12“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
and I find knowledge and discretion.
13The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.–Proverbs 8
Lady Wisdom was talking here in this proverb. This is God’s wisdom personified in a person. She is contrasted in Proverbs with Madam Folly. So let us add helpful words of Jesus here before we briefly land the plane.
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5)
- God hates sin and evil in all forms.
- I should hate what God hates.
- Therefore, I am to hate my own sin and hypocrisy first and most.
In a world where Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:39) and even to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), this is the only appropriate hate for the Christian. I have no business hating others, or myself (Romans 8:1), but I can hate my hypocrisy. This is the only hatred allowed biblically. This should also encourage repentance and intentionality regarding my sin. How about your journey?–JMB
Joel M Bradshaw 
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