What other scriptures discuss righteous anger or hatred towards sin? Righteous Anger in Psalm 139:22 “I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.” (Psalm 139:22) David’s words model a holy revulsion toward sin, not a personal vendetta. Scripture consistently echoes this God-honoring anger. Old Testament Echoes • Exodus 32:19 – “As soon as Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned…” Moses’ ire erupts when God’s holiness is mocked. • Numbers 25:11 – “Phinehas… has turned My wrath away… because he was zealous for My sake among them.” Zeal for God’s honor quenches judgment. • Psalm 97:10 – “Hate evil, you who love the LORD!” Loving God and hating evil are inseparable. • Proverbs 8:13 – “To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.” Reverence produces moral antipathy. • Ecclesiastes 3:8 – “a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Righteous hatred fits appointed seasons. • Amos 5:15 – “Hate evil, love good; establish justice in the gate.” God pairs hatred of sin with pursuit of justice. Christ’s Example • Mark 3:5 – “He looked around at them with anger, grieved by their hard hearts.” Jesus’ anger targets callous unbelief. • John 2:15-17 – He drives out the merchants; zeal for the Father’s house consumes Him. Holiness cannot tolerate corruption. • Hebrews 1:9 – “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You…” The Messiah embodies perfect moral passion. New Testament Instruction • Romans 12:9 – “Love must be sincere. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.” Genuine love includes moral disgust. • Ephesians 4:26 – “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Anger becomes unrighteous when it breaks God’s commands. • James 1:19-20 – “Everyone should be quick to listen… for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God.” Human anger needs divine calibration. • Jude 23 – “save others, snatching them out of the fire; and to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” Hatred of sin fuels rescue, not contempt. • Revelation 2:6 – “Yet you have this to your credit: You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” The risen Christ commends hatred of heretical deeds. Key Principles • Scripture calls believers to hate evil because God Himself hates evil. • Righteous anger is never self-centered; it defends God’s honor and the well-being of others. • Holy hatred must couple with love, mercy, and active pursuit of what is good. • Anger turns sinful when it becomes personal, uncontrolled, or detached from obedience. • By aligning our emotions with God’s revealed standards, we reflect His character while avoiding the pitfalls of ungodly wrath. |
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