Introductory Thoughts
The Lord is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14). He calls upon His people to follow Him with an undivided heart. One facet of our calling involves hating evil. Our love for the Lord will naturally breed a hatred for the things of this world. Throughout the psalms, we find statements of hatred from the people of God. They hated “the congregation of evil doers” (Psalm 26:5), “them that regard lying vanities” (Psalm 31:6), “the work of them that turn aside” (Psalm 101:3), “every false way” (Psalm 119:104, 128), “vain thoughts” (Psalm 119:113), and “covetousness” (Proverbs 28:16). God never intended for these truths to be limited to His children in Old Testament times. Just as the Bible commands that we should love the Lord and the brethren, it also commands that we should hate things contrary to the Lord.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): We are supposed to hate evil and should have perfect hatred as king David describes in Psalm 139:21-22. We must love God and stay away from evildoers (Psalm 119:115)..
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(For everyone): Why did the people of God hate evil, vain thoughts, and covetousness? How do these things affect our fellowship with the Lord?
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Do you hate evil? Do you hate every false way? Do you hate vain thoughts? If not, what is the root of the problem? Is it possible that you do not love the Lord the way that He demands?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to increase your love for Him.
- Ask Him to increase your hatred for this world.
Song
JESUS, THOU JOY OF LOVING HEARTS!
