Thomas Brooks emphasizes that true hatred of sin goes beyond mere actions such as refraining from sin, confessing it, or fearing its consequences. He argues that genuine hatred of sin is rooted in a deep understanding of its nature and its opposition to God. Unlike hypocrites who may regret sin for its repercussions, a true believer mourns sin because it offends God and corrupts the soul. Brooks illustrates that a sincere hatred of sin is akin to hating it as one would hate hell itself, reflecting a profound spiritual integrity.

("Touchstone of Sincerity") To hate sin is not merely to refrain from sin, for so Balaam did. To hate sin is not merely to confess sin, for so Pharaoh and Judas did. To hate sin is not merely to be afraid to sin, for this may be where there is no hatred of sin. To hate sin is not merely to mourn because of the dreadful effects and fruits that sin may produce, for so Ahab did, and the Ninevites did, etc. He who fears sin for hell, fears not to sin—but to burn. He hates sin indeed—who hates sin as hell itself. It was a saying of one of the ancients, that if hell and sin were before him, he would rather fall into hell than fall into sin. Here was a true hatred of sin indeed. A hypocrite may be troubled for sin, as it blots his reputation, and wounds his conscience, and brings a scourge, and destroys his soul, and shuts him out of heaven, and throws him to hell! But he is never troubled for sin, he never mourns for sin, he never hates sin because it is contrary to the nature of God, the being of God, the law of God, the glory of God, the design of God; or because of the evil which is in the nature of sin, or because of the defiling and polluting power of sin.