“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
— Romans 12:9 KJV
Reflection on Today's Verse
This verse is short, but it hits deep. Paul isn’t just suggesting love—he’s defining real love. It has to be genuine, not just words or surface-level kindness. Love without hypocrisy means loving people when it’s inconvenient, when they don’t deserve it, and when no one is watching. It’s not selective or self-serving.
Then, Paul flips the switch. Love isn’t just about warmth and kindness; it’s also about hating what’s evil. That might sound intense, but true love doesn’t tolerate what destroys, corrupts, or harms. If love is real, it can’t make peace with sin. We don’t just passively avoid evil—we abhor it. There’s an urgency in that word.
And finally, the call to cling to what is good. Not just like good things, not just agree with them, but hold onto them for dear life. In a world that constantly pulls us toward compromise, real love keeps us anchored in what is true, right, and pure.
So, this verse is a heart-check. Is our love real, or is it just for show? Do we take a stand against what is evil, or do we let it slide? And are we desperately holding onto what is good, or just casually acknowledging it?
Paul’s challenge is clear: Love deeply, hate evil fiercely, and chase after what is good like your life depends on it—because spiritually, it does.
Personal Prayer
Lord, search my heart and strip away any false love, any kindness that’s just for show. Teach me to love like You do—genuinely, sacrificially, without hidden motives. Let my love be real, not just words but action, not just convenience but commitment.
Help me to hate what is evil, not in a way that makes me self-righteous, but in a way that breaks my heart for what breaks Yours. Give me discernment to reject what leads me away from You and the courage to stand for what is right, even when it costs me something.
Lord, I want to cling to what is good—to You. When the world pulls me in a hundred different directions, keep my soul anchored in Your truth. Let goodness not just be something I admire but something I pursue with all my heart.
Make me more like You, Jesus. Shape my love, strengthen my convictions, and guide my steps. In Your name, I pray. Amen.