Should we hate Satan?
Question:
Should we hate Satan?
To me, it sure seems like we should hate the devil because he is the embodiment of sin (I John 3:8). Satan is lost; he’s never coming over to God’s side. It just conflicts with our desire to love our enemies as we’re told to do.
Answer:
"The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate" (Proverbs 8:13).
When actions or people stand opposed to God, then we are to oppose them. "Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies" (Psalms 139:21-22). Notice that this is not personal.
When someone opposes me, I show love to them. I treat them better than they deserve and better than they treat me. "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Matthew 5:44-45).
However, when someone gives themselves over to evil, I may feel sorry for them, but I will not show support for their deeds. I hate what they represent. If they change, then my attitude toward them will also change.
However, with Satan, God is clear that Satan will not change his ways, so he remains the enemy of God and mankind. I must oppose him. "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). In my opposition, however, I must be careful not to put myself in the position of God. I cannot pronounce judgment on him since that is God's decision, not mine. "But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, 'The Lord rebuke you!'" (Jude 9).
