The Foundational Offense: Disregarding God's Sovereignty
At the root of all spiritual corruption lies a singular, devastating offense: the rejection of God's sovereignty, His right to rule, His supreme authority, and His identity as the source of all good. This offense is not merely a mistake of intellect but a rebellion of the will. It is the primal sin that undergirds every other, as it dethrones God in the heart and enthrones self, idols, or darkness in His place.
This affront is so serious because it strikes at the very essence of who God is:
. God’s Sovereignty Expressed in Holiness and Love
• Holiness (Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16): God is absolutely pure, separate from sin, and perfect in righteousness. His holiness demands reverence, obedience, and moral purity.
• Love (1 John 4:8-10; Romans 5:8): His love is not passive affection but active, covenantal commitment. It is seen in His mercy, grace, and the offering of relationship to His creation.
To disregard God’s sovereignty is to reject His holiness (by tolerating or loving sin) and His love (by seeking life apart from Him).
Humanity’s Divine Design and Its Betrayal
God's original design for humanity reveals His sovereign intent:
• Relationship with Him (Genesis 3:8-9; John 17:3): We were made to walk with God intimately, daily.
• Reflection of His Image (Genesis 1:26-28): We are to represent His character—righteousness, justice, love.
• Responsible Stewardship (Genesis 2:15; Psalm 8): We are caretakers of creation, glorifying God through our dominion.
Disregarding God’s sovereignty is not just a violation of a command, it is a betrayal of our very identity and purpose.
The Fruits of Sovereignty Rejection: A Catalog of Abominations
A. The Practical Denial of God
“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” – Psalm 14:1
This is not atheism of the mind but of the heart—a life lived as if God is irrelevant, absent, or unnecessary. Proverbs 9:10 tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. When this fear is cast aside, lawlessness thrives.
B. Idolatry and Occultism: Spiritual Treason
• Idolatry (Deut. 12:31; 29:17): Substituting the Creator with created things is spiritual adultery.
• Demonic traffic (Lev. 20:27; Gal. 5:19-21): Seeking power or knowledge apart from God is a fatal submission to the realm of darkness.
These practices usurp God's throne and invite judgment, for they mock His holiness and defy His authority.
C. Violations of Righteousness and Justice
These sins reflect a disordered society that has forgotten God:
• Pride and deceit (Prov. 6:16-17): Elevating self above God and others.
• Violence and bloodshed (Prov. 6:17): Destroying life made in God’s image.
• Scheming and false witness (Prov. 6:18-19): Weaponizing words to destroy.
• Unjust weights and dishonest trade (Prov. 11:1; Deut. 25:13-16): Turning commerce into a tool of oppression.
• Wicked sacrifices (Prov. 15:8): External religion without inward repentance is offensive to God.
• Justifying the wicked (Prov. 17:15): Perverting justice is to defy the God who is Judge of all.
Every act of injustice is ultimately a denial of God’s nature, for He is a God of justice (Isaiah 30:18).
D. A Reversal of Divine Values
Jesus said, “What is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God” – Luke 16:15.
The world glorifies what God despises: power without humility, wealth without righteousness, pleasure without purity. This value inversion is the fruit of rejecting God's voice and rule.
• Love of money (1 Tim. 6:10): Makes mammon a god.
• Turning from God's Word (Prov. 28:9): Silences divine truth.
• Religious acts from sinful hearts (Isaiah 1:13-15): Are an insult, not an offering.
The Weight of the Word: “Abomination”
The term “abomination” (Heb. toebah) signifies utter detestation. It is reserved for that which is most contrary to God’s nature, a stench in His holy presence. These are not merely bad behaviors—they are deep-rooted hostilities against God's being and order.br>
“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him...”
(Proverbs 6:16-19)
God is not indifferent to sin. His hatred of abomination springs not from cruelty, but from the intensity of His love for holiness, justice, and His creation.
The Call to Response: From Abomination to Alignment
Understanding abomination is not meant to condemn but to awaken:
• To God's holiness: That we might tremble and revere.
• To God's love: That we might return and repent.
• To God's design: That we might live truly.
Through Christ, God provides restoration. The cross reveals both the severity of sin and the magnitude of mercy. What was abominable in us was judged in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21), so that we might be made righteous before God.
Conclusion: Reverence, Repentance, Renewal
Disregarding God’s sovereignty is not a small offense—it is the root of every evil, the poisoned spring of human rebellion. But recognizing this foundational sin brings us to the threshold of transformation. The fear of the Lord is still the beginning of wisdom, and submission to His rule is the gateway to life, peace, and godliness.
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). It serves as a call to self-examination, repentance, and a turning towards a life that reflects God's righteousness and love. By understanding what is deeply displeasing to Him, we can strive to live in a way that brings Him honor and aligns with His perfect will. This wisdom calls us to a life of integrity, justice, love, and unwavering devotion to the one true God.