We must love what God loves, but hate what God hates. We must not have half the gospel for loving the good but we must include in our faith the action of repentance from things that diminish, discourage, distract, and deject the vitality and vision of God in our lives.

If one were to plant flowers but not remove weeds, it would be futility. If one were to drive a car without keeping maintenance, the result would be futility. Likewise, having good morals without also turning away from sin is to miss the face and favor of God.

The book of Proverbs provides principles for the godly to both love God and hate sin.

Characteristics of unbelievers

Proverbs 1:22, 28-29 “fools hate knowledge… They will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof.”

Proverbs 5:12 “how I hated discipline and my heart despised reproof!”

Proverbs 8:36 “he who fails to find [wisdom] injures himself, all who hate [wisdom] love death.”

Proverbs 9:8 “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man and he will love you.”

Proverbs 12:1 “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”

Proverbs 13:24 “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.”

Proverbs 15:10 “whoever hates reproof will die”

Proverbs 26:24 “whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart”

Proverbs 29:10 “Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.”

Proverbs 29:24 “The partner of a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.”

Character of believers

Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.”

Proverbs 13:5 “The righteous hates falsehood”

Proverbs 15:27 “whoever hates bribes will live”

Proverbs 28:16 “he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.”