Some sins are regarded with more disdain than others, often shaped by culture and religious persuasions. Some consider sexual sins to be at the top of the list when assigning the degree of wickedness, while others might feel disrespect is a much more egregious sin. For some religious groups, sacrilege is the sin of all sins, and the list goes on and on.
Interestingly, while there are degrees of sin in the Bible, we must note that God does not view matters as we mortals do. A great offence or trifling matter to us may not be deemed the same by God.
“God does not regard all sins as of equal magnitude; there are degrees of guilt in His estimation, as well as in that of man; but however trifling this or that wrong act may seem in the eyes of men, no sin is small in the sight of God. Man’s judgment is partial, imperfect; but God estimates all things as they really are.” Steps to Christ, 30
The Bible tells us that God is love, so to find that it also says He hates might be hard to imagine. However, Solomon—considered the wisest man ever to live—tells us that God hates seven things. Sadly, some Christians and non-Christians, too, do not regard these seven sins as highly offensive, and they commit them almost every day without a thought of just how heinous they are in nature and to God.
Note carefully that these sins are seven in number. While this distinction may not have any Scriptural significance in this study, seven in the Bible denotes completion or perfection. Hence, we may conclude that where these seven sins are concerned, God hates them with perfect hatred. As we study each sin, we will better understand why God hates them.
Seven Deadly Sins
“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
When a person reads the book of Proverbs, he will notice that the wise man mentions these seven deadly sins several times. Indeed, they are not the only sins that Solomon wrote about, but it is evident that because of the nature of these sins, the Holy Spirit instructed him to focus on them, not just for his benefit but also for the benefit of all his readers. These seven sins have caused more harm in heaven and earth than possibly all other sins combined. I can now begin to study the seven sins God hates, beginning with pride.
Pride
The Bible defines pride as “arrogance, haughtiness, swelling, pomp; to inflate with self-conceit, high-minded.” The Dictionary defines pride as “a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct.” Synonyms for pride are conceit, self-esteem, egotism, vanity, and vainglory. God calls pride, along with the other six deadly sins, an abomination.
Of Roman or pagan origin, abomination, when used as a verb, denotes “the feeling of abhorrence for what was ill-omened.” In the moral sphere, all evil conduct is like a bad omen, exciting dread, and aversion because of boding calamity. In the direct language of the Bible, referring all things immediately to God, abominations are defined as “things that Jehovah hates, and that are an aversion to His soul.” Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 6:16
Why does God hate pride?
“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: a proud look … .” The first deadly sin which God hates is pride. What is the meaning of pride?
How does the servant of the Lord define pride? “Pride feels no need, and so it closes the heart against Christ and the infinite blessings He came to give. There is no room for Jesus in the heart of such a person.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 7
What is so evil about pride that allows Jesus to abhor it?
Speaking concerning the fall of Lucifer, the prophet Ezekiel wrote, “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.” Ezekiel 28:17
The prophet Isaiah records the attitude that controlled Lucifer and led to his fall in heaven. “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Isaiah 14:12–14
Mrs. White tells us, “It was pride and ambition that prompted Lucifer to complain of the government of God, and to seek the overthrow of the order which had been established in heaven.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 403. She also points out that, “Little by little, Lucifer came to indulge a desire for self-exaltation.” The Great Controversy, 494
Again, we are told that “Pride in his own glory nourished the desire for supremacy. The high honors conferred upon Lucifer were not appreciated as the gift of God and called forth no gratitude to the Creator. He gloried in his brightness and exaltation, and aspired to be equal with God.” Ibid., 495
God hates pride because it is Satan’s sin. Originating with him and causing discord in heaven, Satan brought sin, misery, and separation into the universe. Inspiration gives us a glimpse of the disposition Lucifer displayed in heaven, “Though he had forsaken his position as covering cherub, yet if he had been willing to return to God, acknowledging the Creator’s wisdom, and satisfied to fill the place appointed him in God’s great plan, he would have been reinstated in his office. But pride forbade him to submit. He persistently defended his own course, maintained that he had no need of repentance, and fully committed himself, in the great controversy, against his Maker.” Ibid., 496
What caused Lucifer to lose heaven? “It was the pride and ambition cherished in the heart of Satan that banished him from heaven.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, 242
God hates pride because of its nature. “There is nothing so offensive to God or so dangerous to the human soul as pride and self-sufficiency. Of all sins it is the most hopeless, the most incurable.” Christ Object Lessons, 154
The Holy Spirit inspired Solomon to list pride as the first of these seven deadly sins because it is at the root of all disobedience and rebellion against God’s law because it is rooted in selfishness. Pride is the opposite of humility, which the apostle Paul gives as the basis of all the divine virtues. “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2, 3
The Scriptures remind us how much God is against pride.
“But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud.” James 4:6, first part
“For Thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.” Psalm 18:27
“He judgeth those that are high.” Job 21:22, last part. It is against this spirit that Job prays, “Cast abroad the rage of Thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.” Job 40:11, 12
Negative spiritual results of pride
“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2
“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” Proverbs 13:10
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18
“A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.” Proverbs 29:23 (See also Daniel 4:37.)
“ ‘Therefore as I live,’ saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of My people shall spoil them, and the remnant of My people shall possess them.’
“This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the Lord of hosts.” Zephaniah 2:9, 10
“The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord God concerning Edom; we have heard a rumor from the Lord, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.
“Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.
“The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
“Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.” Obadiah 1–4
“Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:6
“Pride … destroys love for God and corrodes the soul.” Selected Messages, Vol. 2, 185
“Satan has much more power over some who profess the truth than many realize. Self reigns in the heart, instead of Christ. Self-will, self-interest, envy, and pride shut out the presence of God.” Testimonies, Vol. 4, 610
“Pride of heart is a fearful trait of character. ‘Pride goeth before destruction.’ This is true in the family, the church, and the nation.” Ibid., 377
“Alas that pride, unbelief, and selfishness, like a foul cancer, are eating out vital godliness from the heart of many a professed Christian!” That I May Know Him, 167
“The light of truth is constantly shining, but many men and women comprehend it not. And why?—Because selfishness, egotism, pride, blinds their spiritual eyesight. Standing between them and the true light, is the idol of their own opinion.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 9, 298
“But when the garden of the heart is neglected, poisonous weeds of pride, self-esteem, self-sufficiency, obtain a rank growth.” Evangelism, 342
How can we overcome or be set free from pride?
To overcome pride, we must die to self. Jesus invites us to come to Him. “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:28, 29
“You mistake pride for sensitiveness. Self is prominent. When self is crucified, then this sensitiveness, or pride, will die; until then you are not a Christian.” Testimonies, Vol. 2, 573
“Never will the human heart know happiness until it is submitted to be molded by the Spirit of God. The Spirit conforms the renewed soul to the model, Jesus Christ. Through its influence, enmity against God is changed into faith and love, and pride into humility.” Our High Calling, 152
“The divine love ruling in the heart exterminates pride and selfishness.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, 168
[All scripture from KJV.]
Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at 718-882-3900.