“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him” (Prov. 6:16). Solomon in this verse, and the ones following, speaks of seven things that are an abomination unto God. Note: “abomination” means “a thing that causes disgust or hatred” (New Oxford American Dictionary). “This word has several meanings in the Old Testament. It is frequently used to express the idea of something loathed, especially religiously” (Vine’s Exp. Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words). Let’s examine these seven things hated by God.
“A proud look:” This is also translated as “haughty eyes.” Pride thrust Nebuchadnezzar out of man’s society, Saul out of his kingdom, Adam out of Eden’s paradise, Haman out of court, and Judah into Babylonian captivity. Some have suggested that pride is the greatest of all sins because often when man is proud, he exalts himself and displaces God.
Pride is defined as “The quality or state of being proud; such as inordinate self-esteem; conceit; delight or elation arising from some act, possession, or relationship; proud or disdainful behavior or treatment; ostentatious display” (Miriam Webster Dictionary). The word pride is never used in a good sense in the Scriptures.
Pride is a sin always! Study carefully these statements about pride in the Scriptures: Proverbs 21:4; 16:5; 8:13; Mark 7:21-23; Romans 1:22; II Timothy 3:1-5; I John 2:15-17.
When Paul was listing the attributes of love in I Corinthians 13, among its many good qualities he also listed things that love does not do. Among them is “love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up” (I Cor. 13:4). Pride and arrogance go hand in hand as twin vices.
Pride leads to other sins and may be said to be the “root of all sin” since pride was involved in the first sin in Eden. Pride will prevent conversions (Matt. 18:1-4). We could fill pages about this first thing in Solomon’s list of things that are an abomination to God. Let all of us work on not being guilty of this horrific sin!
Paul M. Wilmoth
