Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Have you ever used the word “abhor” before? It’s a unique word with a lot of feeling. When we abhor something, we regard it with hate and disgust. It’s a feeling that should not be easily thrown around. In fact, the word in Greek that Paul uses for abhor is only used once in the whole of the New Testament, in this verse.* Even stronger than our understanding of the english version of abhor, Paul’s Greek usage has to do with a “vehement dislike” or to “strongly abhor.”* Paul is not messing around.

Contrast, Paul suggests that we hold tight to good with all of our might.* It refers to a tenacious attachment to good.* This good he tells us to hold tight to refers to both an attitude of goodness and good deeds that flow out of that attitude.*

We may find that few people would disagree with Paul’s command found in this verse (Romans 12:9b). The disagreement may come, however, when defining what is good, what is evil, and what is love. Love comes into the conversation as these words of Paul come as a follow-up and a first expression of what it is to love genuinely.*

We live in a society that regards love as an emotional happenstance.* Our culture defines love with an array of meanings chosen by convenience to serve self-purpose.* One may fall in love as they fall in a hole in the dark. Biblical love is deeper and more substantial. The love that God describes involves choice.* It is much different than sentimentality.* Love, according to God’s word, is an attitude and a mindset that requires a choice of the will.*

To love the way the Bible describes proves too lofty for humanity.* Who can truly love like Christ loves out of any human effort? No one. The human will is involved in biblical love, but it is not produced by it.* We must engage our wills to allow the Holy Spirit to grow love within us.* Love, thus, is defined on God’s terms, not our own.* The mindset of love will always produce actions that are in alignment with God’s good and perfect will.*

Similarly, evil and good are defined on God’s terms. The person who really loves with the deep intensity of Christian agapē love will hate in the most holy of ways every evil thing.* Knowing this, we must allow God to show us through His word what is good and evil. We must avoid defining what we cannot understand, control, or relate to as evil. We must avoid defining what is easy, convenient, or popular as good.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to allow His love to shape your appetites for good and evil. Perhaps today God would have you change your mindset toward something that He calls good, or adjust your posture toward something that He calls evil. Maybe today God wants you to repent for calling what is evil good and what is good evil. Perhaps today God wants you to explore His Word to allow Him to define good and evil for you.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

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*Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 475). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Osborne, G. R. (2004). Romans (pp. 330–331). InterVarsity Press.
Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (pp. 443–444). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (p. 409, 415–416). Zondervan Publishing House.