Having the Strength to Hate Evil

Lately, I have been getting this weird sense that some people are confused about whether or not it is acceptable to hate evil. I posted a note about “The Death of Osama Bin Laden” (originally titled “Hatred of Osama Bin Laden) on my Facebook profile and got the strangest comments from an old friend and from another recent friend that seemed to be suggesting that we are supposed to love everything. I hope that I am wrong about this. Even though God is love, and I am expected to love God and others, I refuse to love everything.

One whole day after I posted my note about hating the evil of Osama Bin Laden (OBL), there were four Facebook friends that quoted the following Martin Luther King, Jr. on their status’. (I am assuming that they didn’t want to respond to my status because of the fear that someone else might see their comments or didn’t want to argue publically. I, on the other hand, do not fear man or man’s opinions but only God’s alone.) I once heard that when we have a fear of the Lord, we lose the fear of man.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction....The chain reaction of evil--hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars--must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength To Love, 1963.

In 1 John 2:9 the old prophet says, “If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness.” MLK is correct with his first two sentences. MLK’s third sentence is correct as well. King Solomon said, “If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house (Proverbs 17:13).”

Here’s the problem, when I hate the evils of OBL; that does not make me the evil one, it makes me the righteous one. Why? Because OBL is the evil one! He is the one who unmercifully murdered unarmed and innocent people without provocation. He is the one that was driven by false religion for his hatred of America and what we stand for, which are freedom, truth and justice. Anyone who hates like this man did, is anti-Christ. He is bound by his hatred for everything that is good; he has believed the lie that his evil is good in the sight of his false god, Allah.

The “chain reaction” of evil lies with the people who hate others because of who they are; such as the color of their skin, their religion or nationality. MLK was directing this speech directly to white supremacist. However, this is a universal principle that can be applied to Muslim extremist radicals as well. OBL and others like him started this “war” against the USA, the “infidels” and everything our great nation stands for.

During a time of war (Ecc. 3), it is customary to defend or attack. In this war against terrorism, (which is actually against Islamic Extremists and originates in demonic influence in my book) we are on the defense by attacking the offender before they are able. It’s called strategy and we are in a war to win it, not come out with our tail between our legs crying like dead babies. Why? Because our way of life (freedom, justice) is at stake, my family’s safety is at stake. Even though Christians war not against flesh and blood, our government does.

I support the government, as we should because the government is established by God Himself.
1. Titus 3:1 - “Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.”
2. Romans 13:6 - “Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.”
3. Isaiah 9:6 – “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Now, let’s go back and examine this quote of MLK in the proper context. MLK is not suggesting that we should not hate evil. He is saying that when men hate other men because of the color of their skin, the nation they hail from or the religion they practice, there is unwarranted hatred and it is morally wrong. If I hated OBL because he was Middle Eastern or because his skin color was brown or because he is a Muslim, then MLK’s speech would be applicable to me. But, MLK’s speech does not apply to me because I’m not the one who hates Osama Bin Laden or Muslim’s. I only hate the evil deeds which he has done.

Just because people celebrated when Osama Bin Laden was shot dead, does NOT mean they were happy for his death. Now, if the Muslim’s see American’s celebrating on TV, they may think that we are celebrating the death of OBL. However, I’m not worried about what they think; I’m concerned with the defense of my family and the safety of my temporary home. Furthermore, the death of OBL will not stop the hatred Muslim’s have for the West.

Don’t you remember what happened in the book of Exodus with the Hebrews who were set free from 400 plus years of slavery? Moses, went in to Pharaoh and demands, “Let’s my people go.” Why? Because Pharaoh’s heart was hardened (hate) against God’s people and the Hebrews were unjustly slaves of Egypt. After 10 plagues against Egypt and Pharaoh’s oldest son dies, the Hebrew’s were finally set free. Then afterwards, Pharaoh decided to hate more and sent his army after the Hebrews to kill them in the wilderness.

After God splits the Red Sea and the Hebrew’s travel over to the other side of the sea, the Pharaoh’s armies decide to chase them through the open waters. God released the waters and killed Pharaoh and all his army. Do you know what happened next?

The Hebrew’s sang and song in celebration of their deliverance from the evil Pharaoh’s armies. They weren’t singing to celebrate the deaths of the Egyptians; they were celebrating in the justice of God and of the deliverance from evil. Then after this first song, the prophetess Miriam started dancing and singing unto the Lord for his glorious triumph over Pharaoh’s army. It was justified and appropriate; it was never rebuked.

Moreover, because I quoted God’s word saying, “All who fear the Lord will hate evil (Proverbs 8:13), some people have not properly discerned between the two kinds of hatred. There is a distinct difference between hating a man because of his color and hating because of the evil deeds a man has committed. Do you see it? I don’t hate the man himself; I hate the evil of the man. Even God the Father Himself doesn’t hate the man but hates the evil of man.

Again, God does not hate the man but the evil things (deeds) of the evil men. Speaking to the church members at Ephesus, Jesus says to the people, “But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do (Revelation 2:6).” Therefore, Jesus hates the evil deeds but not the men themselves.

This quote was directed to the Son from the Father in heaven, “You love justice and hate evil (Hebrews 1:9).” Thus, Jesus Christ hates evil and loves justice. Jesus does not love justice and love evil at the same time.

Again, this is a recurring character of God found also in Psalm 97:10 – “You who love the Lord, hate evil!” Therefore, as God hates the evil of men, so should we as followers of Christ hate evil.

In Amos chapter 5 there is a call to repentance for Israel in which the prophet writes, “Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice.” God’s hearts desire for Israel was for them to hate evil, love what is good and to bring criminals to justice. There is nothing wrong with hating evil!

King Solomon, who was the wisest man alive, besides Christ himself, said “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3:1,8).” There is a time and place to hate and if it is evil, you should hate it.

Jesus even made this point clear when he said, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24).” Since God is God and money is a god (idol), no one can serve them both because they are unable to coexist in harmony. God is rooted in pure holiness and money is the root of all kinds of evil. In this way, neither can you serve love and serve hate with love. You must love one and hate the other. That is, to love the good and hate evil. My point is that you cannot love evil and love holiness at the same time. You either have to love or hate, not love and love. Even though God is love, God hates evil.

When a person suggests that we must love everything and hate nothing, there is a lack of discernment and an attitude of indifference. Christians are not supposed to be a people of confusion but of simplicity. There is confusion among these people and a thought process in opposition to the mind of Christ. Why? Because God’s spirit of truth is not within them or they have ignored the Spirit’s teaching and prompting of spiritual truths.

Paul warned Timothy about this saying, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).” You cannot agree with your own theology and deny God’s; they are incompatible.

In conclusion, may I suggest that as followers of Christ we should hate what God hates and love what God loves. I cannot expect unbelievers to follow or accept this biblical teaching because they cannot reason it without the Holy Spirit’s help. Christians cannot love what is evil and love what is good. We cannot hate what is evil and hate what is good in the same breathe.

However, we can love our enemies and be a blessing to them. We can pray for our enemies as well so that they would find Christ. We must hate what is evil and love what is good. This is what the bible teaches; this is what God’s Words says. You can either take it or leave it, it’s your choice.

The Death of Osama Bin Laden

It is not a sin to hate evil. I do not believe in revenge. However, I do believe in justice. Not only is there a time to love but there is also a time to hate. As Christians, we are to hate evil just as God hates evil (Ps 97:10). Proverbs 8:13 says, “All who fear the Lord will hate evil.” King David writes in Psalm 139:19-22 saying, “O God, if only you would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers! They blaspheme you; your enemies misuse your name. O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies.” Hatred is a valid emotion and the proper moral response to the human encounter with inhuman cruelty. I believe that mass murderers bring forth our deepest hatred and contempt the most. How dare you defend the death of Osama Bin Laden; you should ashamed of yourself.

I am not dancing in celebration of Osama Bin Laden’s death. No one is happy to hear of another person’s death. I am celebrating that there is justice that was served by his death. Osama Bin Laden’s death was symbolic and by his death, many people can truly believe and have some closure in their hearts that justice against so many inhuman cruelties was final and gone forever from this world by his hands. By his death, many people can truly believe that good overcomes evil. The same goes for Hitler when he killed himself in his bunker. There was a celebration, not that Hitler was dead but by his death there was victory of good over the evil atrocities he poured out upon millions of innocent people who never deserved death. To dance and celebrate purely over the death of another person, regardless of who they were, is just morally wrong.

On the day that I heard of the death of Osama Bin Laden, I posted the following on my facebook status, “Now that Bin Laden is dead, it's our opportunity to go to the Taliban and bring them to their knees, leaving no survivors, having no mercy. Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out!” The below comments are what I posted after others had commented on my status.

As Christians, we are not commanded to follow the Law of Moses, which include the Ten Commandments. Trying to follow the Law brings a curse of death upon you because you are not living by faith. The whole purpose of the Law was to show you that you are a sinner. No one can be saved by following the Ten Commandments. Now that we know we are sinners, have repented of our sins and received Christ as Savior, we now live under grace by faith. That doesn't mean that we cannot go to war, fight our enemies or that we should be a passive, scared nation of prudes. Jesus never said, “Thou shalt not go to war and defend your-selves.” Jesus expounded upon the Ten Commandments to show you that you need Him, not to make you righteous by following “Thou shalt not….”

Before the Law, Abraham was considered by God to be righteous based upon his faith, not obedience to any laws. Abraham retaliated against his enemies by going to them at night, slitting their throats and killed all of them mercilessly leaving only the war booty behind. He gave ten percent to God, gave thanks and glory to Him for defeating his enemies and God blessed him! Was Abraham being hateful or revengeful? No, he was doing what was right. It's the very same scenario when Jesus returns at the end of the Tribulation period. He will return to destroy all traces of his enemies who stand against Him in defiance. Is Jesus being revengeful or hateful? No, He will be doing what is right. This is what I mean by “Kill ‘em all and let God sort ‘em out.” If Abraham can do it, Jesus can do it and God can do it, why can I suggest it? It’s all with the same heart and attitude. I am not talking about hatred or revenge but of defense and a road to temporary peace. Only true peace comes from Christ. How can you have peace without war when the enemy hates you and wants to kill you mercilessly? Just as Jesus will do and God will do, we will do; that is, take them out before they even begin to attack us again.

There's nothing wrong with praying for your enemies, I recommend it. You should pray that in the war time that there would be an opportunity for all of your enemies to get a chance to hear the gospel, repent and come to Christ. I would do the same thing if I was there. However, in the midst of battle there is no time for talking because there is opposition.

Don’t you understand? The Taliban and Al Qaeda want to kill you, your family and destroy our country! They want Sharia Law to be instituted in the USA! They have nothing but brainwashed hatred against the USA and Christians. I have a godly responsibility to protect my family and my country. But, again if the opportunity came about, I would preach to the Taliban and Al Qaeda the gospel story and offer the chance to receive Christ. However, as I stated before in the midst of war, I cannot do that if I am being shot at or if bombs are being dropped on me!

Christians are not supposed to be a bunch of weak, whiney and introverted cowards. The bible is full of references concerning the Christian life. Paul mentioned the full armor of God; we are soldiers of Christ and in God’s army. When Christ returns to earth, we will follow Christ in white robes on horses as His “army of heaven.” Yes, I understand this is a spiritual war as well as a physical war. However, how can we preach the love of Christ when our enemies want to kill us mercilessly as well? Again, pray for the Taliban and Al Qaeda that during this war that the gospel will reach their hearts. Meanwhile, we must not allow evil men to prosper while good men do nothing.

Please, do not get me wrong. I am not saying that we should NOT have ANY mercy upon those who are our enemies. However, during the heat of battle there is only war and it is a merciless action. However, when there is opportunity for mercy and justice we should extend it to everyone who is willing to receive it.

During a war, people will die; it’s just a fact of life and death. Please do not get me wrong. I am not saying that we should not love our enemies, we should. However, I don’t believe Jesus meant for us to love this evil man in the sense of to “love evil.” To do so is to make a complete mockery of all that is good and just in this world. Don’t you know that when you offer love/respect to a criminal instead of a penalty for his crimes that you automatically justify his actions? I believe that Jesus meant for us to love the evil person but hate the evil of the person.

Therefore, as I stated earlier in this note, this is not unjustified hatred towards Osama; I do not know him personally. I absolutely have no reason to hate Osama Bin Laden on a personal basis. However, I do hate what he has been responsible for, which are the evil acts and atrocities brought upon others by his faulty religious views. The celebration of his death is not personal but symbolic of the end of his evil ways and that justice was served. I am happy to live in a country that values the good over the evil and will not stand by and see innocent people being victimized by cruel, wicked and evil men.