Managing sin is not the same as rejecting it. Our world often pushes us to compromise, to get as close as possible to the edge without going over, and to excuse actions that make us comfortable but keep God at arm’s length. Proverbs gives us a clear challenge: “To fear the Lord is to hate evil. I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech” (Proverbs 8:13).
The word “hate” here does not mean being angry or self-righteous. In Hebrew, it means to reject something so fully that your actions show it, not just your words. It is about what you do, not just how you feel. It means turning away so clearly that everyone knows where you stand.
The Culture vs. Truth Dilemma
Sometimes we let culture guide our morals, even though God has already shown us the right way. Culture changes a lot over time. Things that shocked people in the 1950s are normal now. Ideas that were once unthinkable in schools are now seen as progress. So we have to ask: Does God’s standard change with the times?
The answer is an unequivocal no.
God created two genders: Adam and Eve, man and woman. He set the standards for marriage, family, sexuality, and morality. Culture cannot change what God has already decided. Still, the church has often tried to adjust to whatever makes people comfortable, fills seats, or avoids conflict.
The goal was never comfort or popularity. The goal was truth and love. Sometimes, the most loving thing we can do is tell someone a hard truth, even if it means pointing out that their choices are leading them in the wrong direction.
What We Really Love
Before we can hate what God hates, we need to love what God loves. And what does God love most? People. He loves everyone, no matter their background, color, politics, or story. God loves the Muslim and the atheist. He loves both Republicans and Democrats. He loves the person who annoys you and the one who has hurt you.
The question isn’t whether God loves them. The question is: Do you?
It is easy to love people who are kind to us. But do we love those who are difficult? Do we care enough to tell them the truth, even when it is hard? Do we stand for God’s standard while still showing grace?
This is the challenge we face: to hate sin but love sinners, to reject evil but care for those who are hurting.
The Pride Problem
Pride is at the root of almost every sin. Pride caused Satan to fall when he said, “I will be like God.” Pride led Eve to think she deserved wisdom apart from God’s guidance. Pride still keeps us from fully surrendering today.
Pride tells us we deserve special treatment, that rules do not apply to us, and that we can handle our sin without removing it. Pride makes our own voice louder than the gentle conviction of the Holy Spirit.
Ask yourself: Are you willing to learn? Can you accept correction? Do you handle criticism without getting defensive? If someone criticizes you online, do you react right away, or do you stop to consider if there is any truth in what they say?
We cannot brag about humility. As soon as we think we have it, we lose it. Real humility keeps us grounded, helps us listen, and reminds us to depend on God instead of ourselves.
The Cancer We Won’t Remove
Imagine someone with cancer who tells the doctor, “You can remove most of it, but leave a little bit.” We would think that person was not thinking clearly. When cancer is present, we want it gone completely, not just most of it.
Yet this is exactly how we treat sin.
We often try to manage sin instead of removing it. We leave some doors open, just in case we want to return. We make small compromises, telling ourselves we can handle a little bit of poison in our lives.
The truth is, even a small amount of cancer can kill you. In the same way, a little bit of sin can still destroy you.
Some sins are especially hard for us to resist. For some people, it is alcohol. For others, it might be pornography, gossip, greed, or lust. We know our weak spots, but we often stay close to temptation, thinking we will not get hurt.
The answer is not to manage sin better, but to remove it completely. This means closing doors, removing opportunities, and staying away from temptation as much as possible.
Closing the Door
When Elijah called Elisha to follow him, Elisha did not just say goodbye to his old life. He destroyed it. He burned his plow, killed his oxen, and shared the food with his neighbors. He made sure there was no way to return. He closed the door so fully that going back was not possible.
What door do you need to close?
Maybe it is a relationship that keeps pulling you away from God. Maybe it is a job that makes you compromise your values. It could be a subscription, a social media account, or a habit that seems small but stops you from fully surrendering.
Your actions show what you really believe about God. You can say you love Jesus, but if your life does not show it, your words mean little. You cannot share your faith well if you are still holding onto things God wants you to let go of.
Faith is not always comfortable. It means stepping into the unknown and trusting that God will be there. It means closing doors even when you do not know what is next, believing that following God is better than holding onto what is familiar.
The Choice Before Us
We stand at a crossroads. We are at a crossroads. Culture pulls us one way, but God’s Word points us another. We can choose between popularity and truth. We can either manage our sin or remove it. We can leave doors open or close them for good. We can choose hatred for evil—not tolerance, not management, not justification. True reverence for God changes our affections so completely that we love what He loves and hate what He hates.
The real question is not which door you will close tomorrow or next week. The question is: what door will you close today, before another moment goes by?
Thoughts from Pastor Toney 