by David Chadwick

"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight." Proverbs 12:22

"There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood." Proverbs 6:16-17

Can a good and loving God hate anything? Yes! If you have ever spent any time reading the Bible, you know that God can, and does, hate many things! While God is love (1 John 4:8), he still has the capacity to emotionally respond with hatred.

I find great comfort in this side of the Lord because in order for love to truly exist, there must be an abhorrence for everything that hinders love. Things like wickedness (Proverbs 15:8-9), pride (Psalm 5:5), evil deeds (Revelation 2:6), selfish motives (Proverbs 15:26), and those who love violence (Psalm 11:5).

Take some time to read through some of these verses for yourself. As you do, you will see that even the things that God hates reveal his nature and character as a good Father and the embodiment of love. Today, let's take a deeper look at one more thing that God really hates: lying lips (Proverbs 12:22, Proverbs 6:16-17).

Why does God hate deception? Because God's word is holy and true (John 17:17). Jesus himself, in John 14:6, said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Because God is truth, there can be no falsehood in him.

The devil, however, works in direct opposition to the truth. From the beginning of time, his native language has been "deception." He is both a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Lying lips destroy people created in God's image. It's a devious weapon to kill, steal, and destroy.

Do you remember what the devil's first temptation of Eve was in the garden of Eden? He said in Genesis 3:1, "Did God really say this?" Satan is a master deceiver and has built his entire mission around deception.

May we all act faithfully in our quest after the truth. And may we always bring truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). The world would be so much better if we committed to love what God loves and hate what God hates! After all, it is the truth that sets us free (John 8:32).