Love in Christianity: Hating What God Hates and Speaking Truth in Love

“God is love” (1 John 4:8). This simple yet profound statement is at the core of Christian faith. Yet today, love is often misrepresented, misunderstood, and weaponized against biblical truth. Many claim that to love someone means to affirm their choices, avoid confrontation, and never offend. But biblical love—true love—is far deeper than mere sentiment or approval.

In Scripture, love is inseparable from truth, righteousness, and even hatred—not of people, but of sin, evil, and all that opposes God. The same God who is love also declares:

“The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” – Proverbs 8:13

To truly love as Christ loves, we must love what God loves and hate what He hates. Anything less is not love at all.

1. The Modern Misuse of “Love”

Our culture preaches love, but it often defines love apart from truth. Instead of biblical love—which calls sinners to repentance, protects what is good, and speaks truth regardless of cost—the world promotes a love that says:

• "Love means acceptance." But Scripture says true love rejoices in the truth (1 Cor. 13:6).

• "Love means never offending anyone." But Jesus, the embodiment of love, was hated, rejected, and crucified for speaking truth.

• "Love is all about kindness." But kindness without truth can become cowardice. A doctor who tells a dying patient that they’re fine isn’t kind—he’s cruel.

True, biblical love never sacrifices truth for the sake of comfort.

2. God’s Love and God’s Hatred

The idea that hatred has no place in Christianity is false. The Bible speaks not only of God’s love but of His holy hatred—a hatred directed not at people, but at sin, wickedness, and rebellion against His holiness.

“For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.” – Psalm 5:4

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” – Romans 12:9

God’s hatred is not like human hatred—it is not petty, selfish, or irrational. It is the righteous opposition of a perfect, holy God against all that is evil, destructive, and contrary to His nature.

• God loves justice—so He hates injustice (Isaiah 61:8).

• God loves truth—so He hates lies (Proverbs 6:16-19).

• God loves life—so He hates the shedding of innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17).

For believers, to love what God loves means to hate what He hates. This is not contradiction—this is consistency.

3. The Necessity of Speaking Truth in Love

In today’s culture, any disagreement is labeled “hate”, and many Christians, fearing rejection, stay silent. But silence is not love—it is apathy. Love does not hide the truth—it proclaims it.

“Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?” – Galatians 4:16

Jesus Himself, the perfect embodiment of love, never watered down truth to gain approval. He spoke boldly, directly, and without compromise:

• To the Pharisees: “Woe to you, hypocrites!” (Matthew 23)

• To the rich young ruler: “Sell all you have… then follow Me” (Mark 10:21-22)

• To the woman caught in adultery: “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (John 8:11)

Notice: Jesus never affirmed sin—He forgave it and called people to repentance. That is true love.

Christians today must do the same. Love does not mean ignoring sin—it means pointing people to the only One who can save them from it.

4. Love That Costs Something

True love is not always comfortable. It may cost friendships, reputations, and even persecution. But to love without truth is to offer a counterfeit, powerless love that does more harm than good.

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” – Proverbs 27:6

A friend who speaks truth—even when it hurts—is far more loving than one who affirms someone in their sin. If we truly believe that sin leads to destruction, how can we stay silent?

5. Living Out Biblical Love Today

A. Boldly Stand for Truth

Christians must reject the world’s false definition of love and embrace a love that is rooted in God’s Word. Do not let culture dictate what love is—let Scripture do that.

B. Hate Sin—Starting with Your Own

Hating what God hates begins with ourselves. Before calling others to repentance, we must daily repent of our own sins (Matthew 7:3-5). True love means hating the sin in our own hearts first.

C. Speak the Truth—No Matter the Cost

The world will call biblical love “hateful”, but we must stand firm. Speaking the truth is love, even when people reject it. Our job is faithfulness—God handles the results.

Conclusion: Love Without Compromise

In a world that equates love with tolerance and truth with hate, Christians must stand for biblical love—a love that is both gracious and unwavering, compassionate and convicting.

To love like Christ is to speak truth, stand for righteousness, and hate evil—not out of pride or anger, but out of a deep desire to see people freed by the Gospel.

May we be a people who love what God loves, hate what He hates, and never compromise truth in the name of false love.

Soli Deo Gloria.