Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Proverbs 8:13
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” This verse ties reverence for God to ethical behavior. Fear of the Lord isn’t terror but awe leading to righteous living. Wisdom identifies particular sins: pride, arrogance, the “evil way,” and a deceitful mouth. The speaker’s explicit stance shows that genuine wisdom rejects what harms others and distorts truth.
The passage affirms a core biblical principle: right relationship with God produces right conduct. God’s hatred of evil is not personal vindictiveness but a righteous commitment to truth, justice, and human flourishing. It also clarifies that speech—the mouth—matters deeply in moral life, aligning with James’ insistence that the tongue reveals the heart (James 3:5-12).
Ask: what attitudes and speech need reform in my life? Combat pride by practicing humility; guard your words against sarcasm, manipulation, or deceit. Practical example: in leadership or parenting, model a posture of teachability and honesty, especially when confronting mistakes. If you catch yourself speaking arrogantly, pause, apologize, and replace prideful language with words that build others up and seek truth.
Cross-References
- James 4:6-7
- Romans 12:3
- Psalm 19:14
- Ephesians 4:29