The righteous hate evil because God's Word gives them understanding, and His precepts define what is right in every area of life. True faith in God is identified by what a person loves and hates: loving good requires hating evil. God's people are often hated by the world because righteousness exposes sin, and following Christ brings reproach and persecution. The righteous hate evil because of the destruction it causes, the deadly end it always brings, and the dishonor it brings upon God. Evil is dangerous, deceptive, and progressive, often entering the life through what is popular, tolerated, or excused, and it leads to ruin of individuals, families, and nations. Believers are called to reject compromise, learn to discern good and evil through consistent reading and study of Scripture, separate from corrupt influences, and actively fill their lives with godly truth and fellowship. Only by esteeming God's Word above culture, guarding the mind and heart, and living out the truth can a Christian remain faithful in a world that increasingly calls evil good and good evil.
