Christian Hate Speech

In today’s politically correct society, Christians who take a stand against homosexuality are often dubbed “haters.” A few of these bold believers have been fined, arrested and even charged with inciting “hate crimes.” This is a sign of the times we live in. Matthew 24:9-10 says that in the last days, “…they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another."

The dictionary defines hate as “to dislike intensely or passionately.” You might think of things you hate such as chores to do around the house or certain types of food (personally I hate peas, squash, and coconut). Some people have this idea that all hatred is evil and yet it is actually a God-given emotion. Ecclesiastes 3:8 says there is “a time to love, and a time to hate.”

So what exactly constitutes godly hatred? Let’s look at a few more examples of “hate speech” in the Bible…

“You who love the LORD, hate evil!” - Psalm 97:10

“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil.” – Proverbs 8:13

“He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.” – Proverbs 13:24

“He who hates correction will die.” - Proverbs 15:10

“Hate evil, love good” - Amos 5:15

It’s often been said that Christians are to “love the sinner but hate the sin.” Some liberal churches reject this concept calling it intolerant and preach only about God’s love. They ignore the fact that God Himself hates specific things…

“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

Individuals who come against God-fearing people are the real haters…

“For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” - John 3:20

“If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” - John 15:19


“They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents” - Romans 1:29-30

In contrast, Jesus commands us to love individuals who show hatred towards us…

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” 

- Matthew 5:43-45

Do you really want to please God? Romans 12:9 in the New Living Translation says, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.” Is there a particular kind of sin that you hate more than others? That could be a sign to God’s calling on your life. As Mike Murdock says, “What you hate is a clue to something you are assigned to correct.”

“You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” - Hebrews 1:9