Does scripture really say “hate the sin, love the sinner?”
In a word, No.
God hates sin (Psalm 5:4) and wants us to hate sin also (Proverbs 8:13). But that means our OWN sins, not other’s sins — which are none of our business. Can we hate our own sins? YES. Can we love ourselves as sinners? YES. Can we love others as sinners too? Of course — even our enemies (Luke 6:27). Sharon Eubank said, “It is an unwavering requirement of Christian disciples and Latter-day Saints to show true love to one another” (April 2019 general conference). Alma Jr. said:
Let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance (Alma 42:29, emphasis added).
PS - Somehow I’ve never heard that non-scriptural comment “hate the sin, love the sinner” except as applied to others’ same-sex relationships. Why are people fixated on that?
BTW - If the scriptures don’t say “hate the sin, love the sinner,” who did? St. Augustine, about 424 CE. I don’t think even St. Augustine wanted us to weaponize it and use it to harm others.
-Marci
Thanks to Jeff Andersen of Latter-day Stonecatchers for the sticker pictured here.
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