Jumpstarter 8 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion

Question 8

Bercot says God “absolutely detests sin, but not the sinner,” and quotes William Law that a sinner is “carrying on the devil’s work against God”; how does that framing confront modern comfort with entertainment built on sin (shows, jokes, novels), and what might “hating the deeds” (Revelation 2:6) require in practice?

Another way to ask: If God hates sin but loves the sinner, how should that affect our comfort with entertainment that makes sin look funny or normal? What would it look like in real life to “hate the deeds” (Rev. 2:6)?

Direct Answer

Bercot’s framing treats sin as spiritually aligned with the devil’s work, so finding sin entertaining is incompatible with the kingdom life; “hating the deeds” would require rejecting entertainment that makes sin attractive or humorous.

Support from Transcript:

He states plainly: “God absolutely detests sin, but not the sinner.”
He quotes William Law: “Insofar as he sins, every sinner is a friend of the devil’s and is carrying on the devil’s work against God.”
He directly critiques entertainment habits: “some Christians are attracted to sin and even find it amusing or entertaining… novels, movies, and television shows that focus on sin… laugh at vulgar jokes.”
He uses Revelation’s example: even the church in Ephesus “hated the sexual immorality of the Nicolaitans… ‘which I also hate’” (Rev. 2:6).
He concludes: “We hardly hate sexual immorality if we find it entertaining or humorous,” tying hatred of sin to what we enjoy.

Discussion Follow-ups What practical choices might “hate the deeds” include—turning off certain media, refusing certain humor, or changing what we recommend to others? How can we reject sin while still loving sinners, as the transcript distinguishes?

Jumpstarter 8 of 10

Add your phone number?

Thank you!

Jumpstarter 8 of 10