CWW Week 30 - Hatred - Day 4
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Scripture Focus
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
— Romans 12:9 (NIV)
Devotion
What does real love look like?
In a world where “love” is often reduced to emotion or convenience, the Apostle Paul offers us something more solid in Romans 12:9. He writes, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
It’s a short verse, but it’s loaded with weighty truth. First, Paul challenges us with this: our love must be genuine—not fake, not surface-level, not driven by what we get in return.
“Sincere love” in the original Greek literally means “unhypocritical love.” It’s the kind of love that isn’t just polite or performative but real and sacrificial. It’s the love that shows up even when it costs us. It’s not the love that flatters in public but gossips in private.
This kind of love can’t co-exist with hidden bitterness or hate. That’s why Paul immediately follows with a confronting instruction: “Hate what is evil.”
Now, that’s interesting. We often associate Christianity with love, kindness, and forgiveness—and rightly so. But here Paul tells us to hate. Not people—but evil itself.
Hate has a place in the Christian life when it’s aimed at the right target. We’re not to hate our enemies, our neighbours, or those who have hurt us—but we are called to hate injustice, sin, cruelty, and the things that separate people from God and each other.
In Australian culture, we like to “keep things chill” and not rock the boat. But sometimes, this leads us to tolerate or ignore things that are wrong. We might look the other way when someone is treated unfairly, or remain silent about behaviour that dishonours God, just to keep the peace.
Paul is saying: real love isn’t passive. It’s not indifferent to evil. If we truly love others, we will hate the sin that harms them, and we will cling to what is good, even when it’s hard or unpopular.
Clinging to what is good means holding tightly to the values, attitudes, and actions that reflect God’s heart—grace, mercy, justice, humility, and truth. It means choosing forgiveness over revenge, integrity over dishonesty, and faithfulness over selfishness.
This verse also calls us to check ourselves. Do we say we love others while secretly harbouring judgment, gossip, or resentment? Do we call evil “good” to fit in or avoid awkwardness? Do we hate sin in others while excusing it in ourselves?
Sincere love calls for honest living. It pushes us to examine our hearts, speak the truth in love, and act in ways that reflect Christ—even when no one’s watching.
The beauty of Romans 12:9 is that it shows the balance of the Christian life: a love that is genuine and a hatred that is righteous. It’s not about extremes—it’s about being shaped by God’s character.
Today, God invites us to love more sincerely. That might mean confronting our own hypocrisy, letting go of hidden grudges, or standing against evil when it would be easier to stay quiet. It might mean asking for God’s help to see people through His eyes.
Love is more than words—it’s a commitment to cling to what is good, even when it’s hard.
Reflection Questions
- Is my love for others sincere, or do I sometimes act one way on the outside and feel differently on the inside?
- Are there things in my life that I’ve tolerated but know, deep down, are not good in God’s eyes?
- What does it look like for me to “cling to what is good” in my relationships, work, or community today?
Prayer
Dear Lord, Papa God
Thank You for showing me what true love looks like through Jesus. I confess that at times my love has been shallow or inconsistent. I’ve tolerated things I know are not good, and I’ve struggled to hate what is evil without judging others. Please help me to grow in sincere love—love that reflects Your heart.
Give me courage to reject what is wrong and strength to hold fast to what is good. Make me someone who loves without hypocrisy and lives in a way that brings peace, healing, and truth.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Have a great day today with Jesus.
Graham Hood.
Church Without Walls.
