Response
In Romans 12:9–21, the apostle Paul presents a series of brief encouragements focusing on living and loving sacrificially in all circumstances and relationships. He starts with this plea: “Let love be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” « Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. », (Romans 12:9, ESV). Paul’s instruction emphasizes that individuals who conquer evil with genuine love demonstrate the characteristics of a genuine Christian.
In the original text, the term translated as “abhor” means “to find repugnant, hate, loathe, dislike, and have a horror of.” The word for “evil” in Romans 12:9 refers to “morally objectionable conduct.” The appropriate Christian response to wicked behavior is strong opposition to the extent of being horrified by it and feeling hatred towards it. As Paul mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:22, believers should “abstain from every form of evil.” It is crucial to understand that detesting what is evil involves rejecting or hating sinful actions. Believers are not to reject or hate sinful individuals who commit evil deeds, but rather their immoral conduct.
Through the prophet Amos, God urged the people of Israel to turn away from their corrupt ways. If they would “seek good and avoid evil,” then they would live « Seek good, and not evil, that you may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as you have said. », (Amos 5:14, NLT). If they would resist the prevailing immorality—if they would detest evil behavior and instead love what is honorable, truthful, and just, if they would uphold justice rather than suppress it (Amos 5:10-12)—then the Lord would b
Be with them to defend them rather than to judge them.
God hates evil (Psalm 5:4-6; Proverbs 6:16-19). David said, “O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked” «For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: Neither shall evil dwell with thee. », (Psalm 5:4, NLT). Because God is holy, He hates sin and wickedness.
Scripture says, “God is love” «He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. », (1 John 4:8, 16) «And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. », (1 John 4:8, 16), but it also teaches that “God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day” «God judgeth the righteous, And God is angry with the wicked every day. », (Psalm 7:11). Because God is holy «Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; For the LORD our God is holy.», (Psalm 99:9), His wrath against evil is as much a part of His character as His love. The love of God is pure and holy. The Lord loves justice, truth, righteousness, and holiness and therefore must hate wickedness, sin, and evil. If God did not abhor what is evil, He could not be a God of holy love.
Thus, those who have genuine love for God will also abhor what is evil: “Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked” «Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of his sa
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. », (Psalm 97:10).
David vowed, “I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I detest what faithless people do; I will have no part in it” «I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: I hate the work of those who turn aside; It shall not cling to me. », (Psalm 101:3). When confronted with evil behavior, God desires us to abhor it so intensely that we reject involvement in it.
When evaluating the content we watch on television or view online, do we encounter anything vile, evil, or offensive to God? When reflecting on the actions we partake in privately or with others, are there deeds the Lord would want us to avoid? The Scriptures instruct us to distance ourselves from the impurities of the world (Isaiah 52:11;2 Corinthians 6:17;James 4:8) and “purify ourselves from everything that can contaminate our body or spirit. Let us strive for complete holiness because we reverence God” «Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. », (2 Corinthians 7:1, NLT). Our sincere love for the Lord and others should compel us in every situation and relationship to detest evil and cling firmly to what is good.
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