What God Hates

There are many things in this world that we do not like. We don’t like paying taxes, we don’t like getting sick, we don’t like it when people irritate and annoy us. When we dislike something very strongly it turns into hatred. We often hate unpleasant circumstances, and it is unfortunate that many times people begin to hate each other. Hatred is a very strong dislike of something or someone. Strong hatred has led to many cruel and unreasonable wars. Many have been fought for no apparent reason other than hatred for a certain nationality of people or for another country. Hitler had no good reason for persecuting Jews as well as Christians who would not join his army. He simply did not like them, even though they were good citizens of their respective countries. Satan is the author of this kind of hatred. It is totally unreasonable and many times unexplainable.

GOD’S HATRED

When we think of hatred, we think of something negative, associated with the powers of darkness, however this is not always the case. Hatred can be a good thing. There are things that God actually hates.

While sin is evil and from the devil, hatred may not be. It all depends on what you hate. Here is a list of some things that God hates.

“God hates hypocrisy and falsehood.” AA 72

“Not to the early church only, but to all future generations, this example of God’s hatred of covetousness, fraud, and hypocrisy, was given as a danger-signal.” AA 74

“God hates all sin, and when man persistently refuses all the counsel of heaven, he is left to the deceptions of the enemy.” CC 165

“God hates pride, and . . . all the proud and all that do wickedly shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up.” FLB 68

“God hates all coldness, all commonness, all cheap efforts.” 4BC 1141

“God hates hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong.” 4BC 1154. Now some people make excuses for their sinful lifestyle by saying that it is the fault of their parents. It is hereditary. However our God is a great God and He can change a heart of stone into a heart of flesh. Nothing is impossible with Him. If we have hereditary sins and character traits that are negative, we don’t need to make excuses. Jesus can, and is willing to, turn these negative character traits into positive character traits. The only thing lacking is our faith.

“I saw that some professed Sabbath-keepers spent hours that were worse than thrown away studying this or that fashion to decorate the poor, mortal body. While you make yourselves appear like the world, and as beautiful as you can, remember that the same body may in a few days be food for worms. And while you fix it up to your taste to please the eye, you are dying spiritually. God hates your vain, wicked pride, and he looks upon you as a whited sepulchre; but within full of corruption and uncleanness.” 4bSG 20

“Many of them cherish impure thoughts, unholy imaginations, unsanctified desires, and base passions. God hates the fruit borne upon such a tree. Angels, pure and holy, look upon the course of such with abhorrence, while Satan exults. Oh, that men and women would consider what is to be gained by transgressing God’s law! Under any and every circumstance, transgression is a dishonour to God and a curse to man. We must regard it thus, however fair its guise, and by whomsoever committed.” 5T 146

“God hates pretence.” TDG 326. If you don’t want to serve God, stop pretending. Let your true colours be seen. Make a decision. If you choose to follow the Lord, then give Him your all. Give Him 100%. If you choose not to follow Him, then don’t pretend. In the end you will gain nothing.

“God hates deception.” TDG 551

Since God hates all these things, it would stand to reason that we should also. These kinds of character traits will not be in heaven and if we possess any of them, God will hate them, even though He always loves the sinner. Why would we want to possess something that God hates? If we really do love God as we often say we do, we shall strive to let go of anything that God hates.

“God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. ‘I will heal their backsliding,’ He declares; ‘I will love them freely.’ Hosea 14:4.” PK 84. Even though He may hate our sin, He always will love us, and will do all He can for our salvation. He will heal our backsliding. If we are not where we should be spiritually – or if we have gone backwards, there is still hope for us today. The door of mercy may not be open very much longer, but let us act quickly while there is still time if we possess any character traits that God hates.

MAN’S HATRED

While it is true, that there areChristians who have developed this kind of Godly hatred, the majority of the world has an evil kind of hatred – a hatred that comes from Satan. God’s hatred hates the evil acts but loves the sinner. Satan’s hatred ends up hating people, seeking to do harm to the individual that is hated, whether bodily harm or emotional harm, but they love the sin. God’s and Satan’s hatred are exactly opposite as with everything else associated with them. They are as opposite as light is from darkness.

Hatred on this earth often begins in the heart and, for the most part, is motivated by selfish ambition or simply selfish feelings and emotions.

People hate people for various reasons. One reason being that others are impeding their way up the ladder of economic success. They wish to remove these people from the position. Or perhaps they may hate people because of the character traits that are simply irritating to their own character. Or maybe another person has mistreated them – this is a large reason why people hate today. There are so many other reasons that Satan has dreamed up leading man in the pathway of hatred. Once hatred is harboured long enough it will lead to open sin, whether it is to murder, stealing, or some other kind of sin.

People can even be openly friendly as was Judas Iscariot, while harbouring hateful thoughts in their mind. They look good and friendly on the outside. But they are only empty husks. There is no kernel of truth on the inside.

“The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.” Psalm 55:21

Are you a full kernel of corn or just a husk? We want to be kernels….

Here is a description of people who are just husks:
“Those who live upon the husks of others’ failings and deficiencies, and who gather to themselves the unwholesome miasma of their neighbours’ neglects and shortcomings, making themselves church scavengers, are no advantage to the society of which they form a part, but are an actual burden to the community upon which they inflict themselves.” 4T 193. These people have no love in their hearts. Something else is motivating them to be such scavengers, and more than likely it begins with jealousy and envy, leading to hatred.

“Those who measure themselves by others, do as others do, and make no higher attainments, excusing themselves because of the faults and wrongs of others, are feeding on husks and will remain spiritual dwarfs as long as they gratify Satan by thus indulging their own unconsecrated feelings.” 1T 500. It is easy to measure ourselves with man and often members are tempted to measure themselves with the ministers and deacons in the church. Yet these sinful men provide only an imperfect example. Jesus is our perfect example, which we will be expected to follow. Nothing less is acceptable before God. When anyone points out their errors, they are tempted to get angry and make excuses, pointing to the example of the others as their excuse for their spiritual condition. Unless the situation is rectified, this often leads to hatred of the one bringing the reproof.

Those who dislike reproof will do one of two things. Leave the church in frustration or they will attempt to hide their own faults and failings, appearing to be a better person than they really are. These people are called hypocrites. They will cunningly fight against the ones who brought the reproof. It won’t be open opposition, but pretended friendship.
It is all so evil, full of darkness and deceit. Satan has been studying human behaviour and the human mind for thousands of years and has become an expert in deceiving man, leading him to believe he is all right when he is all wrong.
“By the public rebuke of their unbelief these disciples were still further alienated from Jesus. They were greatly displeased, and wishing to wound the Saviour and gratify the malice of the Pharisees, they turned their backs upon Him, and left Him with disdain. They had made their choice, –had taken the form without the spirit, the husk without the kernel. Their decision was never afterward reversed; for they walked no more with Jesus.” DA 392. It is a sad day when those who were once enlightened and on fire for the Lord, turn away, never more to walk with Him.

HYPOCRITES

The point that I want to dwell on a little more now in this second half of the article is: “God hates hypocrisy and falsehood.” AA 72

And —-
“God hates pretence.” TDG 326

These two conditions, God finds very offensive.
A hypocrite pretends to be someone he is not, often trying to look good when they have evil in their hearts. They are pretending to be Christians.

“If hypocrisy is allowed to exist in the heart, it permeates the character and the life.” DA 408

“Hypocrisy always met the severest rebuke from Jesus; while the veriest sinners who came to Him in sincere repentance were received, pardoned, and comforted.” 4T 326. Hypocrisy, if not checked, will lead to greater deception in the future.

“Brethren, while you as a people profess to have light far in advance of other denominations, your works do not correspond with your profession. Many who have been in the darkness of error gladly accept the truth when it is opened to their understanding. Although they have spent their life in sin, yet when they come to God in penitence and with a sense of their sinfulness they are accepted of Him. Such persons are in a more favourable position for the perfection of Christian character than are those who have had great light and have failed to improve upon it. That which leaves men and women in darkness is their neglect to improve the light and opportunities granted them. Christ hates all vain pretence. When on earth, He ever treated with tenderness the penitent, even though they had been the chief of sinners; but His denunciations fell heavily upon all hypocrisy.” 4T 614

It also happens that when people are living a hypocritical life, they make great efforts to cover up their hypocrisy by ambitiously doing other good deeds to make themselves look good. But God reads the hidden secrets in each heart.
“No matter how high his profession, he whose heart is not imbued with love for God and for his fellow men is not a disciple of Christ. Though he should possess great faith, and even have power to work miracles, yet without love his faith would be worthless. He might display great liberality, but should he from some other motive than genuine love bestow all his goods to feed the poor, the act would not commend him to the favour of God. In his zeal he might even meet a martyr’s death, yet if destitute of the gold of love he would be regarded by God as a deluded enthusiast or an ambitious hypocrite.” 5T 168

It is important to understand what really is hypocrisy, as there seems to be little hope for them for often they feel as though they are, “rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” Rev. 3:17.

A hypocritical person reasons that as long as man does not see what he is doing, then it is ok. This is very deceptive. It is, in fact, lying. Often young people try to do things secretly that their parents do not approve of telling themselves that all is well as long as their parents never find out. These people forget that God not only sees all their actions, but makes an accurate record of them all and they will have to answer in the judgment for their deeds.

“The Redeemer of the world never spurned true repentance, however great the guilt; but He hurls burning denunciations against Pharisees and hypocrites. There is more hope for the open sinner than for this class.” 5T 144

“Love to God is the very foundation of religion. To engage in His service merely from hope of reward or fear of punishment would avail nothing. Open apostasy would not be more offensive to God than hypocrisy and mere formal worship.” PP 523

WHO IS NOT A HYPOCRITE

Although at first we may think that the foolish virgins were hypocrites, however they accepted the truth, but simply did not yield themselves to the Holy Spirit. They were still in a very dangerous position.

“The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit’s working. They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their old nature to be broken up. This class are represented also by the stony-ground hearers. They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating its principles. Its influence is not abiding. The Spirit works upon man’s heart, according to his desire and consent implanting in him a new nature; but the class represented by the foolish virgins have been content with a superficial work. They do not know God. They have not studied His character; they have not held communion with Him; therefore they do not know how to trust, how to look and live. Their service to God degenerates into a form. ‘They come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as My people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.’ Eze. 33:31.” COL 411

IN THE END OF TIME

It would be well for each of us to examine our own hearts. Are we living up to the standard of Jesus? Are we living the life of a hypocrite, making excuses for our sin by comparing ourselves with others? Are we allowing our hypocrisy to develop into hatred for those who bring us reproof?

Remember, God hates hypocrisy.

“There are hypocrites now who will tremble when they obtain a view of themselves. Their own vileness will terrify them in that day which is soon to come upon us, a day when ‘the Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.’ Oh, that terror might now lay hold upon them, that they might have a vivid sense of their condition and arouse while there is mercy and hope, confess their sins, and humble their souls greatly before God, that He might pardon their transgressions and heal their backslidings! The people of God are unready for the fearful, trying scenes before us, unready to stand pure from evil and lust amid the perils and corruptions of this degenerate age. They have not on the armour of righteousness, and are unprepared to war against the prevailing iniquity. Many are not obeying the commandments of God, yet they profess so to do. If they would be faithful to obey all the statutes of God they would have a power which would carry conviction to the hearts of the unbelieving.” 2T 446

Thankfully we have a merciful God who wants to help us to change this fearful condition, however our time is running out. “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Romans 13:11

Even our prayers can be hypocritical. “The prayers that are offered to God to tell Him of all our wretchedness, when we do not feel wretched at all, are the prayers of hypocrisy. It is the contrite prayer that the Lord regards. ‘For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, ‘whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, and with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’” MYP 247

WHAT THE CHURCH NEEDS

First of all, the greatest need is love. However just saying we love our brethren is not enough. We need to show that we love them.

“The church is in need, not of burdens, but of earnest workers; not of faultfinders, but of builders in Zion. Missionaries are really needed at the great heart of the work–men who will keep the fort, who will be true as steel to preserve the honour of those whom God has placed at the head of His work, and who will do their utmost to sustain the cause in all its departments, even at the sacrifice of their own interests and lives, if need be.” 4T 194

A hypocritical person thinks only of themselves, while denouncing others. Hypocrisy can also conceal hidden hatred – Satanic hatred. We must guard against the sin of speaking evil of others as this leads to not only hatred on our part, but also we spread the deadly seeds of hatred to our listeners.

“Cultivate the habit of speaking well of others. Dwell upon the good qualities of those with whom you associate, and see as little as possible of their errors and failings. When tempted to complain of what someone has said or done, praise something in that person’s life or character. Cultivate thankfulness. Praise God for His wonderful love in giving Christ to die for us. It never pays to think of our grievances. God calls upon us to think of His mercy and His matchless love, that we may be inspired with praise.

“Earnest workers have no time for dwelling upon the faults of others. We cannot afford to live on the husks of others’ faults or failings. Evil speaking is a twofold curse, falling more heavily upon the speaker than upon the hearer. He who scatters the seeds of dissension and strife reaps in his own soul the deadly fruits. The very act of looking for evil in others develops evil in those who look. By dwelling upon the faults of others, we are changed into the same image. But by beholding Jesus, talking of His love and perfection of character, we become changed into His image. By contemplating the lofty ideal He has placed before us, we shall be uplifted into a pure and holy atmosphere, even the presence of God. When we abide here, there goes forth from us a light that irradiates all who are connected with us.” MH 492

May God help us to put away all hypocrisy and hatred, learning to channel all hatred into the things that God hates (hating all manner of sin), thus allowing the love of Jesus to come into each of our hearts. In this way we can fulfil the commission that He has given to us of being light bearers in this dark world. Jesus is coming soon. Will you be ready?
AMEN

Wendy Eaton