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I. WHAT EVIL.

1. Sin (1 John 3:4).

2. Punishment (Isaiah 45:7).

II. WHAT IS IT TO ABHOR IT?

1. Our settled judgment that it is evil.

2. A hatred to it for its own sake (Psalm 119:113).

3. An aversion from it (Ezekiel 33:11).

III. WHY SHOULD WE ABHOR IT?

1. It is contrary to God's nature.

2. Repugnant to His laws (John 3:4).

3. Destructive to our souls.

IV. MEANS OF EXCITING THIS ABHORRENCE.

1. Always remember that you are Christians.

2. Avoid the occasions of sin (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

3. Often think whom it displeases — the great God (Genesis 39:9).

4. Live always as under His eye (Psalm 139:7).

5. Remember that thou must answer for it (Ecclesiastes 11:9).Conclusion:

1. Repent of sins already committed; for —

(1)  By them you have incurred God's displeasure (Psalm 7:11).

(2)  Made ourselves liable to punishment (Romans 6:23).

(3)  There is no way to avoid either but by repentance (Luke 13:3).

2. Abhor it so as not to commit sin hereafter. Consider it is —

(1)  the greatest folly (Psalm 14:4; Psalm 94:8).

(2)  Slavery (Romans 6:20).

(3)  Defilement (James 1:21; Matthew 15:20; Job 15:16).

(4)  Death of the soul (Romans 8:24; Ephesians 2:1).

3. Unless you abhor evil God will abhor you, and you will abhor, but ineffectually, evil and yourselves too, to all eternity.

(Bp. Beveridge.)

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KJV: Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

WEB: Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.