Tag: hatred
Jesus linked hatred with murder!
Scripture reading for July 5th: Matthew 5
Key Scriptures: Matthew 5:21-26 “You have heard it said, to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.‘ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court; lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.”
Jesus was preaching to a crowd of people in what is one of the longest of His sermons in Scripture. Jesus was told His followers of the blessedness of life in the kingdom of God and explained what that life looked like. He took one of the ten commandments, “Thou shall not commit murder” and expanded on its deeper heart issue: hatred. Hatred is the root of murder in one’s heart and it must be dealt with urgently and in a timely manner or it will bring death and destruction. Hatred imprisons those who hold onto it and holds them fast. Our current culture and world is full of hatred and the resulting fruits of murder, destruction and imprisonment in bitterness and rage. Oh how we need to heed Jesus’ Word of instruction and warning! Many are locked in prisons and won’t be able to get out until they do. Some will end up in eternal suffering. Jesus paid the price to get us out if we will repent and ask forgiveness.
Matthew 6:43-45 “”You have heard it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father Who is in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, forgive me for harboring hatred in my heart towards those who offend me. Cleanse me from all hatred and fill me with Your love and forgiveness. Use me to bring deliverance to those imprisoned by hatred and bitterness and to overcome evil with good.
Proverbs 10:12 “Hatred stirs up strife, but loves covers all offenses.”
The world hates Jesus!
Scripture reading for November 11th: Ezekiel 43-45; Psalm 135; John 15
Key Scriptures: John 15:18-21 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the Word that I said to you: “A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My Word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of My Name, because they do not know Him who sent Me.”
The world as it is used here refers to the mass of unredeemed humanity under the darkness of sin and the world system of Babylon. Those who are still a captive of sin and Satan have a hatred for Jesus and those who follow Him. The world loves its own but despises disciples of Jesus and the Lord Himself. Disciples have been chosen by Jesus to come out of the world and join the kingdom of heaven. They are grafted into Jesus Christ, the true Vine of Life. Disciples remember the Word of Jesus concerning the world’s hatred and live by faith, loving each other and those still caught in the trap of the devil. They want to see all men saved and know Jesus Christ.
Psalm 135:14 “For the Lord will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your precious Word and Your patient endurance of suffering and persecution by those still under this world system. Your goodness has lead me and others to repentance and my eternal inheritance, Jesus Christ forever and ever.
Ezekiel 44:28 “This shall be their inheritance: I am their inheritance: and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession.”
Check your heart for hatred!
Scripture reading for November 21st: 1st John 2
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 1st John 2:9-11 “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.”
The devil is always stirring up emotions in the hearts of mankind. Because of the selfishness of the human heart because of sin, hatred towards one another abounds. Every person is made in the likeness of God and hatred towards another brother or sister is part of the world of darkness. This darkness blinds people and causes them to stumble and fall. Christ’s love alone can cleanse the heart from hatred. Hatred is the precursor of murder!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers guard their hearts against a return of the old nature and its evil desires and emotions of hatred. The live in the Light of Christ’s glory and mercy. “Therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will treat you in accordance with the anger and jealousy you showed in your hatred of them and I will make myself known among them when I judge you.” (Ezekiel 35:11)