Proverbs 26:25
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When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
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Hateful people cannot be trusted. Kind words from their mouths are meant to deceive, and only fools will believe them. They will slice you badly, when it is helpful to their cause. Their hearts are full of abominable thoughts, even while they piously use gentle words and pretend to be friendly and virtuous.
We have a context for this proverb, an immediate one and a larger one. The immediate context describes hateful persons (26:24). These wicked murderers use words to pretend to be something they are not. They plan and plot how to conceal their wicked malice, even while they are lying to you about their intentions. They will not get away with it for long, for they will be exposed before all good men (26:26).
The larger context is a collection of proverbs dealing with hateful talebearers and other deceivers (26:17-28). In twelve verses, the Preacher lists the various ways in which hatred, lying, talebearing, and contentions lead to strife, trouble, and judgment. The world would be a better place if all such persons were thrown on the dunghill (26:23), but God will surely judge them in ways similar to what they planned for others (26:27).
Good words and fair speeches may deceive the simple and the sentimental, but all good men reject words; they measure always and only by actions. Even a child's character is known by his actions, whether he is pure and right (20:11). You can know a murderer by his fruits, not by his words (Matt 5:21-22; 7:16; Jas 3:12).
Seven is the perfect number in Scripture and means a complete amount. A hateful person has a full array of abominations in his or her heart, no matter what they say in public. And you will give them extra advantage to harm you, if you believe their lying words.
Cain was such a person. He talked to Abel; but a knife was in his hand, and hatred in his heart (Gen 4:8). Joseph's brethren comforted their father, though they were the very cause of his grief (Gen 37:35). Saul offered David his daughter, only for the purpose of killing him (I Sam 18:17). Absalom waited two whole years and begged for his brothers to come to a party, so that he might kill Amnon (II Sam 13:22-29). Judas promised undying loyalty to our Lord, but betrayed him with a kiss that very night (Matt 26:35).
Our lessons? First, be vigilant around a hateful person. Reject his words, for he is a liar. His heart is full of malicious abominations. Second, be faithful in all your relations, even in your heart, lest you even appear like this despicable and damned creature.
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