The concept of God's abhorrence of sin is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His holy and righteous nature. Sin, defined as any action, thought, or attitude that falls short of God's perfect standard, is fundamentally opposed to His character. The Bible consistently portrays God as utterly holy and separate from sin, and His response to sin is one of profound aversion and judgment.

Old Testament Foundations

In the Old Testament, God's abhorrence of sin is evident from the very beginning. In Genesis, the fall of Adam and Eve illustrates the immediate consequences of sin, resulting in separation from God and the introduction of death into the world (Genesis 3). God's response to sin is further demonstrated in the account of the flood, where He expresses regret over humanity's wickedness: "The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time" (Genesis 6:5).

The Law given to Moses further underscores God's intolerance of sin. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and the detailed laws in Leviticus and Deuteronomy reveal God's standards for holiness and the severe consequences for transgressions. Leviticus 20:23 states, "You must not walk in the customs of the nations that I am driving out before you, because they did all these things, and I abhorred them" .

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets frequently conveyed God's abhorrence of sin and called the people to repentance. Isaiah 59:2 declares, "But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear" . The prophets warned of impending judgment due to the people's persistent sinfulness, as seen in Jeremiah 44:4: "Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets again and again, saying, 'Do not do this detestable thing that I hate'" .

New Testament Revelation

In the New Testament, God's abhorrence of sin is further revealed through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The sacrificial death of Christ on the cross is the ultimate demonstration of God's judgment against sin and His provision for redemption. Romans 3:23-25 explains, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness" .

The New Testament also emphasizes the call to holiness for believers. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, it is written, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy'" . The apostle Paul frequently admonishes believers to turn away from sin and live in accordance with God's will, as seen in Ephesians 5:11: "Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them" .

Eternal Consequences

The Bible teaches that the ultimate consequence of unrepentant sin is eternal separation from God. Revelation 21:8 warns, "But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death" . This underscores the seriousness with which God views sin and the necessity of repentance and faith in Christ for salvation.

Throughout Scripture, God's abhorrence of sin is a consistent theme that highlights His holiness and justice. It serves as a sobering reminder of the need for repentance and the transformative power of God's grace through Jesus Christ.