Hate evil, O you who love the LORD! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Sermons I. THERE ARE MANY WHO HATE NEITHER GOOD NOR EVIL. 1. They do not hate goodness. They would be shocked to be told they did. They often say fine things about it, and, like Herod with John the Baptist, do "many things" because of it. They do not practise it much - never, unless it is conventional and in good form. Still, they do not hate it. It would be almost better if they did. For then they could not deceive themselves as now they do. They imagine all is well with them, simply because they do not openly oppose goodness. Though not with it, they are, so they flatter themselves, not against it. It was specially to such that our Lord spoke his stern, solemn word, "He that is not with me is against me." They are the would be neutrals. Our Lord likens them to the "house swept and garnished," from which one devil is gone out, but who soon comes back with seven others worse. The publicans and harlots, who know and feel their sin, go into the kingdom of heaven before such. 2. And assuredly they do not hate evil. If it be very gross and flagrant, they will condemn it, but if it comes to them in plausible and specious garb, as it generally does, they make excuses for it, and allow it both in themselves and others. The devil has it pretty much his own way so far as these people are concerned. He fears none but those who hate evil. II. BUT THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD MUST HATE EVIL. 1. It stands to reason. Such hatred of evil is but the necessary consequence and concomitant of the love of the Lord; where the one is, the other is also. 2. They will do so always and everywhere. Most and first of all in themselves. Not only in its outward manifestations, but in its secret spring - the heart from whence it proceeds. It is of no use fulminating against evil in others whilst we cherish it in ourselves. This they deeply feel, and hence their perpetual prayer is for the "clean heart." And they will hate evil in others also. They will not connive at it, nor in any way countenance it; their lives will be a witness and protest against it, they will be "the salt of the earth." III. THE MOTIVES THAT URGE THEM ARE FULL OF FORCE. 1. Sin is the curse of humanity. Its steps are blood marked all through the world's history. It "brought death into the world, and all our woe;" and as it was, so it is still. 2. It slew our Lord. How would we feel towards the murderer of our dearest friend? 3. Whenever we in any degree allow it in ourselves, it weakens and humiliates us, and brings darkness into our souls. 4. It is life or death with us. If we do not destroy it, it will destroy us. 5. It robs us of power over others, save to do them harm. IV. BUT THIS HATRED OF EVIL NEEDS TO BE DILIGENTLY CHERISHED. For we are in peril of getting used to it, and so of acquiescing in it as a thing that cannot be helped. Therefore: 1. Pray the Holy Spirit to fill you with the love of Christ. 2. To reveal you to yourself. 3. Walk in the light. 4. Confess at once if you have sinned. 5. Openly commit yourself on the Lord's side. 6. Attack evil wherever possible. 7. Pray without ceasing. - S.C.
Ye that love the Lord, hate evil. I. THE CHARACTER OF THE PERSONS ADDRESSED. "Ye that love the Lord." This love is —1. The consequence of God's love to the soul (Jeremiah 31:3). 2. Genuine, or pure (Romans 12:9). 3. In its power unconquerable (Song of Solomon 8:6, 7). 4. In its duration lasting (Philippians 1:9-11). 5. In its influence constraining (2 Corinthians 5:14). 6. In its nature — (1) (2) (3) (4) II. THEIR PRIVILEGE DECLARED. "He preserveth the souls of His saints," etc. 1. He secures them from the sinfulness of their hearts (Romans 6:14). 2. From the prevalency of ignorance (Psalm 73:24). 3. From all slavish fear (Isaiah 26:3). 4. From the curse of the broken law (Galatians 3:13). 5. He rescueth them from Satan (Romans 16:20). 6. From wicked and deceitful men (Psalm 27:2, 3). 7. From every other kind of opponent (1 Peter 1:5). III. THE DUTY OR PRACTICE EXHORTED TO. "Hate evil." 1. Personal or internal evil (Romans 7:6). 2. The sin which we see in others (Psalm 139:21, 22). 3. The evil that is in the world (Psalm 119:104). 4. All national evils (Proverbs 14:34). IV. THE STATE OF THE SOUL DESCRIBED (ver. 11). 1. Light. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 2. Gladness. (1) (2) (3) V. THE EVIDENCES AND EXPERIENCES OF THE CHRISTIAN (ver. 12). 1. "Rejoice in the Lord." (1) (2) (3) (4) 2. "Give thanks to Him." (1) (2) (3) (4) (T. B. Baker, M.A.) "Compound for sins they were inclined to, By damning those they had no mind to."But it is a universal duty to which we are here called. I. HATE ALL EVIL IN THYSELF. Thou hast good reason. Think — 1. What mischief it has already wrought thee. It kept you from Jesus, it would have lost you your soul but that grace interfered. 2. How unbecoming it is to thee. Thou art of the blood royal of the Kingdom of God. Shall such a man as thou sin? Thou art set apart for God Himself. 3. How it weakens you. Can you pray after committing sin? You know you cannot. You have lost your power. Sin will make thee leave off praying or else praying will make thee leave off sinning. And if you try to engage in work for Christ, you cannot do it. An unholy man must be a useless one. 4. Hate it, because if you indulge in it you will have to smart for it (Psalm 51). If thou wouldest strew thy path with thorns and put nettles in thy death-pillow, then live in sin. 5. You will do hurt to others. The Church of Christ — how you will shame that: and poor sinners, how you will cause them to stumble and encourage them in their sin. And think especially — 6. How it grieves Christ. Now, if you would be rid of sin, the terrors of the law will not help you, but communion with Christ will. And get as much light as you can upon it. The housewife when she is busy about her house, with curtains drawn, may think everything looks clean; but she opens a little corner of the window, and in streams a ray of light, in which ten thousand grains of dust are dancing up and down. "Ah," she thinks, "my room is not so clean as I thought it was; here is dust where I thought there was none." Now, endeavour to get not the farthing rushlight of your own judgment, but the sunlight of the Holy Spirit streaming upon your heart, and it will help you to detect your sin — and detection of sin is halfway towards its cure. And if you have fallen into sin make confession of it, and when your mind is in a holy state seek to estimate sin aright. With regard to some sins, flee them. There is no other way. And if you would keep from sin, seek always to have a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Old Master Dyer says, "Lock up your hearts by prayer every morning and give God the key, so that nothing can get in." And never palliate sin. II. HATE SIN IN OTHERS. Then, if you do, never countenance it, not even by a look. Often condemn it openly. Of course prudently. And do not get into it yourself. Those who live in glass houses, etc. And encourage all who are fighting against it. ( C. H. Spurgeon.) (Dean Goulburn.) People PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Delivered, Delivereth, Delivers, Evil, Faithful, Godly, Guards, Hate, Haters, Keeping, Keeps, Love, Lovers, Loves, O, Ones, Preserves, Preserveth, Saints, Sinners, Souls, Takes, WickedOutline 1. The majesty of God's kingdom7. The church rejoices at God's judgments upon idolaters 10. An exhortation to godliness and gladness Dictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 97:10 5330 guard Library August 13. "Clouds and Darkness are Round About Him" (Ps. Xcvii. 2). "Clouds and darkness are round about Him" (Ps. xcvii. 2). The presence of clouds upon your sky, and trials in your path, is the very best evidence that you are following the pillar of cloud, and walking in the presence of God. They had to enter the cloud before they could behold the glory of the transfiguration, and a little later that same cloud became the chariot to receive the ascending Lord, and it is still waiting as the chariot that will bring His glorious appearing. Still it is true that white … Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth June the Thirteenth Clouded but not Lost! Righteous Hatred We Too are Thine. The Morning Light Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory. Man's Chief End The Second Commandment The Ascension of Messiah to Glory Being Made Archbishop of Armagh, He Suffers Many Troubles. Peace Being Made, from Being Archbishop of Armagh He Becomes Bishop of Down. Messiah Despised, and Rejected of Men Psalms Links Psalm 97:10 NIVPsalm 97:10 NLT Psalm 97:10 ESV Psalm 97:10 NASB Psalm 97:10 KJV Psalm 97:10 Bible Apps Psalm 97:10 Parallel Psalm 97:10 Biblia Paralela Psalm 97:10 Chinese Bible Psalm 97:10 French Bible Psalm 97:10 German Bible Psalm 97:10 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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