In True Hatred Of Sin There Are Six Things Observable!

1. First, True hatred of sin, includes an extreme DETESTATION.

Every dislike is not hatred...but true hatred is an extreme loathing: "You shall cast them away as a menstruous cloth; you shall say unto it, Get you hence," Isaiah 30:22;

In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship—to the moles and to the bats," chapter 2:20.

Their detestation should be so great that they would cast their most costly idols of silver and gold to the most dark, nasty, dusty corners.

To testify the sincerity of their conversion to GOD, they would hate and abhor, abandon and abolish their gold and silver idols which they valued above all others.

2. Secondly, True hatred of sin, includes earnest SEPARATION.

He who hates his sin would sincerely be separated from his sin; "For we who are in this tabernacle do groan being burdened," 2 Cor. 5:4.

A sincere Christian finds no burden to lie so heavy and weighty upon his spirit as sin, and therefore he groans to be delivered from it.

In the law, he who hated his wife did sue out a bill of divorce from her, Deut. 24:3. He who truly hates sin, puts in many a bill into the court of heaven that he may be forever divorced from his sin.

3. Thirdly, True hatred of sin, includes an irreconcilable ALIENATION.

He who hates sin has his heart forever alienated from sin; he who hates sin can never be one with sin.

Two angry men may be made friends; but if two men hate each other, all friendship is everlastingly broken between them.

A man may be angry with sin, and yet made friends with sin again; but if once he comes to hate his sin, then all friendship with sin is everlastingly broken.

4. Fourthly, True hatred of sin, includes a constant and perpetual CONFLICT. 

The flesh will be still lusting against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh.

Though sin and grace were not born together, and though sin and grace shall never die together - yet while a believer lives in this world, they must live together; and while sin and grace do cohabit together, they will still be opposing and conflicting one with another, Gal. 5:17, Romans 7:22-23.

That man who truly hates sin will everlastingly conflict with sin.

He will die fighting against his sins, as one of the dukes of Venice died fighting against his enemies with his weapons in his hand.

Well, Christians, remember this, though to be kept from sin brings most peace and comfort to us-yet for us to oppose sin, and for GOD to pardon sin, that brings most glory to GOD, 2 Cor. 12:7-9.

5. Fifthly. True hatred of sin, includes a deadly intention and DESTRUCTION, for nothing satisfies hatred but death and ruin.

Saul hated David, and sought his life; he hunted him up and down as a partridge in the mountains; he left no stone unturned, nor any means unattempted, whereby he might revenge himself upon David, 1 Sam. 26:19-20; 1 Sam. 23:22.

Haman hated Mordecai, and nothing would satisfy him but to bring him to a shameful death, to see him hanged on a gallows fifty cubits high, Esther. 5:14, which was designed, says Lyra, to put Mordecai to the greater shame, for he hanging high, everyone might see him and point to him.

Now when there was but one night between Mordecai and a shameful death, divine providence opportunely intervened and saved him from Haman's malice, and caused the mischief which he had plotted against Mordecai suddenly to fall upon his own head; for he who was highly feasted with the king one day, was made a feast for crows the next day.

Absalom hated Amnon and killed him, 2 Sam. 13:22-33.

Julian the apostate hated the Christians with a deadly hatred.

He put many thousands of them to death, and threatened and vowed that at his return from fighting against the Persians, he would put all the Christians in his empire to the sword; but GOD prevented him by cutting him off in that expedition.

A Christian who hates sin can't be satisfied but in the death and destruction of it.

In all his duties the language of his soul is, LORD, let my sins be destroyed; whoever escapes, let not my sins escape the hand of your revenging justice!

And in all ordinances the language of his soul is, "O LORD! when shall my sins be subdued and mortified?

When shall my cursed corruptions be brought to and under dominion?

Yes, when shall they all be drowned in the Red Sea of my Savior's blood?"

6. Sixthly, True hatred of sin, includes a total AVERSENESS; true hatred is of the whole kind.  

To wind up all, ask your heart what is it that you abhor as the superlative evil?

What is that which you would have separated as far from you as heaven is from hell?

What is that your heart will never renew league or friendship with any more?

What is that against which your soul does rise, and with which, as Israel with Amalek, you will have war forever? Exodus 17:16.

What is that which you will be avenged of and daily endeavor the mortifying and crucifying of?

What is that which you set your heart against in the comprehensive latitude thereof, whether great or little, open or secret?

If it is sin, if it is your sins, if it is all your sins...then assuredly here is a true hatred of sin, and assuredly here is a most distinguishing character of a child of God, of a sound conversion, and of a saving change. 

It was not always thus with you; nor are these characteristics found in any hypocrite, or in any unconverted person upon the face of the earth.

Sin was once to you as Delilah to Samson, Judges 14:3, 7; but now it is to you as Tamar to Amnon, 2 Sam. 13:15.

Once it was a sweet morsel which you held fast and would not let it go, Job 20:12-13; but now it is the menstruous cloth, Isaiah 30:22, which you cast away, saying, "Get you hence." 

Now with Ephraim you cry out, "What have I to do any more with idols?" Hosea 14:8.

Oh, if it is indeed thus with you, then you have cause forever to be much in blessing and in admiring of the LORD...for his distinguishing grace and favor towards you.

O sirs! the world is full of baits, snares, and temptations; but while the hatred of sin burns in your breasts, you may throw the gauntlet to the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Well, remember this forever...there are three things a hypocrite can never do:

1. He can never mourn for sin as sin.

2. He can never mourn for the sins of others as well as his own.

Moses, Lot, David, Jeremiah, Paul, and those in that Ezek. 9:4, 6, mourned for others' sins as well as their own;

But Pharaoh, Ahab, Judas, Demas, Simon Magus never did.

 3. He can never hate sin as sin.

~Thomas Brooks~