The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul hates.

Psalm 11:5

I wonder if you have ever thought about the things that God hates. We hear a lot about the love of God and the things he loves, but not so much about the things God hates. It is clear to see in the Bible that God hates acts of idolatry, immorality and all kinds of evil. However, God does not just hate the act he hates the soul that commits such sinful acts against Him. The verse at the top of the page shows God’s hatred toward the wicked. The phrase, “God loves the sinner, but hates the sin” is not accurate. God does not punish and send the sin to hell, he sends the sinner. Turn to Proverbs 15, this is a good portion of Holy Scripture to help us understand this point more clearly. Proverbs 15:8-9 says, “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who pursues righteousness.” According to these verses, God hates the way of the wicked and the worship of the wicked. Proverbs 15 goes on to say in verse 26, “Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord, But pleasant words are pure.”

Psalm 5:5 says, “The boastful shall not stand before Thine eyes; Thou dost hate all who do iniquity.” It is clear to see that God hates the thoughts and deeds of the wicked. But who are the wicked? Who are those people that God hates? In the Bible, the wicked are often the people who are against God’s design and plan for the world and mankind. They are those who are outside of Christ. The wicked are the enemies of truth. God hates the wicked because the wicked display their hatred of Him and the Church. There will be many sorrows for the wicked which is why it ought to be the desire of the Church to pray for the wicked and to try to reach them with the Gospel (Psalm 32:10).

Psalm 7:11 says, “God is a righteous judge, And a God who has indignation every day.” God is a righteous and just judge He will pour out his wrath and anger on the wicked for their wickedness. Because He is holy and just God will punish the wicked according to His will. This ought to be a comfort to the people of God. It means that wicked men although they go unpunished on earth will be punished by God at the final judgment. There is hope for sinners who are outside the fold of Christ. Repent and believe the Gospel is the only hope for lost and dying sinners. There is hope for wicked people if they will turn to Christ in faith and repentance. The wicked do not have to be wicked and continue in their wickedness. Turn to Christ and live.