Hate
Biblically speaking, hatred seems a bit confusing. We are commanded not
to hate, yet sometimes we are commanded to hate. If we hate what is good,
that is bad. If we hate what is bad, that is good. In other words, love
what God loves, and hate what God hates. Hatred can be both a positive
and negative action. The phrase "Love the sinner but hate the sin"
expresses this concept well. Just as God loves humanity but detests sin,
we are to love fellow sinners but hate sinful deeds.
If a person continually hates others, he or she
is essentially a murderer and a liar, and is probably not a genuine believer.
1 John 2:9-11; 3:15; 4:20
We are to get rid of hatred in our lives.
Proverbs 10:12
Galatians 5:19-21
Ephesians 4:31
Colossians 3:8
Hatred can actually be a good thing when it is directed toward
corruption, that is, things that are not of God.
Psalm 45:7; 119:104, 128, 163
Proverbs 13:5
Romans 12:9
Hebrews 1:9
James 4:4
To fear the Lord (see Fear) is to hate evil. God hates sin and
wickedness in all its forms.
Proverbs 6:16-19; 8:13
Isaiah 61:8
Malachi 2:16
Jesus warns Christians that the world will hate them because of
the world's hatred for him. He promises us, however, that ultimately we
will be saved from the world.
Matthew 10:22
Luke 6:22-23
John 15:18-25
God figuratively hated Esau (see Esau) and Edom (the nation of
Esau's descendants; see Edom) because they were not chosen, as Jacob was,
to receive the blessing of Isaac and of the Lord. This demonstrates God's
power and mercy and the fact that we are chosen by God. (see Choose).
Ezekiel 35:5-6
Malachi 1:2-3
Romans 9:10-13
God instructs us to "hate" our families and even ourselves,
meaning that, in order for us to be fully devoted to him, our families
and our own lives are to take second place to him.
Matthew 10:34-38
Luke 14:26
John 12:25
Ephesians 5:28-29
We are strictly instructed to love our enemies and do good to
them, not to hate them.
Leviticus 19:17
Matthew 5:43-45
Luke 6:27-28 |