Please Stop Saying These Words

I hear them all the time. Often, they come from the best meaning Christians who have hearts the size of Texas.

However, I think they do more harm than good.

Hate the sin. Love the sinner.

I’m guilty, too. I’ve been there and said them as well.

But then I realized they were pushing people away from me – not bringing them closer. I had to ask myself what I would think if someone walked up to me while I was living in my own sin and said,

I hate the sin you’re commiting but I love you.

You know what most of us hear from that statement?

I hate you… 

Does this mean we should be allowed to sin without being confronted by those who love us? No. Not saying that. I am saying, however, perhaps we should approach it in a different way, especially when it comes to those who aren’t believers.

I think this picture sums it up well, don’t you?