These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. - Proverbs 6:16-19
It is not sinful to hate sin, it is sinful to dwell on the sin or hate the person. Sin is a great evil that causes nothing but pain, heartache, and separation. When we sin, it is like a great earthquake that causes a separation between us and God and shockwaves that leave destructive aftermath.
We want to be close to God and walk on the right path, but that sin creates a blockage that we cannot get over, under, through, or around. God knew all of this and that is why He ordained His Son to be the restorer and bridge that allows us to come close to the Father again and get back on the path we are suppose to be on. Sin is something we ought to hate, it is the thing that breaks God's heart and should break ours. It is a vileness that only harms, destroys, and kills. It is righteous anger that we should have for the devastation and catastrophe sin brings.
Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah - Psalm 4:4
Can we hate sin and still sin? Yes, we are not perfect and are not holy yet. We still live in a sin-ridden world with sin in our hearts. That is why Paul talks about wanting to do good, but doing the wrong thing instead. As Christians, we are in a constant battle between good and evil. We have to learn, through the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, how to control the flesh and live in the spirit. It is a daily struggle and process to choose to do what we ought to do instead of what our flesh and sinful hearts desire to do. When we fail, that is when we repent. Repenting is not feeling guilt over getting caught or a feeling of obligation but is a true confession to God of the evil in us that has caused brokenness and distance with our loving Creator. It is a true admittance that we are lost and helpless without Jesus and need His mercy and grace to pour over us. It is hate for the sin, not for the consequence it brings.
Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. - Ephesians 4:25-32
When we see a brother or sister in need of help, living a sinful life, we are to confront them in love, privately. If they still do not turn from their sin, we are to bring another member with us. If they still do not repent, we are to bring it before the church, and if there is still no repentance, they are to depart from the congregation because they have chosen to live in the world rather than obey and worship God.
Dealing with a Sinning Brother
“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” - Matthew 18:15-20
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! - Matthew 18:6-7
We are also to be mindful of others, especially new believers. What may not be a sin to us, such as having a glass of wine at dinner, maybe a stumbling block to someone else, for example, they may struggle with alcoholism, and seeing you drink they may think it is okay and then become drunk which is a sin. We are to be careful of how we live our lives both publicly and privately because God sees all and others are watching us as well.
What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.” “Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” - Romans 3:9-18
We all have sinned! We are not perfect, holy, righteous, or 100% good. With Jesus, we are clothed with HIS righteousness, and through His blood, the Father looks at us as a new and clean creation. This is why we should not condemn or hate others but instead should love them enough to help them turn to Jesus to be cleansed, and to forsake their sinful life/choices. With fervent love, we should strive to help one another walk the straight and narrow path, forgiving each other, encouraging one another, chastising when necessary, and growing spiritually mature together!
And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. - Romans 5:11
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