Psalm 97:7-11
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods! 8 Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O Lord. 9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. 10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
In verse 10 we are commanded to "hate evil". Do I hate evil? Note that "hate" is a pretty strong word. It suggests that it is not okay to "tolerate" evil, but instead we should be actively working against evil. There is a lot of evil in the world, and unfortunately a lot of sexual evil that is flaunted or even celebrated in some circles. Yet it is so easy to shrug and walk away, not wanting to appear like some judgemental hypocrite. Or worse yet, maybe secretly lusting after some of the evil that we see around us. But the world needs to hear the truth, to hear a spade called a spade. The truth is that those who boast of evil are following idols and will be put to shame (verse 7). God calls us to worship Him and Him alone, and to love the good and hate the evil.
Lord, help me to love what You love, and hate what You hate.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods! 8 Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O Lord. 9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. 10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 11 Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.
In verse 10 we are commanded to "hate evil". Do I hate evil? Note that "hate" is a pretty strong word. It suggests that it is not okay to "tolerate" evil, but instead we should be actively working against evil. There is a lot of evil in the world, and unfortunately a lot of sexual evil that is flaunted or even celebrated in some circles. Yet it is so easy to shrug and walk away, not wanting to appear like some judgemental hypocrite. Or worse yet, maybe secretly lusting after some of the evil that we see around us. But the world needs to hear the truth, to hear a spade called a spade. The truth is that those who boast of evil are following idols and will be put to shame (verse 7). God calls us to worship Him and Him alone, and to love the good and hate the evil.
Lord, help me to love what You love, and hate what You hate.