DEVOTION

God hates sin – and so should we

By David Deffenbaugh and Bill McFarland

THE IDEA is shocking.

It is a thought many people have never even entertained. What is it that is so astounding? It is the fact that God hates. Most often we think of God as love (1 John 4:8).

Love eliminates hate, right? Wrong. As a matter of fact, appropriate hate is a result of love. For instance, Psalm 119 is a very lengthy expression of love and appreciation for God’s word. It is as a result of that love for God’s instruction that the Psalm expresses hatred for “every false way” (Psm. 119:104, 128).

God is love. He loves us as His creation and above all else desires close fellowship with us. That fellowship is destroyed by sin. Sin taints and tarnishes His people and makes association with a holy God impossible. That is why God hates sin. It destroys those whom God loves.

How tragic when people become enamoured with the very things that ruin their relationship with God, the very things God hates.

So, in Proverbs, seven objects of God’s hatred are listed: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.

Yes, God hates these things. And, if we love God, we will hate them too. It is no virtue to love everything. If we love what God hates we are estranged from Him (1 John 2:15). That’s the very problem Jesus died to fix.

So, what do you hate? – KneEmail. 

David Deffenbaugh and Bill McFarland contribute to KneEmail, a Christian resource organisation.