How Should Believers Hate Evil?

Understanding the Call to Reject Wickedness in Psalm 97:10

Psalm 97:10 declares, “You who love Jehovah, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his faithful ones; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” This verse presents a direct command to those who claim to love Jehovah: they must hate evil. While many today adopt a passive stance toward sin, Scripture makes it clear that true devotion to Jehovah requires an active rejection of all that is opposed to him. Loving God and tolerating wickedness cannot coexist. The passage further reassures believers that Jehovah protects and delivers those who remain faithful, making it evident that obedience to this command is directly tied to his provision and care.

Hatred of evil is not about emotional hostility but about moral opposition to everything that contradicts Jehovah’s righteousness. This concept is seen throughout the Bible. Proverbs 8:13 states, “To fear Jehovah is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” The fear of Jehovah—a deep reverence and commitment to obeying him—naturally leads to rejecting all that is sinful. Many fail to recognize that hatred of evil is not optional for believers; it is a defining characteristic of those who genuinely love Jehovah. If one truly reveres and honors him, there can be no compromise with sin.

The command to hate evil must be understood in light of Jehovah’s own character. Psalm 5:4 affirms, “For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil cannot dwell with you.” Jehovah’s absolute holiness means that he cannot tolerate evil. Those who follow him are called to reflect this same standard in their own lives. This is why Paul exhorted Christians in Romans 12:9, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.” True love for Jehovah and for righteousness necessitates a deep rejection of sin.

Many people attempt to redefine righteousness by blending worldly values with biblical principles, but Psalm 97:10 leaves no room for such compromise. The world often celebrates what Jehovah condemns, encouraging believers to be tolerant of behaviors that contradict his commands. Yet, the Bible warns against such moral confusion. Isaiah 5:20 declares, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.” A failure to hate evil leads to spiritual complacency, where sin becomes normalized and accepted rather than rejected.

This verse also contains a promise: Jehovah preserves and delivers his faithful ones. Those who refuse to align themselves with wickedness are not abandoned; they are protected by Jehovah himself. This echoes passages such as Psalm 34:15-17, which states, “The eyes of Jehovah are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of Jehovah is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth.” The contrast is clear—those who stand against evil receive Jehovah’s protection, while those who persist in wickedness face judgment.

Jesus himself demonstrated this unwavering commitment to righteousness. He opposed sin while showing mercy to repentant sinners. He did not compromise with evil but called people to turn from it. His cleansing of the temple (Matthew 21:12-13) showed his hatred for corruption in worship, and his strong rebuke of the Pharisees (Matthew 23) demonstrated his intolerance for hypocrisy. Jesus did not accommodate sin; he confronted it. Likewise, those who follow him must not passively accept or justify evil but must reject it in every form.

Hating evil begins with personal holiness. It is easy to condemn wickedness in society while overlooking sin in one’s own life. Jesus warned about this hypocrisy in Matthew 7:3-5, instructing believers to remove the plank from their own eye before addressing the speck in someone else’s. True hatred of evil means first eliminating it from one’s own heart, thoughts, and actions. This requires constant examination through the lens of Scripture and a willingness to repent when sin is exposed. Psalm 119:11 provides the key: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Immersing oneself in Jehovah’s Word strengthens the ability to resist sin and develop a true distaste for it.

Additionally, hating evil means refusing to participate in or support anything that promotes wickedness. Ephesians 5:11 commands, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” This applies to entertainment, associations, and ideologies that contradict Jehovah’s righteousness. It is not enough to merely avoid committing sin; believers are called to actively oppose and expose it. Complicity with evil, whether through silence or acceptance, is itself sinful.

Psalm 97:10 presents a clear and uncompromising truth: loving Jehovah requires hating evil. This hatred is not based on personal opinions but on Jehovah’s standard of righteousness. It begins with rejecting sin in one’s own life and extends to standing against unrighteousness in the world. The promise of Jehovah’s preservation and deliverance reassures believers that their commitment to righteousness is not in vain. Though the world may embrace wickedness, those who stand firm in faithfulness to Jehovah can trust in his protection and ultimate justice.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).