How can you hate the sin yet love the sinner?

Question

Is it possible to love someone yet hate something that is a intrinsic part of who they are, because it is a "sin" in your eyes?

Is that really "love"?

Does that type of love have any meaning?

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Answer 1

Oh I don't know I sometimes love the sin and hate the sinner. Kisses BB

Answer 2

What bothers me about this statement is the assumption of sin. There are things that most of us agree are sins- murder, rape, intentional infliction of unwanted pain, etc. There are other things that only some people consider 'sin'. It seems to be these acts that bring out the cliche you are asking about. So when somebody says 'love the sinner, hate the sin' there is an air of pretention and condescention that comes with it, as if the accused sinner is somehow lacking in understanding. That doesn't really seem like love.

Answer 3

any individual who would make a assertion that God hates any human isn't a Christian. God hates the sin yet loves the sinner. I even have only been on YA approximately 4 months and that i've got under no circumstances considered such disrespect and hatred spew forth from every person in direction of Christians, gays and atheists. i haven't any gay or atheist buddies as i'm a Christian, artwork for my church and don't come across any that i understand of. I pray for the impolite and obnoxious human beings on YA. they have souls too.

Answer 4

A person can hate a sin because they understand how that sin negatively affects people that they love...

For eg: my son. If he started taking drugs, I would hate the drugs and what they did to him... but I would still love him so much. I would do all within my power to stop him from taking those drugs.... I would HATE those drugs BECAUSE I love him.

Sin is not an inate part of a person - Sin is what obscures the true person from shining through.

Answer 5

That is an incredibly deep question.

Assuming that you are talking about a spouse or mate, not children or family-- I think it would have to depend on the sin. From my point of view, if I had a boyfriend/husband who did something like... went to strip clubs and watched porn all the time... that is something that I cannot deal with. It's a disgusting habit that is not okay with ME. Now, if my husband's sin was that he smoked marijuana or something else that (to me) is not a big deal... others may disagree.

I really want to answer this question definitively, but I feel like I need a specific sin :(

Answer 6

Suicide.

A "sin" committed by a hurting heart. What kind of person would withhold or withdraw love because of this? Would you?

Sin and evil are not the same thing. Sin may be an intrinsic part of a persons psyche, but God understands their heart, and asks us to try and do the same.

Answer 7

hate and love are not exclusive of each other. i know many couples who loved their spouse, but did not like them after a while.

to love someone is a selfless act that cannot really be controlled by the person who is loving. the sinner can do something really, really bad and still be loved by the one that was hurt.

take for instance a cheating spouse. most will call it quits, but there are those who love their spouse so much that they will do almost anything to make things right.

that is not to compare them to people who are insecure who will do anything to keep someone in their life, but rather one who really loves somebody.

if that type of love had no meaning, there would be no redemption for our sins, by God.

-eagle

Answer 8

Being able to separate the value of a person from their bad behavior can be difficult, but shows considerable strength of character.

It helps a great deal to understand that we all come into this world with different strengths and weaknesses and under various conditions. We are accountable for much of what we do, but not for all. That's the nature of earth life and part of God's plan to help us grow. That's why Jesus taught that we must forgive others if we expect to be forgiven. He being the perfect judge, we must turn all judgment over to Him and love one another.

Answer 9

we sin so we may know gd's mercy. i think there is darkness in all of us. the darkness balances our goodness. its something we find intriguing. like when we are attracted to the bad boy- its dangerous and different and forbidden. like the fruit in the garden of eden. sometimes we need to break the rules, its humbling to ask forgiveness. granted we shouldnt hurt others in the process but if we are good all the time, we forget its true meaning and become arrogant. falling from grace though sin allows us to rise again to understand the journey of life- the struggle to regain composure and acceptance of others. it is only for gd to judge me. "loving" that person or that part of someone is fills our own need to be bad almost vicariously. like reading a trashy novel- you can be the women lose and free, but then you come back to reality where you are good and chaste. "if i wasnt such a bad woman on the page, i couldnt be such a good woman in life"- kate winslet in Quills.

Answer 10

For example, my neighbours broke into my vehicle and stole $20,000. worth in clothing. I was in the retail business. The more I though about it, I felt like hating them, it hurt every part of my body, don't talk about my bank book. I hate what they had done, but I couldn't hate them and this is for real, I just couldn't hate them. As a matter of fact, I forgave them, I released myself, because I know they would pay one day and they did, every last one of them. So yes, it is possible to hate the sin, but love the one who commits it. That kind of love is called agape love - unconditional love - developed love.