What and How to Hate…to Hate?

Proverbs 30:11-16

Jesus saw a crippled man in the midst of a group of religious leaders and watched their reaction which Mark described as “hardness of their hearts.” Then it is said of Jesus that He “looked around at them with anger.” (Mark 3:5)  Jesus, angry? Yes! The Greek word translated “anger” is “orge.” It speaks of a controlled displeasure, resentment,  and indignation. The New Testament urges all believers to “be angry and sin not.” (Ephesians 4:26)  But at WHAT and HOW?

The wisdom book of Proverbs gives us four characteristics that should arouse the anger of a believer and cause hate.  Remember the Bible says about HOW to hate. In Proverbs 30 the expression “There is a generation,” literally means, there is a class of people. In every generation there have been classes of people who meet these standards. Four behaviors are abhorrent to God and should be hated by us.

A SPIRIT OF ANARCHY – Vs. 11  (Rebellion)

Anarchy means rebellion. It can happen on a national scale or within a family. Where there are children who curse their father and do not bless their mother, a spirit of anarchy, that is, rebellion prevails.

A SHOW OF ACCEPTABILITY – Vs. 12  (Hypocrisy)

Self-righteousness and hypocrisy are unacceptable to God. 

No person does worse things than those who are right in their own eyes. None are further from righteousness than those who are righteous in their own eyes. 

A STATE OF ARROGANCE – Vs. 13  (Pride)

“These persons are characterized as having uplifted eyes and raised eyebrows.”  This speaks of false pride and arrogance. They are self-centered egotists.

A SENSE OF AVARICE –  Vs. 14  (Greed)

This verse describes the viciousness of those who are preoccupied with money. They will destroy others and themselves to get it.

God is said to “Hate all the workers of iniquity.” (Psalm 5:5)

The Psalmist aligned himself with God in hate: “Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with a perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.” (Psalms 139: 21, 22)

“Perfect hate” involves resistance to all who hate that which is good by God’s standard. Just as it is our duty to love all people, so it is our duty to hate all opposition to God and His will. To hate a person for his own sake is wrong, but to hate all forms of opposition to God’s will and Word is “perfect hate.”

Now, go back and read the above definition of how to hate.