STUFF ABOUT GOD AND CHRISTIANITY | Dr. Ron Braley
While God loves many things, there are things he hates.
Some, such as sexual immorality and deviousness (Proverbs 3:32), are disgusting—an abomination, according to the ancient language (Hebrew to-ay-baw’, toay- baw’). This makes sense, as he designed us to reflect his character and behave as he created us.
Anything else is disrespectful and counter to God’s design. In this column, we’ll focus on several categories of disgusting things after considering why they happen. But, before we do, a caveat: All rebellion against God is bad, and none is better or worse than another— the same fate awaits all who practice such things. Why do we do stuff God hates?
The answer: Selfcenteredness that seeks personal pleasure over obedience to God. Verse 1 John 2:16 states, “For all that is in the world— the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life,” these become the root of all kinds of abominations.
Sexual immorality
Sexual immorality is an excellent example and one that deserves special attention because many Christian leaders have turned bad into good and corrupted the church.
This includes adultery, prostitution, incest, bestiality, pedophilia and homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13; Deuteronomy 22:5).
Redefining the ancient language, distorting history or promoting a selfgratifying love to legitimize disgusting behavior in the church won’t make it less so or soften God’s response.
See my related article for additional information ( https://ronbraley. blog/2022/11/10/ weed-patrol-weeds-begetweeds- part-two-sexualimmorality/).
Dishonoring God
Dishonoring God in a variety of ways is also something he hates.
Besides what I’ve already listed, God hates our prioritizing other gods, spiritual or material.
Lying, especially to the detriment of others, and wicked behavior are also disgusting according to God (Proverbs 12:22; Exodus 20:16).
God hates the abuse of his name (Exodus 20:7), which concerns his character and authority, not syllables. For instance, Ezekiel 13:6 condemns prophets who “see false visions and utter lying divinations” and claim, “This is what the Lord declares,” when he has not spoken.
See also Jeremiah 14:14 and 23:16 and Deuteronomy 18:20. If I only had a dollar for every time I heard, “The Spirit said this…” or “God told me that …”
Hurting people
God also hates the poor treatment of people. Sexual immorality, lying and injustice negatively affect humans, as I have already mentioned. Add murder, theft, malice, slander and envy (e.g., Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
God commands us to love our neighbors charitably. So, the lack of love would be something he also hates, as evidenced by the hell-bound nature of those who don’t care for the less fortunate.
Matthew 25:31-46 tells us we’ll be judged for how we care for them.
And Jesus chided the Pharisees for honoring the religious tithe instead of treating people appropriately (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42).
Summary
God hates, and often finds disgusting, behaviors that violate his standards and dishonor him and hurt people. Next, let’s learn more about God through his names and attributes.
God’s blessings and peace.
Braley, a Taylorbased minister, Air Force veteran, husband and father, earned a Master of Divinity degree from Regent University in 2018 and a Doctor of Ministry from the same school in 2021.
