INTRODUCTION

The Lord is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
See All...). 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 26:5I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
See All...), “them that regard lying vanities” (Psalm 31:6I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.
See All...), “the work of them that turn aside” (Psalm 101:3I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
See All...), “every false way” (Psalm 119:104Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
See All..., 128), “vain thoughts” (Psalm 119:113I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
See All...), and “covetousness” (Proverbs 28:16The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
See All...). 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

• (For children): We are supposed to hate evil and should have “perfect hatred” as king David describes in Psalm 139:21-22 [21] Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? [22] I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
  See All.... We must love God and stay away from evildoers (Psalm 119:115Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
  See All...)..
• (For everyone): Why did the people of God hate evil, vain thoughts, and covetousness? How do these things affect our fellowship with the Lord?
• 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 NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to increase your love for Him.
• Ask Him to increase your hatred for this world.

HYMN

JESUS, THOU JOY OF LOVING HEARTS!

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