As Christians, it can be a challenge to know how to understand and interpret certain words and passages in The Bible. A phrase that is often used that carries a lot of weight is ‘detestable’, so today, we will be looking at what it means in The Bible and how it applies to our lives.
In The Bible, the Hebrew word ‘toevah’ is translated as ‘detestable’. The word stems from a root in the Hebrew language meaning ‘turn away’ or ‘reject’. It is used in The Bible to describe acts or things that God considers morally wrong or revolting. Examples of such acts described as ‘detestable’ in The Bible include idol worship, certain sexual practices, and unethical treatment of others.
Theologians suggest that the detestable acts mentioned in The Bible serve as a blueprint to spiritual life and practice, and as a reminder of our need to remain close to God. By adhering to the scriptural guidelines, we are more likely to lead more God-pleasing lives.
How do we know what is considered detestable and what is not? The answer lies in the Bible itself. The Bible is composed of 66 separate books written by various authors over a span of time, but all books highlight and stress the same common truths about holiness and morality. The overall message: what glorifies God and what displeases Him are threads woven throughout The Bible and paint an overall picture of which behaviors are deemed as detestable.
Not only can we look to The Bible as a source of information on what is detestable, but we can also look to the actions of Jesus. Jesus exemplified a life that was dedicated to love, justice and mercy. He lived a life of compassion, humility, and service that reflects the core values the Bible teaches. Understanding and emulating Jesus’s example can be a great help in discerning what acts should and should not be considered detestable.
Finally, we may also look to God’s general commandments and commands to provide insight into what is considered detestable in The Bible. Much of the detestable acts mentioned in the Bible are usually in violation of one or several of The 10 Commandments, or have some relationship with those laws. The 10 Commandments provide a guide of sorts for life, and understanding of their application should provide insight into what exactly The Bible considers detestable.
How Does Detestable Relate to Sin?
The Bible can help us understand the concept of sin from a spiritual standpoint. All sin, no matter how ‘small’, is deemed detestable in The Bible. Sin can be categorized in a few ways. Sins of omission are those in which we fail to act or speak out against something that is wrong or unjust. Sins of commission, on the other hand, involve an active, intentional involvement in something that goes against the moral standards of The Bible. Both omission and commission are considered to be sin, and both are deemed detestable.
Further still, The Bible makes a distinction between sins that are voluntary and those that are involuntary. An involuntary sin is a sin that occurs without the knowledge, approval or intention of the actor, while a voluntary sin is a sin that is done with a full understanding of its implications and consequaences. By making this distinction, The Bible shows its understanding that acts of sin are not always done with malicious intentions, and that should be taken into consideration when making judgments about our own or others sins.
Being aware of our own sins and the sins of others, and understanding which sins are voluntary and which are involuntary, can help us to have a better understanding of which acts are considered detestable in The Bible.
What Does Detestable Mean in Relation to God’s Authority?
The Bible teaches that God is the ultimate authority, and that His Word should be taken as truth. God gave mankind His moral law in order to lead a life pleasing to Him, so anything contrary to this law is considered detestable in His eyes. We may think that some acts are not that bad, but if those acts are going against the ethical framework established by God, then they must be considered detestable.
Our knowledge of what is considered detestable can also help us to recognize our role in upholding God’s authority. We may think that it is up to the Church or the government to enforce God’s law and His moral code, but it is ultimately up to each of us as individuals to recognize and understand the things that God hates and then to chosen not to engage in those activities. To put it simply, we should be mindful of what is detestable in the eyes of God and choose not to do those things.
The Bible also gives us guidance on how to interact with others in light of what is detestable. We are commanded to pursue peace, love and justice for all, which includes not only avoiding detestable acts ourselves, but also avoiding even the appearance of such acts. This can be challenging in our own lives, but it is important to remember that we serve a God worthy of our devotion and obedience.
How Can We Apply Detestable to Our Lives?
Fortunately, we have a great many resources from which we can draw from to determine what is considered detestable in the Bible. Understanding what is detestable is important, because it helps us to stay in line with God’s will and to avoid sin.
The Bible gives us a few guidelines that can help us decipher between detestable and non-detestable activities. Firstly, any action that goes against the Word of God and The 10 Commandments must be considered detestable. Secondly, any action that is in line with the actions of Jesus and the example that He set must not be considered detestable. Finally, any action in the pursuit of peace, love, and justice must not be considered detestable either.
We must also remember that when making moral decisions, we must understand that all acts of sin are detestable, but we must be especially careful to consider the things that The Bible explicitly deems as ‘abomination’ before doing or participating in them. With knowledge and guidance, we can make sure that our lives glorify God and that our decisions align with His will.
What Are Some Detestable Sins Mentioned in the Bible?
Some examples of sins mentioned in The Bible as detestable include idol worship, sexual immorality, violation of the Ten Commandments, dishonesty, injustice, and neglect of the poor. These sins are considered particularly egregious in the eyes of God, and are explicitly mentioned as detestable in The Bible.
So while it is important to recognize that all sins are detestable in the eyes of God, we must make sure that we pay special attention to the sins that are flagged as particularly detestable. Knowing the Bible’s admonitions can help us to avoid becoming involved in activities that are considered detestable.
We may also look to the sins of others to gain insight into what is considered detestable. In the Bible the sins of King Saul, King David and the nation of Israel are documented, and from these stories, we can learn valuable lessons about what is considered immoral in the eyes of God.
Ultimately, whether it is through Jesus’ example, The 10 Commandments or The Bible itself, we have a great many reliable sources from which to draw for insight into what is considered detestable in the eyes of God.
What About Detestable Acts Against Others?
In addition to those activities flagged as particularly detestable, The Bible also speaks out against the destructive behaviors that we can exhibit towards one another. The Bible teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and it also reminds us that while no act of sin is good, it is particularly egregious to turn our hurt and anger outwards towards others.
Although we may think that our lives are separate from that of others, The Bible teaches us that this is not the case. We are all made in the image of God, and so any action that goes against the dignity and sanctity of another person’s life is considered detestable.
God’s ultimate desire is for us to love one another, and this includes understanding and respecting the human need for autonomy, self-determination and respect. Any act which diminishes or disempowers another person is considered detestable in The Bible, and so we must make sure that our behavior does not contravene this spiritual truth.
What Are Some Detestable Attitudes?
The Bible also speaks against attitudes and dispositions which are considered anathema to a life in God. Some of the attitudes considered detestable in The Bible include arrogance, disobedience, disrespect, greed, and anger.
It can be difficult to recognize these attributes as detestable, because they are often seen as character traits that can be desirable in our world. However, when we look to The Bible, it becomes clear that these attitudes and behaviors can lead us away from God and towards sin.
By recognizing these attitudes as detestable, we can ensure that they do not become part of who we are. It can be difficult to recognize and identify these attitudes in ourselves, but we must remain steadfast and determined to live a life pleasing to God and free from sinful behaviours.
The Bible also speaks out against complacency and apathy. These attitudes can leads us to be negligent in our duties, and can also allow us to give into worldly temptations that can lead us away from our spiritual calling. We must never forget that God has called us to a calling of holiness, and that anything that distracts us from that truth should be considered as detestable.
