We’ve talked about hate several times in the blog, but I’m going to take the time and say it again. Rather it be hatred for a group of people or hatred for one individual person, no one with hate in their heart can enter heaven.
Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. — 1 John 3:15 (NIV)
When Jesus gave the sermon on the mount, the greatest sermon ever given, he covered many morals and ethics. No, it wasn’t everything, but they were ones that he felt necessary to address directly. It amazes me how many people who say they are called by his name just disregard the teachings of that sermon. People will have righteous indignation to call out sin in some places and completely ignore the teachings of this sermon in their own lives.
Take a look at this part of the sermon:
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. — Matt 5:21-22 (NIV)
Don’t get distracted with the particular words “raca” and “you fool”, they were the words of the time, but understand the emotion in which they are said.
Condemnation of hate is brought up in many places in the Bible; in fact, it’s used later on in the same sermon when he says:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your Father in heaven. — Matt 5:43-45 (NIV)
Yet, Matt 5:21-22 does not explicitly use the word hate, and for good reason. What Jesus wants to relay here is an emotion out of the heart. One word is said because you’re upset and the other is said out of disgust/deep contempt/resentment: that’s the difference between anger and hate. It is normal to get angry, but don’t let your anger turn into hate. Hate is one of the emotions that caused Cain to kill his brother Abel; the other was jealousy; that’s how powerful it is. Examine your heart and find out what are the true emotions behind your words and thoughts. Remember Post #6 Be Honest? Ask why you say the things you say, as well as how you say them. Ask how do you truly feel towards other people from a group to an individual.
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. — Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV)
If you are wronged, forgive and move on. Do not let it fester or hold a grudge, because those things give the devil a foothold. Once the devil has a foothold, that festering and grudge holding can/will metastasize into: resentment, stereotyping, prejudice, bigotry, jealousy, fear, pride and other like emotions and traits. These all cause you to ill treat your fellow man. And, of all the emotions and traits, resentment is what corrupts people the fastest. Saying the words “you fool” will not send you to hell, but the emotion behind it may very well.
You know, when I started to prepare to write this post, I was wondering how will I address racism. Namely, racism from people who profess to be Christians. Well, instead of me talking about them, let me talk to you 🙂 , as I assume you’re here because you want to know God better.
It’s crucial for you to know that the enemy works dirty! Do not underestimate him, as he is multifaceted and he always plays a long game. His plan is not to just have one person lose their soul, but as many as possible.
So, just as much as the person who originally projects hate will lose their soul, so will the person who lets resentment from a wrong doing overtake their heart. Again, it is OK to be angry, but don’t let it turn into hatred and ultimately corrupt you too; that’s his long game. This is the key to understanding Matt 5:43-45 quoted above. Forgiving, loving, and praying for your enemies also frees you and denies him a foothold.
I’ll repeat this again: examine your heart and find out what are the true emotions behind your words and thoughts. Be honest and ask why you say the things you say, as well as how you say them. Ask how do you truly feel towards other people from a group to an individual. If you find something isn’t right, then ask Jesus to help you to change and love everyone just as he loves. Only he can truly change you.
May God bless and keep all who read this.
May God bless and keep all brothers and sisters, new and old, in the faith in his name.
With his love and mine,
Chrom