What does it mean to hate God or another? The key New Testament word is miseo. By looking at a wide variety of sources on the meaning of this word, we can see that hatred includes every form of hostility toward someone. When that someone is God (who created us to be in fellowship with Him), then we are living in darkness and hatred of Him (1 Jn 2:9, WSNT note). According to Gal 5:20, hatred undermines community well-being through a self-centered focus only on what is good for ourselves, not for what is good for all (DeSilva, Galatians, p 461). As I understand it, protecting ourselves or another from the violent actions of another need not be a form of hatred. In fact, it is probably an expression of love.
What are some other ways we hate God or others? We are guilty of a form of hate when we disregard another or show them less esteem than what they deserve. To hate includes slighting, mistreating, and failure to love someone we should love. For instance, in Gen 29:31, 33 it says that Leah was ‘unloved’ by her husband but the NASB note says that the literal meaning of ‘unloved’ is ‘hated.’ Being indifferent toward or inadequately committed to God is a form of hate (Lk 11:23). Likewise, an unwillingness to have fellowship with believers at church could be viewed as hating them and God since having hate means we are not ‘in the light’ (1 Jn 2:9). However, to be ‘in the light’ is to be in fellowship with both God and a community of His people (1 Jn 1:7).
Is hate ever acceptable? Yes. The Lord loves people (Jn 3:16) but hates sin (Heb 1:9; Prov 6:16-19; Jer 44:4; Zech 8:17). He also wants His people to be like Him in loving people (1 Jn 3:14) but hating sin (Rom 12:9; Ps 26:5; Rev 2:6; Prov 8:13; Amos 5:15).
Let us not show any form of hate for God or others.
Instead of being timid, learn to be appropriately bold.