True Hatred of Sin
True hatred of sin is not just a feeling of fear or guilt, but a deep-seated detestation of its evil nature and a desire to oppose it as God hates it.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that true hatred of sin goes beyond mere actions such as refraining from sin, confessing it, or fearing its consequences. He argues that genuine hatred of sin is rooted in a deep understanding of its nature and its opposition to God. Unlike hypocrites who may regret sin for its repercussions, a true believer mourns sin because it offends God and corrupts the soul. Brooks illustrates that a sincere hatred of sin is akin to hating it as one would hate hell itself, reflecting a profound spiritual integrity.
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("Touchstone of Sincerity")
To hate sin is not merely to refrain from sin, for
so Balaam did. To hate sin is not merely to confess
sin, for so Pharaoh and Judas did. To hate sin is not
merely to be afraid to sin, for this may be where
there is no hatred of sin. To hate sin is not merely
to mourn because of the dreadful effects and fruits
that sin may produce, for so Ahab did, and the
Ninevites did, etc. He who fears sin for hell, fears
not to sin--but to burn. He hates sin indeed--who
hates sin as hell itself. It was a saying of one of the
ancients, that if hell and sin were before him, he
would rather fall into hell than fall into sin. Here
was a true hatred of sin indeed.
A hypocrite may be troubled for sin, as it blots his
reputation, and wounds his conscience, and brings
a scourge, and destroys his soul, and shuts him out
of heaven, and throws him to hell! But he is never
troubled for sin, he never mourns for sin, he never
hates sin because it is contrary to the nature of
God, the being of God, the law of God, the glory
of God, the design of God; or because of the evil
which is in the nature of sin, or because of the
defiling and polluting power of sin.
Sermon Outline
- What is True Hatred of Sin? points: - Definition - Not merely refraining from sin - Not merely confessing sin
- Distinguishing True Hatred of Sin points: - Fear of hell vs. hatred of sin - Mourning for sin's effects vs. true hatred
- Characteristics of a Hypocrite points: - Troubled for sin's consequences - Lack of true hatred for sin
- True Hatred of Sin points: - Hating sin as God hates it - Recognizing sin's evil nature
Key Quotes
“To hate sin is not merely to refrain from sin, for so Balaam did.” — Thomas Brooks
“He who fears sin for hell, fears not to sin--but to burn.” — Thomas Brooks
“He hates sin indeed--who hates sin as hell itself.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Recognize the evil nature of sin and its opposition to God's character and design.
- Distinguish between fearing sin's consequences and truly hating its evil nature.
- Motivate your hatred of sin by a desire to oppose it as God hates it.