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The idea that God might "hate" can be confusing or even unsettling. After all, we've always been taught that God is love. So, does God hate, and if so, what does He actually hate?

What Does Scripture Say?

The Bible clearly states in several places that God hates certain things:

  • Psalm 5:5 says, "The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong."

  • Psalm 11:5 further emphasizes this, saying God hates "those who love violence."

  • Proverbs 6:16-19 lists specific attitudes and behaviors that God finds detestable, including pride, dishonesty, violence, wickedness, and conflict.

  • In Malachi 1:2-3, God states, "Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated." This verse particularly highlights God's rejection of Esau’s lifestyle and choices.

These scriptures collectively reveal an essential aspect of God's character: His perfect holiness and justice lead Him to oppose evil passionately. God’s hatred is not impulsive or emotional like human hatred. Instead, it is His righteous rejection of sin because of the harm it causes to His creation.

God’s Hatred vs. Human Hatred

Human hatred typically stems from selfishness, anger, bitterness, or personal offense. In contrast, God's hatred is fundamentally different. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God's ways and thoughts are far beyond our own. James 1:20 confirms this by pointing out that human anger doesn't achieve the righteousness God desires. God’s hatred is righteous, pure, and directed solely at sin and injustice, not at people themselves.

Can God Hate and Love Simultaneously?

It might seem contradictory, but yes, God's hatred of sin and His love for humanity coexist perfectly. John 3:16-17 and Romans 5:8 demonstrate clearly that God's profound love led Him to send Jesus to reconcile humanity to Himself, even while He passionately rejects the sin separating us from Him.

Deeper Insight: Romans 9:15-18

Romans 9:15-18 sheds further light on how God interacts with humanity:

"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion... God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden."

This passage emphasizes that God's decisions about mercy and judgment are based entirely on His sovereign will, not human effort or merit. Even human rebellion (like Pharaoh’s) can serve His higher purpose, displaying His power and ultimately His grace.

Practical Life Application: Cultivating Holiness

Understanding God's holiness and His righteous hatred of sin calls us to examine ourselves carefully. How can we respond practically to God's call for holiness?

Here are several practical steps to grow closer to God's heart and avoid behaviors that grieve Him:

  1. Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation: Regularly immerse yourself in God's Word (Psalm 119:11, Joshua 1:8).

  2. Consistent Prayer Life: Pray daily for wisdom, strength, and grace to resist sin (Matthew 26:41, Philippians 4:6-7).

  3. Accountability Partnerships: Build relationships with other believers who encourage and challenge you spiritually (Proverbs 27:17, James 5:16).

  4. Guarding Your Thoughts: Focus intentionally on pure, noble, and godly thoughts (Philippians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 10:5).

  5. Avoiding Temptation: Intentionally avoid situations and environments that lead to sin (1 Corinthians 10:13, Proverbs 4:14-15).

  6. Practicing Humility and Regular Confession: Regularly confess sins to God, maintaining a humble heart open to His correction (1 John 1:9, James 4:6-7).

Commitment and Reflection

Consider this personally: what specific commitment can you make this week to grow in holiness and strengthen your relationship with God?

Final Thought

God’s "hatred" serves as a powerful reminder of His holiness and His deep desire for our well-being. Embracing this understanding helps us live authentically transformed lives—aligned with His heart, passionately avoiding what grieves Him, and joyfully pursuing righteousness through Christ.

Take a moment now to pray, asking for God’s strength and grace as you make your commitment to walk closely with Him.