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“You who love the Lord, hate evil!”  Psalm 97:10

Hate. The word itself elicits emotions—particularly in our current raw and divisive world. In fact, the hate in our country is practically palpable. We hate a particular political platform, we hate the words and actions of others, and—dare I say—we hate one another, even those we don’t know anything about other than by their social media posts.

So, as Christians, what are we do think, feel, and do with “hate”? Are we to always hate “hate” and only love, regardless of the situation? Are we to be tolerant of evil, because to do otherwise would be “hateful”? The Word of God has a lot to say about it, guiding us to understand that there is “a time to love and a time to hate” (Ecclesiastes 3:8).

1. God hates evil.

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19)

The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. (Psalm 11:5)

2. We are to hate evil.

You who love the Lord, hate evil! (Psalm 97:10)

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9)

3. The world will hate you.

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18-19)

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)

4. The Lord will avenge evil.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:18)

For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. (Psalm 5:4-6)

Sisters, we are to hate evil as the Lord does. But we are also to love our enemies and bless those who curse and hate us (Matthew 5:43-45). This precarious balance of love and hate is very hard—especially as the world’s hatred for the Truth (and believers) is deepening. But who ever said being a Christian was easy?

“Lord, it is so hard to look around at the evil in our culture and not be hateful to its perpetrators. Help me stand firm in hating evil but loving evildoers—and know that, ultimately, You will make all things right.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life