Hating our Enemies

I’m reading a lot of hate comments coming from those who profess to be a child of God. Hate is NOT a fruit of the Spirit. In fact, hating someone/something is a sign of satan’s occupation in a person’s heart.

‘Oh but…what about the evil of the Deep State? What about Facebook censurers? What about those who create and sell the poison injections that are killing thousands? What about those who are behind the population reduction?’

As Christians, is it ok to hate these who are obviously our enemies?

Let’s bring it closer?

What about those in churches who teach counterfeit messages?

What about those in churches who treat the Bible as a buffet table?

What about those in churches who are leading out in the Sunday law mandates?

Can’t we hate these people?

Is it ok when we may not ‘hate’ in reality, but we spew poisonous words from our mouths?

What about bashing those in office who have done much harm to our country?Who have been instrumental in thousands dying; prices skyrocketing; many losing their jobs/homes?

Surely it is good to hate and spew poisonous words about these people?

Matt 4: 44-48

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Earlier in the chapter, Jesus tells us that we will be blessed when we are persecuted for His name’s sake.

If we go to the Bible to set our standards, then should we hate?

No.

Hate gives room for the devil to occupy the heart.

What did Jesus do when He experienced hate from the very people He had healed?

“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Another example: John 8 6-8, Matt 7: 1-5

Who among you is without sin? Let him cast the first stone.

First, get rid of your own sin before turning to judge another.

I am NOT saying that there is not great wrong being done. If you follow me at all, you know I’m plain-spoken about the sins that are occurring in the world. However, there is a difference between speaking out against wrong and attacking individuals.

There is a difference between addressing wrong and spewing verbal poison.

I have been greatly persecuted by those who call themselves Christians. Jesus was persecuted by church leaders.

How did He react?

He stuck to the biblical principles. He called sin, sin, but he still tried to ‘woo’ them with love. He still prayed for them.

God hates sin, but loves the sinner.
This should be our response.

We are to hate sin, but love the sinner.

If we do not show God’s love to all people, how are we different from those in the world?

In the 12 Step Recovery Program, there is a principle prescribed when we come across people who we have anger/resentment against. We are to pray for them every day for two weeks. We pray that they receive the good things we want for ourselves.

This is an amazing principle. What happens? Does the other person change? NO!! The praying person changes.

I’ve experienced this  myself.

Hate, anger, resentments….all these negative feelings destroy our spiritual health. They even destroy our physical health.These harm our gut biome and causes damages to our organs.

We are to speak truth. We are not to use the truth as a battering ram. We are to speak truth in love.

If we give place to hate, spewing poison from the mouth, God cannot dwell in us.

Love and hate cannot dwell in the same body. If there is the smallest amount of hate, it drives out the love.

In closing, I urge each to consider John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Jesus did not qualify those we are to love. Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan. In fact, I started this off with a reference to loving our enemies.

We cannot do this of our own strength. It’s only as God’s love dwells in us, that we can love those around us, especially those who persecute us.

Rather than spewing hatred, show love. Speak/post prayers that God will forgive them; that He will continue to work toward their salvation; that God will give you His heart of love.

Something to think about.