Hatred

Hatred

Bible1 Peter 4:7-11

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs (PROVERBS 10:12).

Reading

“Hatred destroys the container that carries it.” These words were spoken by a politician at the funeral of a world leader. Trying to describe his friend’s kindness, the politician remembered how the leader had chosen humour and love, rather than hatred, as the way he would manage his responsibilities and relationships. I really get his quote. I do so much damage to myself when I hold onto hatred! Even some medical research agrees. We actually hurt our bodies when we
cling to anger, grudges and hatred. Our blood pressure rises. Our hearts pound. Our muscles tense and ache. Our bodies are strained. In Proverbs 10:12, King Solomon wrote, “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” Our hatred doesn’t just hurt us, it makes us look for revenge against the people we hate. It stops us being able to connect with them in a healthy, normal way. God’s way of love, however, covers—or forgives—all wrongs. That doesn’t mean we ignore the bad things other people do, sweep arguments under the carpet or let others do whatever they want without consequence. But it does mean that we stop holding onto the wrong when someone is truly sorry. And if they never apologise, we still trust the issue to God and His perfect justice. We who know that “God is love” (1 JOHN 4:16) are to “love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 PETER 4:8).

HATRED IS LIKE DRINKING POISON AND HOPING IT
HURTS THE OTHER PERSON.

YouTh Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries