A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, 13 who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, 14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart– he always stirs up conflict. 15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed– without remedy. 16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. (Prov. 6:12-19 NIV)
These verses form a unit within the chapter as the description of the troublemaker parallels with the seven actions that are detestable to the Lord. The Teacher names the body parts that can be put to bad use: the mouth, eyes, feet, hands and heart. These were never intended to be used for sinful behaviour. The troublemaker communicates false and damaging messages. Evil is intended and communicated openly having arisen in the heart of deceit. There is a day of reckoning for the troublemaker when God will bring all things under judgement. The disaster that pursues the troublemaker will come suddenly, making its appearance all the more frightening.
The troublemaker is also described as a villain. He uses words as weapons. These words proceed from a corrupt mouth. The troublemaker takes pleasure in his deceitful behaviour. He winks, indicating that he knows exactly what he is doing. It appears that the troublemaker signals to an onlooking audience, as he wants people to admire his trickery and skulduggery. The troublemaker is intent on spreading strife. His problem lies within his heart.
There are seven things that the Lord hates. The Teacher gives us a list of everyday bad behaviour and lets us know how detestable this behaviour is in the sight of God. This is behaviour that seeks to assert power over other people. The list is not intended to be exhaustive. The Teacher builds upon the description of the troublemaker in v12-15.
Haughty eyes contain the idea of a proud look that comes from an arrogant heart. This is high-handed behaviour where a person uses their position to exploit others. They speak with a lying tongue, spreading rumours and breeding dissent. Hands that shed innocent blood is evident in most countries of the world where children are killed while still in their mother’s womb, all because of the misguided dogma of the right to choose.
The Lord hates the heart that devises wicked schemes. People rush into evil and enjoy the plots. Dictators across the world enjoy for now their moment of power, but they will have to give an account to God for every life that they have taken and for the evil schemes that they have devised.
God despises the giving of false witness and those who stir up disunity in any community.
If we learn wisdom, we should wisely search our own hearts to see to what extent such things that the Lord hates play any part in our lives.
Prayer
Lord God help us to avoid this kind of behaviour. Help us to hide Your word in our hearts that we might not sin against You. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.