These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 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, and one who sows discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16–19
The Bible speaks of many things that God hates: pride, deceit, division, injustice, and the shedding of innocent blood. He hates these things not because He is a hateful God, but because He is a loving God, and because all these things are harmful to the objects of His great love. That’s why He hates sin.
There are some who hate God and blame Him for all their misfortunes (Deuteronomy 5:9; Romans 1:30). It will do us no good to hate God for our misfortunes, because He is not to blame. When we are tempted to do evil, for example, we cannot say that God is the source of that temptation, because He tempts no one this way (James 1:13–14). The sorrows of this life can all be traced back to sin—the very first sin in fact (Genesis 3:16–19). This is why God hates sin so much.
God hates sin because He loves man. There are many who have branded God as a God of hate because of His stand against many things that mankind has come to embrace. They perceive Him as “intolerant” and as one who wants to unduly restrict His creation in an attempt to keep them from being happy. Isn’t this the lie that Satan tried to press upon Eve (Genesis 3:4–5)? Isn’t this the same thing children often think about their parents when they refuse to let them stay up to watch television or eat junk food all day or participate in unwholesome activities? Paul tells us that God’s correction is in fact an act of love (Hebrews 12:1–11). God hates sin, and so should we.
As Christians, we cannot make alliances with those who hate God. After Jehoshaphat returned safely from aiding Ahab in his battle with the Syrians, God sent Jehu the prophet to him with this sobering message: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you” (2 Chronicles 19:2). If we can make partnership with those who deny the Lord, we cannot have expect to have fellowship with Him (2 Corinthians 6:14–18).
Christians must not support the practice of things the Lord hates. Although Jehoshaphat had no part in the idolatrous practices of Ahab and northern Israel, God condemned his decision to lend aid to an idolater. Paul condemns not only those who practice the sins he lists in his letter to the Romans, but also those who “approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:32). This means that I cannot support sin or the teaching of error. I cannot give money to or volunteer for an organization that teaches error. I cannot support the shedding of innocent blood or support those who sanction abortion. If God hates something, can I accept it? Shouldn’t I hate it also? Instead of hating God, we must direct our hatred to the real problem—sin.
No matter what others may say or think, God is love. How great is His love? The Bible says that He loved us even when we were His enemies (Romans 5:6–10) and that He loved us so much that He was willing to adopt us (Romans 8:14–16) and send His own Son to die for us (1 John 4:9–10). Israel loved everything that God hated (Isaiah 59:1–8), and God judged them for their sins (vv 9–19), but also promised to send a Redeemer (vv 20–21). Will you choose to love the Lord who loved you first, or will you choose to love the things that He hates and that will lead to eternal ruin?