Scripture

He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly, do not believe him . . . though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed...
(Proverbs 26:24-26)

Devotional

We can attempt to cover our feelings, but if our feelings are filled with hatred, that wickedness will eventually be revealed. We cannot hide forever who we really are. As the Bible says in Numbers 32:23, “And be sure your sin will find you out.”(1) Instead of attempting to hide the hatred we may have for something or someone, we need to deal with the hatred. Our text clearly says that it is wickedness. There is only one thing we can legitimately hate, and that is sin and sin’s origin, the Devil. Yet even with hating the devil, he is not to be toyed with. Consider Jude verse 9, “Michael the archangel, in contending with the Devil . . . dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’”(2)
Hating someone to the point of bitterness is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to suffer. It just does not work that way.

(1) Numbers 32:23, (2) Jude 1:9

Text For The Day

Proverbs 26:24-26: He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly, do not believe him…; though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed….

Thought For The Day

“Love Christ, and you will hate that which caused his death. Love him, and you will love to be made like him, and hate that which is so contrary to Christ. These two great lights will show the odiousness of darkness.” Richard Baxter, 1615-1691, Puritan evangelist

Questions To Ponder

What is it that God hates?
Do you hate the same things?
Are there people or things that you hate which you are not entitled to hate?

Morning Study Guide

Defining: “Hate”: A strong emotional, cognitive, and or, sensory dislike of something or somebody regardless of its justification.

Referencing: “Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool,” Proverbs 10:18.

Applying: Don’t hate people; hate sin. Don’t hate that which has been created; hate that which caused creation’s fall.