FEELINGS OF HATRED

Is it wrong to hate? That depends on the object of our hate. We should never hate another person, because every person is a unique creation of Elohim, an eternal soul that can be redeemed. But we should certainly hate the sinful things that even our most cherished loved ones do. We are to love the sinner but hate the sin. Foul language, perversion, crime, waywardness, even gossip are things to hate. Hatred is an intense feeling of aversion or enmity, which could prompt a person to loathe someone or something or even to seek revenge for having been wronged. The Bible forbids people to hate others -- Leviticus 19:17-18, because it leads to sin. Indeed, hatred itself is considered murder -- 1 John 3:15. We are called upon to let YHVH, the Holy One, avenge all wrongs -- Proverbs 20:22) and we are Commanded by Yeshua to love our enemies -- Matthew 5:43-44. Not all aspects of hatred are sinful. The Bible tells us that YHVH hates evil -- Proverbs 6:16-19 and evil people -- Psalm 5:5. The Bible also has expressions such as Jacob have I loved; Esau I have hated -- Malachi 1:2-3. This means that YHVH elected Jacob and not Esau to be the father of the chosen Jewish race. In similar fashion, Yeshua challenged the people who wanted to follow Him to hate their lives and earthly relationships if they want to be His followers -- Luke 14:26. This means that they must choose Yeshua above all else.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT HATRED?

UNRESOLVED HATRED CAN BECOME AN ALL-CONSUMING OBSESSION.

What a happy man Haman was as he left the banquet! But when he saw Mordecai sitting at the gate, not standing up or trembling nervously before him, he was furious. -- Esther 5:9. Hatred and bitterness are like weeds with long roots that grow in the heart and corrupt all of life. Haman was so consumed with hatred toward Mordecai that he could not even enjoy the honour of being invited to Esther’s party. Hebrews 12:15 warns us to watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you, for whenever it springs up, many are corrupted by its poison. Don’t let hatred and its resulting bitterness builds in your heart. Like Haman, you will find it backfiring against you -- see Esther 6:13; 7:9-10. If the mere mention of someone’s name provokes you to anger, confess your bitterness as sin. Ignoring bitterness, hiding it from others or making superficial changes in behaviour is not enough. If bitterness isn’t completely removed, it will grow back, making matters worse.

HATRED MAY LEAD US TO DISOBEY YHVH.

Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction in order to get away from Adonai. He went down to the seacoast, to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping that by going away to the west he could escape from Adonai. -- Jonah 1:3. Nineveh was a powerful and wicked city. Jonah had grown up hating the Assyrians and fearing their atrocities. His hatred was so strong that he didn’t want them to receive YHVH’s mercy. Jonah was actually afraid the people would repent -- Jonah 4:2-3. Jonah’s attitude is representative of Israel’s reluctance to share YHVH’s love and mercy with others, even though this was their YHVH-given mission -- Genesis 12:3. They, like Jonah, did not want non-Jews [Gentiles] to obtain YHVH’s favour. When hatred is shifted from the evil that people do onto the people themselves, even more evil has been generated.

THERE IS A TIME TO HATE.

There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to rebuild. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to lose. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak up. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. -- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Timing is important. All the experiences listed in these verses are appropriate at certain times. The secret to peace with YHVH is to discover, accept and appreciate YHVH’s perfect timing. The danger is to doubt or resent YHVH’s timing. This can lead to despair, rebellion or moving ahead without His advice.

THE CAPACITY TO HATE CAN BE A POWERFUL MOTIVATION TOWARD JUSTICE.

When is there a time for hating? We shouldn’t hate evil people, but we should hate what they do. We should also hate it when people are mistreated, when children are starving and when YHVH is being dishonoured. In addition, we must hate sin in our life; this is YHVH’s attitude -- see Psalm 5:5.

IS IT EVER APPROPRIATE TO HATE ANYONE OR ANYTHING?

Leviticus 19:17: -- Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Ecclesiastes 3:8: -- A time to love and a time to hate. Psalm 97:10: -- You who love Adonai, hate evil! 1 John 3:15: -- Anyone who hates another believer is really a murderer at heart. Matthew 5:43-44: -- You have heard that the Law of Moses says, Love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! We are to love all people and hate all sin. When we truly love YHVH we will hate sin. Are you drifting into a love for sinful things? This may be an indicator of a declining love for YHVH.

WHAT CAUSES HATRED?

Galatians 5:19-23: -- When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results… But when Ruach HaKodesh controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us. Hatred comes from following our own sinful desires. Instead, we must allow Ruach HaKodesh to fill our lives, leaving no room for hatred. Esther 5:9: -- What a happy man Haman was as he left the banquet! But when he saw Mordecai sitting at the gate, not standing up or trembling nervously before him, he was furious. Haman hated Mordecai because he refused to bow down before him. This petty jealousy, a hunger for recognition, drove Haman to insane hatred that would not be satisfied until Mordecai was killed. Be careful! Petty jealousy can lead to hatred, which can lead to violent thoughts or actions.

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE BEGIN TO HATE OTHERS WHOM THEY THOUGHT THEY LOVED?

Judges 15:2: I really thought you hated her, her father explained, so I gave her in marriage to your best man. But look, her sister is more beautiful than she is. Marry her instead. Did Samson hate his wife? He certainly gave that impression to her father. In his fury at his wife -- Judges 14:19, he went home to his parents, giving the impression that he had abandoned her. This led to bigamy, destruction and ultimately murder. Anger and hatred bear bitter fruits with seeds of destruction.

HOW DO WE LET GO OF HATRED?

Proverbs 15:1: A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger. Get rid of anger. Anger leads to bitterness, which leads to hatred. Micah 6:8: This is what He requires: to do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your YHVH. Mercy and humility are powerful weapons against hatred. Ephesians 4:31-32: Get rid of all bitterness… Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another. Forgiveness stops hatred. Colossians 3:18-19: You wives must submit to your husbands… And you husbands must love your wives. Humble submission and love cast out hatred.

WE CANNOT LOVE YHVH AND HATE YHVH’S PEOPLE.

1 John 4:20: If someone says, I love YHVH, but hates another believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love YHVH, whom we have not seen?

FOLLOWING YESHUA MAY CAUSE SOME TO HATE YOU.

John 17:14: The world hates them because they do not belong to the world. 1 Peter 4:14-19: It is no shame to suffer for being a believer. Those who love sin hate those who are against sin. If you take a stand against sin, expect opposition.