Don’t Mess with the Abominable
If you trace the word “abomination” or “horrid” or “detestable” in Scripture, you quickly find out what God despises or hates or what just disgusts Him (the meaning of the words). Those words simply reveal what is repugnant to God and His people in relationship to religion and morality. It’s not a fun word to trace, but it is very revealing.
While God hates all sin, He does single out some sins that seem to garner a greater degree of passionate hatred from God and some might surprise you. So, here is a list to look over and think about since God wants us to “abhor what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9b).
Making & worshiping detestable idols or strange gods (Deut. 7:25–26; 27:15; 32:16; Ezek. 18:12; Jer. 16:18)
Being ensnared by horrific idol practices like child sacrifice (Deut. 12:31; 2 Kings 16:3)
Misleading God’s people into sin and idolatry (Jer. 32:35)
The seduced and seducers of idolatry (Deut. 13:13–18)
Idolatrous sexual perversions like lustful neighings and prostitution (Lev. 18:26, 30; Jer. 13:27; Ezek. 22:11)
Cross-dressing (Deut. 22:5)
Giving offerings from certain sinners profits (Deut. 23:18)
Worthless offerings and incense (Isa. 1:13)
Homosexuality (Lev. 18:22)
Unpermitted remarriage (Deut. 24:4)
Acting unjustly (Psalm 3:1)
Being devious and violent (Prov. 3:28–32)
False weights and measures (Deut. 25:13–15; Prov. 11:1; 20:10; 20:23)
Having haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, one who spreads strife among brothers (Prov. 6:16–18; 12:22; 16:6)
Being perverse in one’s heart (Prov. 11:20)
The sacrifices and ways of the wicked (Prov. 15:8–9; 21:27)
Evil plans (Prov. 15:26)
Kings committing wicked acts (Prov. 16:12)
Those who justify the wicked and condemn the righteous (Prov. 17:15)
Defiling God’s land inheritance to Israel (Jer. 2:7)
Not being ashamed of sin (Jer. 6:15; 8:12)
Profaning God’s worship (Mal. 2:11)
Practicing child sacrifice, witchcraft, soothsaying, interpreting omens, sorcery, conjuring spells, consulting a medium, being a spiritist, calling up the dead (Deut. 18:9–12)
Scoffing (Prov. 24:9)
False religion like Babylon the Great (Rev. 17:5)
Doing anything God hates (Jer. 44:4)
One that really grabbed my attention was this: “He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination” (Proverbs 28:9). WOW, that’s some strong language from God about our prayers. It provides a healthy motivation to think about how our lives can impact one of God’s greatest gifts (prayer) in our relationship with Him.
Maybe hearing God use such strong words can remind us how seriously He wants you and me to run away from sin. Yes, your sin is totally forgiven in Christ, but until Jesus returns or takes you home, you will spend the rest of your life learning to “not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts”…and “not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Romans 6:12–13).
Next time you’re tempted…think of the word “abominable” just to remind yourself of God’s descriptive and passionate perspective.
Pastor Jeff
“Do you know why I often ask Christians, ‘What’s the biggest thing you’ve asked God for this week?’ I remind them that they are going to God, the Father, the Maker of the Universe. The One who holds the world in His hands. What did you ask for? Did you ask for peanuts, toys, trinkets, or did you ask for continents?”