The Hate of the Christian

(Proverbs 8:13 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

A primary goal of a Christian is to be like Jesus.  Think of the words of the hymn,

I have one deep, supreme desire,
That I may be like Jesus.
To this I fervently aspire,
That I may be like Jesus.

When we are meditating on this and praying for it we tend to think of being loving and good.  This verse brings us into a part of the picture we might have missed.  If we fear the Lord, we will “hate” (8130) “evil” (7451b). 

How are we to hate?  Other places the word is translated “foe” and “enemy”.  This is not calling for us to commit acts of violence on the proud, arrogant and perverted.  It means we are to work against the laws they try to pass.  It means we are to oppose their election.  It means we are not to join their clubs or buy their books.  I make it a habit to not shop at Target since they banned the Salvation Army from collecting for the poor at Christmas time.  Is Target evil in the common sense?  No, but they have made decisions against the people of God and don’t deserve my support.

So?  The battle against evil is not usually fought with guns and fists.  It is usually a daily battle in making decisions involving purchases or support.  What causes are stronger today because I supported them yesterday?