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What Does The Bible Say About Hatred?
Question- What Does the Bible Say about hatred?
Answer- Jesus said in Matthew 5:43-44, in the sermon on the mount, “but I say unto you, love your
enemies and pray for those who persecute you. John said that if someone hates another person that hatred
is the same as murder (1 John 3:15- “anyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer and you know
that no murderer has eternal life in him.”). There is no place in the life and activity of a true Christian
for hatred of another human being. Even if we have been treated unfairly and been the recipient of unjust
punishment (as Jesus most certainly was), we are to pray for that person and be willing to forgive them if
they repent. We cannot build up animosity towards anyone and be pleasing to God. Hate poisons people
and is a work of the flesh.
It may seem strange having said what we have already to also note that God commands us to hate. In
Hosea 9:15 it says of God; “every evil of theirs is in Gilgal, there I began to hate them because of the
wickedness of their deeds.” In order to be godly people, we must hate every false way (Psalm 119:104,
128). In Proverbs 6:16-19 we read of 6 things the Lord hates (arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that
shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to run to mischief, a false
witness who pours out lies, and one who sows discord among brethren). In order to love properly we must
hate the things God hates, and hate those who perpetuate those ways, without despising their souls and
hoping they die in a lost state We must love all men, generally, but never condone or endorse those who
do evil, not bid them godspeed in their evil (2 Jn. 11). Staying silent when we ought to speak out against
evil is an endorsement of evil (Eph. 5:11). We are to not only the have no fellowship with evil we are to
reprove those who practice evil. Sadly, many people are against evil, but will never speak up against
those who practice it. God’s people must be united in taking a strong stand against everything that God
would consider evil. His word is clear on those things and He expects his followers to serve Him if they
truly love Him.
All men have a soul, and God wants everyone to be saved and come to Him (2 Peter 3:9). Turn from your
sins (that offend God and cause Him to be turned against you and your ways). God sent His Son to die
for you so that you can be saved, but you must repent of your sins and be baptized for remission of them
in water (Jn. 3:16; Acts 2:38). Because God is holy, he cannot sanction anything unholy. We must be
cleansed by the blood of His son, to stand justified in His sight. If we can help you learn more about
God’s plan to save you, please contact us.
