In Psalms 97:10 we read: “Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.”  We live in a world that not only accepts evil, but rejoices in evil.  Certainly, we are in a wicked world.  Those of the world who enjoy sinful activities fail to realize that the pleasures of sin are but for a season (Hebrews 11:25).  There is a day in which the Lord, the righteous judge, will appear and judge men punishing them for the evil that they do (II Corinthians 5:10; Romans 6:23).  In that day the righteous, whom hate evil, will meet the Lord in the clouds and there remain with Him (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).  Christians, who are separated from the world (John 17:14 and Colossians 1:13), need to realize that Satan is hard at work in trying to get us to fall back into the world (I Peter 5:8).

     I know of a person that just hates chocolate.  This individual is not at all tempted when looking at those chewy little pieces of candy that come filled with cream most people seem to enjoy very much.  If we have that attitude towards sin, we will not be tempted to bite when it is before us.  Christians, if faithful certainly love the Lord and we should hate evil.  This attitude will go far in helping to keep us from temptation.

     Jesus came to earth as man and God (I Timothy 3:16).  As He was on earth He too was tempted as man is.  We are blessed in having a mediator in Christ (I Timothy 2:5), who has been through what we face on earth in the way of temptation.  In fact, the Scriptures reveal this to us: “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:14-16).

     Now, since Christ suffered the temptations that we do, why can’t we realize that we can learn from how He overcame those things?  Speaking of Christ the Hebrew writer penned: “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows” (Hebrews 1:9).  Jesus loved righteousness and he hated iniquity.  Thus, he would not give in to that which He hates.

     In contrast to Jesus, there are those who are given to evil.  For example, one of the twelve Jesus had chosen was Judas Iscariot.  From what we read of Judas, he did not hate sin at all.  For example, Judas Iscariot was a thief.  As we read John’s account of the Gospel we find the following: “Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.  There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.  Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.  Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?  This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein” (John 12:1-6).  Judas was the one who sold the life of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16) and his idea of change was suicide [murder of one’s self] (Matthew 27:3-5).  Here is one who had the opportunity to do great things.  He witnessed the Lord in the flesh.  He saw the power of God.  Yet, he did not hate evil.

     We tend to avoid the things we dislike.  If we do not like crowds or traffic we stay away from busy areas at certain times.  If we hate sin we will stay far from it as well.  Peter wrote: “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it” (I Peter 3:10-11).  We should abstain from every form of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22).

     We should never have the attitude that we are strong enough to encounter sin, be surrounded by sinful influences, and be able to overcome those things (I Corinthians 10:12; 15:33).  The Devil knows how to humble those that think they are above sin.  Eternity will tell the record of those who think they can surround themselves with the world and still overcome the world.  In reality, one does not have to wait until eternity to find that many of the called will not be chosen (Matthew 20:16).  If we desire be righteous we simply will not be able to stand the company of evil things or people.

     Jesus said: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other…” (Matthew 6:24).  Paul asked a rhetorical question by asking: “…what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness” (II Corinthians 6:14)?  If that was all that was written within the pages of the Bible showing that good and evil are not companions those two verses would be enough.  While there is much more written on this subject matter, how can it get any clearer?

     We could point out that we are to have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11).  We could point out that we are to abhor [hate] that which is evil and cleave to that which is good (Romans 12:9).  We could point out that Jesus is the light (John 3:17-19) and every one that doeth evil hates the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved (John 3:20).  However, what Jesus said is enough.  What Paul said is the exclamation point.  Good and evil cannot dwell together in harmony.

     “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.  Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph” (Amos 5:14-15).  Seek the Lord and hate evil.  Amos penned those sentiments beautifully.  If we are seeking God we simply must hate evil.  God is not evil, there is no evil in God (I John 1:5), therefore seeking God is seeking everything that is opposite of evil.  A Christian should reflect the attitude of God and God certainly hates evil (Proverbs 6:16-18).

     As Paul is offering his defense before Agrippa, he says the following: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18).  God and Satan are exact opposites just as is light and darkness.  Turning one from darkness to light is turning one from Satan to God.  We cannot sit in the darkness of sin, in the midst of evil, and still claim to be of God.  We must hate evil and avoid it if we are to be of God!  In conclusion, consider the inspired words of the beloved Apostle John: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 1:6-7).