Seven Deadly Sins

2024-10-08

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. (Proverbs 6:16-19)

A proud look is communicating one’s prideful superiority without saying a word. Look at American actors, musicians and athletes when photographed, and this is often apparent.

A lying tongue can cause one to be put to death if it is lying against an accused person. Since God is truth, a lie will always be contrary to Him. This is related to the shedding of innocent blood and a false witness that speaks lies.

Hands that shed innocent blood... our culture knows about this well with all the abortion. People that want to slay the innocent are evil. God is the God of justice; when we warp that justice, it is an affront to God.

A heart that devises wicked imaginations is someone who sits around and thinks up evil things to do. They are inventors of evil things. This is the foundational sin to the other sins mentioned here, because these other sins come from the innermost being of man. If we think of this passage as a chiastic structure, this is the focal point.

Feet that are swift in running to mischief... people that are looking for whatever wicked thing they could join in.

He that sows discord between brethren is someone who intentionally tries to break up people that otherwise live in harmony. Whether it be gossip or lies or rumors, these people enjoy causing chaos. Unity of the church is a wonderful thing; those who mar that will be judged. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).

All these cause immense harm or destroy other people. God hates these things. “Abomination” is a very strong term that shows that God is highly offended with these sins.

A wicked idea starts in the heart, moves to one’s expression, turns into words, and then becomes actions against others. The imagination of the heart is the source of all the other sins.