The Harm in Hatred
Today's Verse:
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; ~Proverbs 26:24
Proverbs 26 is a very strong chapter that deals with the marks of a fool and of a hateful person. Hatred is a very strong dislike and resentment of something or someone. It is a feeling rooted in bitter disappointment and a desire for retaliation or vengeance. Feelings of hatred stir up rabid distrust, thoughts of ill will, and even violent considerations. We live in a world filled with hatred. Hatred is the ground seed for fighting, wars, and aggressions. Solomon instructs us about the harm in hatred.
There is the defiling in hatred.
Hatred is a poison that possesses you. It is one step away from property damage, bodily injury, or even the death of the person who is hated. It can morph an otherwise peaceful person into a maniac bent on edging out the person who is hated. The hateful person is highly critical, vilifying, and has a readiness to hurt. It is an emotional state that needs to be brought under control.
There is the deceitfulness in hatred.
A hateful person is tricky, conniving, and deceitful with his words. He couches what he says with cryptic words to disguise his true feelings. His words do not give away the intensity of his hostile feelings. He will deny that he has a high dislike of you. He might tell you that things are alright when in reality, he might be waiting to plunge a knife into your back. "A flattering mouth worketh ruin."
There is the disapproval of hatred.
“When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.” Hatred in a man is described as "seven abominations in his heart." I think of seven categories of evil things that a hateful person could do to someone whom he hates. We are instructed not to believe his flatteries and polished speech. Don’t put in stock the words of a hateful person. Hatred is a work of the flesh and it is a sin that breaks the heart of God.
There is the discipline of hatred.
God will ultimately discipline a hateful believer. A hateful person will be exposed and subjected to church discipline. “Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.” One of the God-sanctioned remedies against hatred is to bring an unrepentant, hateful person before the congregation for church discipline. The entire congregation becomes privy to the hateful person’s attempts to disparage and destroy those whom he hates.
There is the downfall of hatred.
"Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him." A hateful person digs his own grave when hatred occupies his heart. He is compared to a man pushing a large, heavy stone up a mountain only to have the stone fall back and crush the man. In effect, the boulder that you are pushing to hurt another person is a boulder that will eventually roll over you.
Hatred is bad business. We must guard our hearts and feelings from it. Don’t allow disappointments to turn you into a hateful person. Bury every hatchet. Heap coals of fire on the heads of those who have avowed themselves as your enemy. Live in the love of Christ and God.
Have a love-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Exodus 39-40