" are seen as no big deal, but God puts lying right up there at the top of the list. Why? Because relationships—whether with God or people—are built on trust. When we lie, we're essentially trying to manipulate reality to serve ourselves. It's a form of pride, really. We think we know better than the truth.
Hands That Shed Innocent Blood
Now, most of us read "hands that shed innocent blood" and think, "Well, I haven't murdered anyone today, so I'm doing great!" And sure, on a literal level, that's true. But if you look at how Jesus interpreted the law in the New Testament, He took it deeper. He talked about how harboring deep-seated anger or hatred toward someone is essentially the same heart-issue as murder.
In a modern context, this could also apply to how we treat the vulnerable. Are we complicit in systems that hurt people who can't defend themselves? It's a call to be protectors, not predators.
Hearts That Plot and Feet That Run
The next two are about our internal drive and our external actions. A "heart that devises wicked schemes" is someone who spends their downtime thinking about how to get ahead at someone else's expense. It's premeditated. It's not just a mistake you tripped into; it's something you planned.
And "feet that are quick to rush into evil" describes that weird human impulse to run toward drama or trouble. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get sucked into a "venting session" that turns into a gossip fest? Or how quickly we jump on a bandwagon to tear someone down online? Our feet—our natural inclination—often move toward the messy stuff much faster than they move toward peace.
The False Witness and the Divider
The final two points bring the whole thing home. A "false witness who pours out lies" is someone who uses their words to destroy someone's reputation. This is more specific than just a general lie; it's a lie designed to cause harm in a formal or social setting.
But then we get to the "seventh" thing, the one the poetic structure was building toward: "a person who stirs up conflict in the community."
This is the big one. If you're preparing or listening to a proverbs 6 16 19 sermon, this is usually the point where everyone starts to shift uncomfortably in their seats. Why? Because we've all seen this happen. We might have even been the ones doing it.
Think about the "troublemaker" in a family, a workplace, or a church. It's the person who whispers in one ear and then goes and whispers something different in another. It's the person who thrives on "us vs. them" mentalities. God hates this because He is a God of peace and unity. When we intentionally sow discord, we are actively working against the very nature of God's kingdom.
What Does This Mean for Us Today?
It's easy to read a list like this and get discouraged. It feels like a "thou shalt not" list that just leaves us feeling guilty. But the point of a proverbs 6 16 19 sermon shouldn't just be to make people feel bad. The point is to show us where we need a change of heart.
The common thread through all seven of these things is selfishness. - Pride is about self-exaltation. - Lying is about self-protection. - Shedding blood and scheming is about self-advancement. - Stirring up conflict is often about self-importance or a need for control.
When we see these things in ourselves, it's an invitation to repent—which really just means to turn around and go the other way. Instead of haughty eyes, we can ask for a spirit of humility. Instead of a lying tongue, we can practice the hard work of being honest, even when it costs us something.
Moving Toward the Opposite
If God hates these seven things, it stands to reason that He loves their opposites. Imagine a life—and a community—characterized by the reverse of Proverbs 6:16-19: - Eyes that see others with compassion and humility. - A tongue that speaks truth and encouragement. - Hands that help and protect the innocent. - A heart that plans how to bless others. - Feet that are quick to run toward reconciliation and peace. - A witness that stands up for the truth, even for those who are being unfairly accused. - A person who actively works to bring people together and heal divisions.
That sounds like a much better way to live, doesn't it?
Closing Thoughts
At the end of the day, a proverbs 6 16 19 sermon is a wake-up call. It's a reminder that our actions and our attitudes actually matter to God. He isn't indifferent to how we treat each other. He's invested in our character because He knows that these "seven things" are poisons that destroy our souls and our relationships.
So, maybe this week, we can pick one of these areas to be mindful of. Maybe it's catching that "haughty" thought before it turns into a comment. Maybe it's choosing not to repeat that piece of gossip that would stir up trouble. It's the small, daily choices to move away from what God hates and toward what He loves that eventually change who we are.
It's not about being perfect; it's about being aware. And when we fail—because we all do—we have the grace to start over and try again, hopefully with a heart that's a little more aligned with His.