What to Hate; What to Love

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Nov 16, 2015 1302

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good (Romans 12:9).

Does this mean we should hate evil people? If it does, whoever would we share the gospel with? As Jesus deliberately shared the good news with sinners we can conclude that Paul is not referring, in this verse, to people. Rather, he is taking about evil words and evil deeds.

Christians, in whose hearts God has written his new covenant law (Heb. 8:10), should hate disrespect for authority, lying, stealing, adultery, pedophilia, pornography, and murder, etc. None of these abhorrent deeds should find consolation in our thinking at any time. There are books and magazines that should never be seen in our homes. There is stuff on the internet that we should never open, and there are soaps on the TV that followers of the Lord Jesus would be embarrassed to be caught watching. Don’t pollute your mind with such stuff.

What, then, is the good we should cling to? Who could possibly make a comprehensive list of all the good things God has blessed us with? The apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:8, says we should focus our thoughts on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy.

I have learned from my own experience, and the experiences of others, that thinking the right way, comes from living the right way. When you live as Jesus lived, sharing the good news with folk who have nothing to brighten their present lives or their future, sharing your food and drink with the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and prisoners, and comforting the bereaved, your ministry will generate healthy thoughts.