Hate the Sin but Love the Sinner

Does God Hate Sin?

There are 6 things mentioned in Proverbs chapter 6 that God hates.

Proverbs 6:16–19 (NKJV)

16 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

The the Hebrew word “hate” is defined as “to hate or be hateful” Enhanced Strongs Lexicon.

Proverbs 8:13 (NKJV)

13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.

Zechariah 8:17 (NKJV)

17 Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; And do not love a false oath. For all these are things that I hate,’ Says the Lord.”

It ties in with what Solomon said in Proverbs chapter 6 “A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies,

These things God hates. The wicked are defined as; wicked, criminal. 1a guilty one, one guilty of crime 1b wicked (hostile to God). 1c wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man). (ESL)

Psalm 5:4–5 (NKJV)

4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. 5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity.

Colossians 3:5–6 (NKJV)

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,

Wrath means anger, vengeance, indignation. Things motivated by hatred. It might also be motivated out of love. More later.

Ephesians 5:5 (NKJV)

5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Does God Hate the Sinner?

Psalm 11:5 (NKJV)

5 The Lord tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.

Hosea 9:15 (NKJV)

15 “All their wickedness is in Gilgal, For there I hated them. Because of the evil of their deeds I will drive them from My house; I will love them no more. All their princes are rebellious.

God’s love toward Man—the people of Israel. ESL.

Leviticus 20:22–23 (ESV)

22 “You shall therefore keep all my statutes and all my rules and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. 23 And you shall not walk in the customs of the nation that I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I detested them.

Detest - Abhor: it means to loath or be grieved. It’s not necessarily in the same category as hate, but it’s close.

Romans 9:13 (NKJV)

13 As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”

In this case hated may mean love less by comparison as in Luke 14:26  “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

God wants us to love our parents, honor and respect them. “Honor your father and mother,” which is thDoe first commandment with promise: (Ephesians chapter 6 verse 4)

James 4:4 (NET)

4 Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy.

NKJV says “friendship with the world is enmity with God? Enmity can mean “a cause for hatred” According to the Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon.

1 Peter 3:12 (NKJV)

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Is it a Love/Hate Relationship?

Does God Love the sinner?

Our Outlook Towards Sinners, What Should it Be?