November 1 – LD 44, Day 4: Hating All Sin

Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

If we are to forbid entrance to even the slightest thought or inclination contrary to God’s commandments, it is a matter of fundamental necessity that we have an attitude of hostility towards sin in our own lives. Our attitude towards sin must not simply be a neutral attitude, and certainly not a sympathetic attitude; but we must absolutely hate all sin. Again, instead of favoring it, or shrugging it off, or even cherishing it and giving it a comfortable place in our hearts and in our lives, we must hate it and seek to sabotage it in every possible way!

This is true of all sins, the Catechism reminds us — the secret and bosom sins, as well as the public and gross sins. While we are often inclined to make distinctions, and to downplay our pet sins, Scripture makes unmistakably clear that the tree that bears no fruit is just as ugly and harmful in God’s vineyard as the tree that bears rotten fruit. God requires that we hate all sin, even the smallest thought or inclination contrary to His will. There are sins that would seem to be to our advantage, as well as those that are obviously bad and to our hurt. But God requires that we hate them all, and flee from them. God demands that we do so with our whole heart.

This must be our attitude, not lethargic nor with hesitation, but earnest! Because all these sins are our mortal enemies, we cannot be relaxed about them even for a moment. No matter where we are or what we are doing, no matter whether we have any support for my position, or whether we are in the workplace where all around us are unbelieving and disobedient colleagues, we dare not relax in our spiritual struggles even for a moment.

We must live with a God-centered focus, delighting in all righteousness. To seek God’s glory in all things is our calling. Let all desires and passions be fervently directed towards that which God delights in. This is the Christian’s thankful response to the tenth commandment.