IS HATRED EVER RIGHT??

	What is "hatred?" and, is it ever wrong? Hatred is enmity, or hostility. It is variance that evokes aversion and discord. Something that is hated is loathed because it is contrary to the person. What is hated is detestable, odious, and offensive. Hatred is obviously a strong word, and portrays strong feelings. Is it ever right?

	Not only is hatred right, in certain circumstances, it is essential. Take, for example, the Divine injunction, "You who love the LORD, hate evil!" (Psa 97:10). One of the marks of a godless person is, "He does NOT abhor evil" (Psa 36:4). The Psalmist confessed, "I hate and abhor lying" (Psa 119:163). Other proper objects of hatred include "the work of those who fall away" (Psa 101:3), and "every false way" (Psa 119:104). Jesus said He hated "the doctrine of the Nicolaitans," which allowed the fulfillment of unlawful lusts (Rev 2:15). All of these expressions of hatred result from conformity to the mind of the Lord. What is contrary to our Lord becomes repulsive to those with His mind.

	There is a hatred that is forbidden to the people of God. It is fleshly hatred, or enmity that arises from the "flesh," or "sinful nature." This hatred is to be eliminated from our lives with zeal and immediacy. Such hatred is a "work of the flesh" (Gal 5:20). It will, if not put off in the power of the Spirit, exclude a person from inheriting the kingdom of God (Gal 5:21). Resentment that is not the expression of righteous character is NOT right.

	IS it ever right to hate people? Some people have affirmed that God, for instance, hates no one. But that is not true. Solomon declares seven things "the Lords hates." Among them were some people: "A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren" (Prov 6:16-19). David once said, "I hate the double-minded," and God had it recorded in Scripture for us (Psa 119:113). Again he said, "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 perfect hatred; I count them my enemies" (Psa 139:21-22). This was not a vindictive hatred. It was a clash of character–the evil against the righteous. Notice, he referred to this as "perfect hatred." There was no malice in it, or desire to do evil. He was simply repulsed by those who hated God.

	To the consternation of the flesh. Jesus said, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:26). Again, this is an expression of righteous character. This hatred is not malicious or harmful. In this case, hatred means "think less of." The idea is this: whoever comes to Christ must not allow father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, or his own life, to stand between him and the Lord. Whenever there is a clash between these and the Lord, the Lord must be chosen–without exception.

	Is it ever right to hate? Yes it is – but it is only right in the Holy Spirit. 

– MONDAY: New series: THE ELECTION OF GRACE –