In a ministry of prayer, I saw a young man. At first glance his physical and looks are fine. But when he prayed, he burst into tears. It was apparent how much he wants freed from the extremely heavy burden which has endured. What is that? Hatred!
All originated from an event with someone who really hurt him. Since then grows hatred in his heart. He thought that all will be fine. He thought his hatred will fade gradually as time goes by. But the opposite happened. Increasingly the hatred was getting bigger and rooted, until it turns into bitterness.
When he knew that hatred has destroyed himself, he decided to forgive in order to gain liberation and relief. But he was powerless to do it. No matter how he wants to forgive, he cannot! His mind was aware that he had to forgive, and he was willing to forgive, but his heart refused. Hatred has transformed into a bitter heart. Hatred is so bad! But thank God, that young man was coming to the right place that is in the presence of God who able to liberate him.
At first we are satisfied when can vent anger and hatred to someone. We feel that they deserve to be hated. Their deeds and words are very painful. They might be a traitor, cheater, liar, thief, braggart, and so on. But if we do not immediately make a decision to forgive, then hatred will have a place to plant roots in our hearts. Finally we ourselves were harmed.
A SNAKE IN THE GRASS
Hatred robs joy, steals a peace, destroys a friendship, and disunites the family. Many good things are lost when our hearts are filled with hatred.
HATRED ALIENATE US FROM GOD
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? (1 John 4:20 NKJV)
Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:15 NKJV)
HATRED IS A SIN! We cannot approach the very presence of God if our hearts are filled with hatred.
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24 NKJV)
HATRED MAKES OUR PRAYERS HINDERED.
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. (Isaiah 59:1-2 NKJV)
HATRED HARM OURSELVES.
But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (1 John 2 :11 NKJV)
HATRED IS LIKE A SNAKE IN THE GRASS. Every day we live with him and close to him, but secretly he will destroy us from within. An external enemy is easier to watch out and fought. But the enemy that comes from within is very dangerous! Therefore, do not give place to the hatred.
“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. (Ephesians 4:26-27, 31 NKJV)
PERFECT LOVE
DAVID had a reason to hate their parents and siblings because they had forgotten him when Samuel comes to selecting and anointed king of Israel (1 Samuel 16: 1-13). David also had a reason to hate and revenge on Saul who continued hunt to kill him though he was not guilty.
JOSEPH also had reason to hate and revenge on his older brothers who has harmed then sold him into slavery (Genesis 37: 18-28).
BUT DAVID AND JOSEPH are the ones who choose to forgive when they have a reason to hate. David did not kill Saul even though the opportunity was opened widely in front of him (1 Samuel 24: 1-16). Joseph precisely accommodates and maintains his brothers who ask for his help during the famine (Genesis 45-47). David and Joseph chose to love when they have a chance for revenge. Whereof they got the power to do it all? All of it just from God’s loves alone.
looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; (Hebrews 12:15 NKJV)
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. (Proverbs 10: 12 NKJV)
THE OPPOSITE OF HATE IS LOVE. Not human love, but perfect love of God that is at work within us. Jesus is the perfect example of love. Jesus could punish and condemn those who despised and tormented him. But in his omnipotence to do everything, Jesus chose to say: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34a NKJV) That is the love of God.
HOLY SPIRIT
Forgiving is not easy. But the forgiving is not an option, but a necessity.
Forgiving is not an option but a necessity. Oh… but it is so difficult. Yes, right. But if God has commended, He will gives us a strength to do it. God gives us the Holy Spirit as a magical helper in all circumstances. No one can change the human hearts except the Holy Spirit. As long as we are willing to open our hearts and allow Him, the Holy Spirit will helps us to love and forgive beyond the limit of our ability. Therefore constantly build a relationship and intimate with the Holy Spirit is very important.
“Now hope does not disappoint, because THE LOVE OF GOD HAS BEEN POURED OUT IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO WAS GIVEN TO US.” (Romans 5:5 NKJV)
At the moment we feel the anger and hurt, immediately cried out and surrender to God before hatred become deeper and cultivating bitter roots.
LIFESTYLE
For how long we have to forgive? Until we return to the Father’s house. Peter had asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22 NKJV)
And this is what God wants us to do:
Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (Colossians 3:13 NKJV)
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV)
Just as we were always requires forgiveness from the Father each time we make a mistake, so we must always forgive those who have wronged us. As a sinner who has been redeemed by Christ and become children of the Loving Father, let’s make a forgiving as our lifestyle. Not by our strength but by God’s power and love.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32 NKJV)
Let God the Father in Heaven bestow love and mercy for us all so we can live in harmony with His word. His perfect love is able to heel and restore everything. Amen.
By: Sella Irene – Beautiful Words
https://sellairene.wordpress.com
Original Image from Google Images
Wonderful post, Sella Irene. God bless you for sharing. 🙂
Hello dear,
Thank you 🙂 Sister Sella is a great writer. God bless you too..
Hello :)thank you so much, praise the Lord. God bless you too
Regards : Sella Irene
Excellent message!
Hello dear,
Thank you 🙂 God bless.
The message is very edifying.
Hello there, thank you 🙂 May God bless you always.
My honor: Sella Irene
Thank you Sella. God bless you!
Hi Sella!
I needed to hear this. I am in that exact position at the very moment and It’s so hard to forgive. But like you said, the Holy Spirit is the one who empowers us to forgive. I know what I should do now cause I don’t want to miss what God has for me.
Thanks Karina for sharing this timely post. God bless the both of you!
Rolain
Hi brother Rolain… long time no hear from you, how are you 🙂 How’s your music ministry?
Yes, if we do not do God’s will, we would have missed the opportunity to receive the blessings that God has provided for us. I’m sure you can go through all your problems and winning with the Holy Spirit. God bless you and your ministry, Rolain. Warm regards from Indonesia : Sella 😀
I am well Sella.
I am doing well….I have just come back from Australia with the team. We had an amazing time of ministry over there.
Thanks again for a very timely post….
I hope you are well…
Hi Rolain… yes, I am well in God’s hands. Ow, Australia. Your team already went to many countries 🙂 Great… Have a blessed team.
– Sella –
I am glad you are well Sella! It’s by God’s grace that we have travelled where we have travelled!! There are many nations we need to go to and God willing we come to Indonesia!!!
Wooww…. I will very happy if you come to my country for ministry trip. Hopefully 🙂
Warm regards: Sella
My faith is high! 🙂
The key to diffusing hatred is to realize there is a reason someone did something and there will be consequences for their ways and/or there are other underlying factors involved. Sometimes you need to seek out further understanding.
Hello Jason, nice to read your comment. You’re right, we should be more prudent in looking at and addressing issues and others, especially if we are in the position of people who are more mature spiritually. Thank you for your point of view that can complement this writing. Have a nice day. Thanks for spent time here. Bless you.. (Sella Irene)
Pingback: My Article Read (10-26-2015) | My Daily Musing
Pingback: “Hatred” 10/27/2015 by by Sella Irene | God's group
Pingback: KEBENCIAN | BeautifulWords
Love it Karina
Thank you, bless you there
I like this post very much, sis! Your guest writer made several good points here. The inability to forgive leads to God’s own unwillingness to forgive us our sins…(Mark 11:26). Harboring a grudge festers up into hatred and leads us even further from God! May we always forgive those who have wronged us, even if they wrong us more than once!
Have a super weekend Karin and may the Lord continue to bless you…
Steve 🙂
Hello brother,
Yeah actually Sister Sella is a great writer 🙂 Thank you for your lovely comment and also for the Bible verse, brother. Happy weekend to you and your family too. God bless.
Hope your day was a good one, sis!
🙂
I’ve often heard– It takes more muscles to frown than to smile. Nice post.
Hi there,
Thank you so much 🙂 not just take more muscle but will make our face looks ugly. God bless 🙂
Your selfless heart brings such meaningful messages to us. The spirit leads us who share in wonderful ways as I also shared a poem on forgiveness this weekend. Your messages are always on point and uplifting. To have your words embrace my spirit…is truly a beautiful blessing! God bless you my dear sister and your family!
Hello brother in Christ Wendell,
Thank you very much 🙂 I will definitely read your poem about forgiveness. By the way, I encourage you to visit and follow my sister in Christ Sella’s blog. She is good poem writer like you too. God bless you, brother 🙂
I will, thanks again Karina!
Hi sis! Just a good evening to you and yours. Hope your day was a good and productive one…
Your Bro.
Hello bro,
Thank you very much for stopping by. I am grateful we all are good in God’s love and provision 🙂 Thank you and God bless 🙂
That’s always good to hear, sis. I hope you enjoy everyday of your life, although we know that is probably not always going to happen.
In your times of trial, be patient and pray. Work with the abilities God gave you to make things better. And always remember, I am here to listen if you need that…
Bro. 🙂
Hello brother,
Thank you very much for your kindness, bro:) Thank you for your concern. I am so honored. Regards from my husband to you. God bless.
Hi sis! My day always brightens up when I see any comment from you! I know we usually say the same “hello” each day, but it is still special…
And the best of regards to your husband as well! The two of you, (three with the baby), are wonderful people…
Your bro, Steve 🙂
Always inspiring. Keep up the good work.
Thank you very much. God bless 🙂
You and sister Sella Irene make a good pair, Karina. 🙂
Dear,sister Anna.
I am so sorry for the late reply.. Thank you very much for your kind words,sister.. Sister Sella is a great author 🙂 God Bless and have a nice day.