The Hate You Entertain
Key Verse to Read and Treasure
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. (Proverbs 22:10, ESV)
For Insight
There’s no question that hate is a powerful, impactful, and influential emotion. Yet it is more than an emotion it’s an attitude of the mind and heart that can disrupt, inject negativity, introduce darkness, produce all sorts of strife (both outwardly and inwardly) and in some cases set the tone for violence and unrest which is why it is also a powerful tool of the devil and Satan uses it to advance his agenda and plans.
Scripture warns us about loving an attitude of hate, being motivated by hate and being hate-filled, associating with those who promote hate and build their platforms on hate. Hate is worse than the most contagious disease, more vicious than any wild beast, and more aggressive than any weed we will ever tackle. And because hate never totally goes off the scene; always hidden somewhere in some heart, ideology and thinking it’s a danger to our relationships, our society, and world. There is always a seed of hate somewhere, waiting to be watered, lying dormant in the hearts of some people.
Cain had jealously for his brother Abel. His jealously led to hatred in his heart for his own brother and that hatred led to murder ( Read Genesis 4:1-8). Sometimes hate feels justified but God said the only hatred we should entertain is hatred for hate, hatred for evil and wickedness. Still, not even that kind of hatred should lead us into doing the very things we are to hate. When hatred creeps into our relationships it destroys the unity that should exist between us. Husbands who hate their wives cannot love them at the same time. Wives who hate their husbands cannot respect them. Parents who hate their children cannot care for them the way they should and will resent everything they do for their children, and children who hate their parents are not honoring God nor following His command. When hated seeps into our society, our politics, or any area we need to work together, become more tolerant and patient, accepting of one another and respecting even opposing views, we are in a dark place where Satan is the unseen ruler and using us as his puppets. Because hate is strong and overpowering, we are to reject it and be careful of the hate we entertain; even for one second.
Praying Proverbs 22:10
Jesus how many times we have read and heard “God is love; Jesus is love.” Never has it been said that God is hate and Jesus is hate. If we are to be more like You then we must reject hate; we cannot entertain hate and should not be attracted to those who promote hate, whether in their speech or actions. The only way this world will be a better place is if we reject all forms of hate and don’t entertain it. Amen.
Prayer Challenge
If you have hatred for anything or anybody, ask God to extract it from your heart and thoughts.
Digging Deeper:
Devotionally Yours 