Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.
As we continue with our study of the works of the flesh, we come to the sin of hatred. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred..... (Galatians 5:19-20)
The demonic spirit of hatred is closely related to unforgiveness and bitterness and only hurts the person harboring the hate. To hate someone does no harm to them, but it will destroy you.
God calls us to love people as He loves them. God loves all people, and we are to do the same. We may not like or agree with their lifestyle or how they operate, but they are someone for whom Jesus died, just like we are.
Take a moment to think back to how you were before you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Where would you be if everyone hated you? Where would you be if God hated you? How many times have you failed since you have been saved? How many times has God shown you Love, Mercy, and Grace only for you to fail again?
The Word of God tells us that no one is perfect. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God, being justified freely by His Grace through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His Blood, through faith, to demonstrate His Righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His Righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:23-26)
Hatred is a sin; a work of the flesh. If Satan can convince us to hate someone, he has lured us outside the fence of the Pasture of Plenty, which is filled with Love for all people.
Take this opportunity to pray and ask God to allow you to see the people you hate through His Eyes. See them as God sees them; people for whom He gave His Only Begotten Son to die on the Cross so they may be saved and born again. They will never be perfect. You will not either.
People are lacking in many things; therefore, they enter into sin. The greatest thing they lack is the Love of God and the Saving Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t hate them. Pray for them. Pray for the Lord God to somehow send His Message of the Cross of Christ to them, that they may come to the knowledge of His Saving Grace and Mercy.
That’s how you love someone you have once hated. The ability to love these people is a powerful Benefit in the Believer’s Benefit Package. There is no real love outside the fence of the Pasture of Plenty. There we find hatred and strife. All Love is inside the fence. The closer you stay to the Cross of Christ, the more Love you will exude to others.
Consider the wisdom of King Solomon: Hatred stirs up strife, (outside the fence) But Love covers all sins. (Inside the Pasture of Plenty)
The Love of God will………turn the tide….......in your life!
Love you, Doreen
bettsministries.org
