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.REFLECTIONSWritten by Adam DaviesHopefully you weren't looking for how to get the Lord really riled up, but if someone ever wanted a list of how to really get on God's nerves here it is. Seven things that are detestable to the Lord.Here the writer of Proverbs gives us a summary of some of the behaviours that show when we are living our own way in opposition to God.“Haughty eyes” probably suggests someone who is arrogant and looks down on others. Aren’t we prone to comparing ourselves with others and thinking we’re better? For me, this really comes out in refusing to let others have a go, because I think I can do it better.“A lying tongue” and “a false witness who pours out lies”. We rely on God's trustworthy character for all the promises he has made, so it’s no surprise that lies make it onto this list. How quick I am to exaggerate to make myself look better than I am, or to change a story to minimise my own guilt.Most of us don't literally have hands that have “shed innocent blood”, but how quickly do I tear others down, or throw someone under the bus to get ahead myself?All these are examples of the way our thoughts and actions (“heart” and “feet”, v. 18) tend to lead us to selfishness and sin. But the last thing on the list shows that these things don’t just grieve God. They also damage our interpersonal relationships and our life as a church community. God cares for his people, and when we follow our sinful nature – by lying, tearing others down to get ahead, or seeking to harm someone else – we stir up division and damage relationships.This list challenges me to reflect on my self-centredness and pride. It pushes me to consider the small behaviours that I accept in my life and reminds me to seek to be distinct from those who don’t belong to Christ. But even more, I thank God for his boundless grace in Christ. I often fall flat on my face, and without God’s amazing kindness my “heart” and “feet” would make me detestable to him. But because of Christ’s death, I know I will be presented before the Father “holy in his sight” (Colossians 1:22). He is also working in me now, and knowing that helps me to strive to live his way (Philippians 2:12-13).ABOUT THE AUTHORAdam is a member of the Fairfield Evening church.