Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ~ Romans 12:9
There are few things more frustrating to me than watching a highly competitive sporting event between two teams that ultimately ends in a tie. Perhaps this is why I’ve found it impossible to develop more than a mere casual interest in soccer over the years. There’s just something about a draw that seems contrary to having a contest altogether.
Perhaps that’s why I’ve always appreciated professional athletes like Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and Muhammad Ali. These guys loved competing and were the absolute best in the world during their primes. Their deep hatred of losing was topped only by their desperate love of winning.
As I read the Apostle Paul’s thoughts about hating what is evil and clinging to what is good, I’m reminded that there can be no draw in this battle between good and evil. Ties are impossible; one side must prevail. And we must, at all costs, develop a winning attitude.
Paul went on to say in Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”
Paul could’ve chosen other words to describe the constant interaction between the flesh and the Spirit. He could’ve used the term disagreement, or squabble, or quarrel. But he didn’t. He chose the word conflict. They are opposed to one another; they are opponents. The wording is significant because Paul refused to downplay the seriousness of this perpetual warfare between good and evil, the Spirit and the flesh.
The world would have us believe that we are all merely referees officiating this battle of good and evil within us, and that it really doesn’t matter which side wins; that everybody prevails a winner in the end.
But Paul sees this quite differently. And most importantly, so does God.
The Gospel truth is this: unless we come to a place in our relationship with Christ that we sincerely hate the sin in our lives, death awaits us. We can’t cling to the ways of the world and yet walk in Christ – remaining free from God’s law that judges humanity according to His law. We have to pick a side, there’s no best of both worlds, no fence sitting.
So how do we learn to hate the sin in our lives?
- We start by understanding the consequences of our sin; how it brings sickness, sorrow, shame, and death. We learn of the impact it has on our families, our relationships, our communities, and most importantly – how it separates us from God. And The more we understand our sin, the more we hate it.
- We learn to love God more. The more we love God, the more we want to learn about Him and His purpose for us. The more we love and learn, the more we begin to trust. The more we trust, the more we want to become the person He created us to be.
- The more time we devote to reading Scripture and communicating with Him through prayer, the more we hate our sin. It is impossible to move closer to God without moving further away from our sin.
- When we truly care about unsaved family members and friends, the more we hate our sin. When unsaved people in our lives see our sin, it’s easier for them to question the sincerity of our testimony and faith in Christ. Caring about those who desperately need a loving and intimate relationship with God compels us to hate our sin.
- The more we think about Jesus’ death on the cross; the physical pain and suffering he endured; the mocking and humiliation he endured; that he died so that our sin would be erased and that we would receive God’s grace and eternal salvation – the more we hate sin in our lives.
Friend, all of us are tempted to sin. But the Bible says that we will never encounter a tempting situation that God will not provide a way out for us. And Paul again tells us what we are to do when we come face-to-face with temptation in 2 Timothy 2:22: “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
The only way we can turn from sin is by turning to God.
Today’s prayer: God, thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for giving me an exit plan to escape temptation and sin. Help me Lord to move closer to you, to flee the evil that my flesh desires. Please send your Holy Spirit to lead me in my day to day walk in a way that is pleasing to you. Help me, Father, to hate the sin in my life and to live in your love and freedom. In your Son’s precious and Holy Name, Amen.
Former Blackout Artist 