1. Pride: Arrogant (haughty) eyes: This describes a feeling of pride and looking down upon others (Philippians 2:3, 5-11). When we begin to think of ourselves more highly and with unparalleled importance, we are forgetting the fact that anything good in us is the result of Christ living in us and that the old self is now dead (Galatians 2:20). If you don't destroy pride, pride will destroy you. Hate Pride.

2. Liars: Lying tongue: A lying tongue is one that speaks falsehood, knowingly and willingly, with an intention to deceive others or get out of trouble. Lying can be used to impugn the character of a brother or to flatter a friend. It is a most detestable evil to God, who is a God of truth. Nothing we do causes us to more closely resemble the devil, who is the father of lies (John 8:44). A liar will end up in hell- Rev 21:8

3. Murder: Hands that shed innocent blood: This refers to cold-blooded murder. We may never have orchestrated killing someone or never have touched a gun or knife, but in Matthew 5:21-24, Jesus says that anyone who is angry with someone else unreasonably without offering room for forgiveness commits a sin equivalent to murder. John reiterates this concept in 1 John 3:15. Those who abort are murderers. Those who steal money from government coffers that lead to others death are murderers. Stop killing people. Yoruba people say "Ohun ti o dara ko dara"- What is not good is not good.

4. Wickedness: Heart that devises wicked schemes: This encompasses thinking or conceiving evil against any individual or group for personal benefit or other misguided objectives, like modern-day terrorists indulge in. Any sin is basically a wicked scheme. David's sin against Uriah the Hittite and Bathsheba comes to mind (2 Samuel 11). The heart of an evil man continually contrives schemes to bring others to ruin, whether physically, financially or spiritually. Hate wickedness.

5. Feet that are quick to rush into evil: Those whose feet are quick to rush into evil display no resistance whatsoever to sin. In the Garden of Eden, Eve had the first experience of temptation. She displayed no resistance to the serpent's temptation. Instead, as soon as the devil attracted her to the fruit, she "saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye" (Genesis 3:6). "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Stop rushing to do evil: Rape people. Commit arson. Abuse power. Human trafficking. Scamming people. Stop it!

6. False witness who pours out lies: This is similar to the sin of the lying tongue mentioned earlier, but this form of lying is given special mention as it could send an innocent person to jail or even lead to him being stoned to death as happened to Naboth, thanks to false witnesses instigated by the wicked Jezebel (1 Kings 21:8-14). Christians are new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and, as such, we reflect His nature. We have been released from our "old self" with its evil practices such as lying and bearing false witness. That the times are hard is not a reason to take bribe and lie against innocent person and kill him or her. All these social media assisted killings must stop. Hate false witnessing.

7. A man who stirs up dissension among brothers: Brothers are created by God to live in unity (Psalm 133:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:9). In many situations strife among brothers and even within the church seems unavoidable, but anyone who purposely causes disruption to peace in the body of Christ will displease God above all, since that person gives room for others to sin and for himself to sin further (1 John 2:9-11; 4:19-21). Stop causing trouble in your family, church or office, or nation.

Conclusion. When you hate what God hate you will live in peace with God, that is please God, you will live in peace with your neighbour but most importantly you will live in peace with yourself!

Pastor Amos Dada is a trained engineer with the call of a preacher. Lives in Toronto. Reachable at [email protected]

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