Hate Targets

(Proverbs 10:18 KJV)  He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Contrary to popular opinion, “hatred” (8135) is not always wrong.  For instance the verb form is used a few chapters earlier,

(Proverbs 8:13 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is to hate (8181) evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

The concern is the reason for our hatred and the target for our hatred. 

Too often this feeling is simply a result of an injury to our pride or pocketbook.  Instead of turning the other cheek and going the extra mile we develop an unrighteous anger which morphs into hatred.  That would be sin.

On the other hand when we have social mores that endorse killing unborn children, denying access to opportunity because of skin color or stealing from tax payers to line the pockets of corrupt politicians, hate might be the correct emotion.

So?  God is love.  True.  But God hates evil and so should we.  Keep in mind that we may be sinners but that does not necessarily mean we are evil.