SEVEN ABOMINATIONS

specially odious to the Holy One of Israel as well as insidiously injurious to mankind. The first three sins in verse 17 look at the body member by which the sin is exhibited. "Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,"

First on the "most detested list" is pride (a proud look; 8:13; 30:13; Ps. 18:27; 101:5). Eyes reveal the truth in our souls. They convey so many unspoken emotions and attitudes. Eyes announce anger, impatience sorrow, sarcasm, guilt, and especially pride. Pride is usually the basic motive for all other sins.
Pride is to think of one’s self better that one ought. Pride says lift yourself up. God gives self-worth and self-esteem. Satan pumps up pride. It was pride that turned Lucifer into the devil (Isa. 14: 12-14). It was pride that led Eve to disobey God and eat the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:1-6). Proverbs 8:13 says "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate." "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (Jas. 4:6). (Ps. 12:3-4; 73: 6-9).
The lofty look of man shall be humbled and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down (Isa. 2:11). Haughtiness is an abomination because it implies self-ignorance, unkindness and irreverence. Haughty eyes come from a stubborn, rebellious attitude of heart. It usurps God’s place and wants what rightfully is God alone.
The second rung on the ladder of things God hate which ascend to the climax of causing discord or strife is "a lying tongue." He is a God of truth and His law says "thou shall not bear false witness" (Ex. 20:16). David prayed, "Deliver my Soul, O Lord, from lying lips."
Be on guard against those who have a proclivity or tendency to play loose with the truth. Not all lies are big and bold. Half-truths flow freely, exaggerations and flatteries are lies also. We need to be more conscious of our words, for lies are a deadly force that goes to work on lives and society to wreak havoc and destruction. They devastate expectations and shake confidence. When we lie we open the door for Satan to work, for he is a liar and his main tool is lying (Jn. 8:44). When we speak the truth we give opportunity for the Spirit to work (Jn. 8:34; 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 17:17; 18:37).
Whatever benefit is sought to be gained or retained by lying is quickly over but the open door of satanic destruction is repeatedly experienced until the lie is confessed and forgiveness sought. One reason Satan has such an open door to wreak havoc into so many life situations is because the door was first opened into someone’s mind or feelings by a teller and a receiver contemplating a lie. Once you are discovered to be a liar you forfeit your reputation and integrity and your speech and behavior will be then be suspect. It is best to confess and seek forgiveness and close the door to Satan’s working and the future damage to your reputation. God will allow Satan to one day turn you in by revealing your lie because unlike children of the devil you walk and live in light and God hates lies.
The third sin God hates is murder -hands that shed innocent blood. God’s sixth command is "thou shall not murder" (Ex. 20:13). Murder is heartless cruelty. It is an utter deviation from the will of God. Those that strike out against the innocent, are under the hatred of their Creator. This