HATE - A CANCER OF THE SOUL AND SOCIETY

 

                                   Hate – the Cancer of the Soul and Society

                               (For the local newspaper but not yet submitted)

  I realize that this is a harsh subject, and most of us feel immune to it, but like a cancer it can grow in us unwittingly, and before we detect it, it can have a firm and lethal grip on us, not only as individuals, but as a society.    

  Hate can grow from different directions and for various reasons. The scary thing about hate is that it grows subtly and even unnoticed. Initially it may begin as a hurt, an offense, resentment, or a disagreement. Possibly the cause may be justified to some extent, but be assured, hate is easily fed, and if well nurtured it can become a dangerous monster, both to yourself and to others.

  True, there are things we should hate, but before God Almighty, they must be qualified, like what He calls sin and evil, ESPECIALLY OUR OWN SIN. If we struggle to hate our own sin, there will be far less opportunity to hate others.

  HOW DO WE IDENTIFY HATE, AND HOW DO WE NIP IT AT THE BUD?

  Wrongs, and wrong doing, whether assumed or actual, are great breeding grounds for hatred. Whenever a person or topic is discussed and you sense within yourself anger, bitterness, and or resentment, then you know that hate may be growing behind it. At first it may seem justifiable, but that is what we are to be leery of. There are things that rightly make us angry, but if the anger is aimed more at a person or people than a thing, you will likely find that you are crossing a line. Conflicts and wars begin this way. In God’s eyes, hating our brother is equal to murder. Beware of the sources that feed your anger. Who and what is behind it? Are they your thoughts, or someone else’s??? Whatever feeds our bitterness, resentment, and anger, is our true enemy.

  Here are some directions from the Bible that helps us against this foe: Jesus commands us to love our enemies, and love thinks no evil. We are commanded to forgive unconditionally even as God in Christ Jesus forgives us. We are also instructed to be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God. Love is patient. We are to pray when we see wrong, and we are to overcome evil with good. Furthermore, we are to walk in humility and the fear of the Lord Who is the final Judge. Hate, pride, and anger, cannot abide in love, patience, forgiveness, and humility. God loves us, so let us love one another as He commands us, and bar the door to our hatred.

  What are we to do with the rise of evil? Jesus said, “Because sinful behavior will abound, the love of many will wax cold.” Therefore we must guard our heart, thoughts, and behavior at all times, pursue forgiveness, and abide in the love of Christ. We are not helpless. We have a God Who is mighty to save not only us, but Jesus also laid down His life for our “enemies.” Nor are we to become weary in well doing, but rather overcome evil with good. As the Bible says, we shall reap if we faint not. Finally, we are not to believe the worse of people, but rather commit them to God in prayer.

 One last admonition, if we are driven by fears we become an easy target to succumb to hate. If we believe that certain people are a danger to us, again the common reaction is to regard them as an enemy. The Bible says that we fight not against flesh and blood but against wicked spiritual forces. Hate does blind us. If we trust in Jesus we need not fear, let alone be consumed by hatred.

 Remember, our battle is not against people, but for the souls and welfare of mankind. Let us walk in the love of Jesus, and not think evil of others.