“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
— Romans 12:9 (KJV)
Love must be without dissimulation—free from pretense, deception, or hidden motives. It should be genuine, not a mask we wear to appear kind while harboring bitterness or selfish intentions. True Christian love mirrors Christ’s love: sincere, selfless, and rooted in truth.
At the same time, we are commanded to abhor evil—to hate it, to hold it in disgust. This is not a passive dislike but an active rejection of anything that opposes God’s righteousness. However, this hatred must be directed at sin, not at people. As we navigate a world filled with both good and evil, we must remember that every person is made in God’s image and in need of His grace.
Instead of being drawn to what is wrong, we are to cleave to what is good—clinging to righteousness with unwavering devotion. Just as a vine wraps itself around a sturdy structure, our hearts must be bound to truth, virtue, and the things that honor God. This means filling our lives with His Word, surrounding ourselves with godly influences, and actively choosing righteousness in every situation.
Reflective Questions:
1. Is your love for others sincere, or do you sometimes hide behind a false appearance?
2. Do you actively reject evil, or have you grown numb to certain sins in your life or culture?
3. What steps can you take to cling more tightly to what is good?
4. How can you balance hating sin while still loving those who are lost?
5. Are there specific areas in your life where you need to let go of hypocrisy and embrace true, godly love?
Remember: “The Holy Spirit puts an end to hypocrisy.”
Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching us to love sincerely, without hypocrisy. Help us to abhor evil and reject anything that opposes Your truth while clinging to what is good. Give us discernment to stand for righteousness and the grace to love others as You love us. Purify our hearts so that our love reflects Christ, and strengthen us to walk in holiness each day. May our lives bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
All Scripture in Steps Towards Eternity Daily Devotional is from the King James Bible. (KJV)
Scriptures marked KJV are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION (KJV): KING JAMES VERSION, public domain in The United States. Pathway365 is based in the United States and is governed by its laws. Outside of the United States, you’ll need to check the copyright laws in your country before use.
Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press