Hate Crimes
This post is one that I have been mulling over for a long, long time.
No, it is not about politics or law enforcement.
It IS about one of the great unspoken sins that hides itself in most churches and in the hearts of many Christians. (also see "Murmuring". )
It is NOT about disagreeing with someone in a matter of faith or belief, although it may grow out of how we handle a disagreement. Outwardly keeping the 10 Commandments, the Sabbath, and the feasts of Israel will not deliver us from this.
This little item will guarantee pain, sickness, affliction, and even death, if allowed to hide or fester in our heart.
It will make room for anger, unforgiveness, pride, and self-righteousness. The evidence for it finding safe harbor in Christianity is widespread. It separates, divides, sickens, and kills. It destroys families, friends, and relationships.
When most of us hear, read, or think of the word "hate", strong, violent emotions come to mind. Perhaps racist groups, militant terrorists, or some angry person on TV news or in a movie.
The current genres of music, rap, and "death metal" all glorify a culture of hate.
Even good 'ole PATRIOTISM stirs up hatred against others from different countries, religions, or people groups simply because they are in a different country. But we will confine this to a very surprising finding from God's Word.
1Jn 2:9
He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now.
10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hateth his brother is in the darkness, and walketh in the darkness,.hi
Those three verses are well worth reading over and over and over.
Here is why:
Hateth: greek.
miseo, Strongs 3404
it means:
to hate, pursue with hatred, detest
...from a primary word misos (hatred);
to detest (especially to persecute); by extension to love less: - hate (-ful).
That little "eth" means a contiuing action. God is saying "GET OVER IT. FORGIVE... like I said".
"Oh I'm a Christian, I don't hate anyone" we say.
Really?
Have we "detested" anyone?
When we understand Gods measure of what "hate" really means, what He is saying is to "detest" someone is to "hate" them.
Another word to include might be "to despise".
To pursue them with feelings of ill-will, malice, a grudge, bitterness, or unforgiveness is to hate.
Do you doubt this? Remember Jesus said "to look upon a woman with lust" is the same as committing adultery with her. We may not think we are "hating" someone but if we merely "detest" them, the truth is we are not walking in the light.
Is it a wonder why so many Christians have physical afflictions? We as Christians are guaranteed to have offenses come our way, -make no mistake about it. God will make sure we are tempted and tested in regard to this, and he expects us to overcome.
Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come
And how important is it to our salvation to NOT hold hate/ detesting/ or despising others?
1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
What Jesus taught:
1. to the disciples in John 20:23,
"Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained"
remit: forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up
retain: to use strength, seize or retain (literally or figuratively): - hold (fast), keep, (hold) on, obtain
So if we do not forgive, we "retain" their sin in us, and we suffer punishment. Try "retaining" some toxic material in your body and see if there is not an effect.
2. Jesus taught because of unforgiveness, that:
(Mat 18:34) ... his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
I am convinced that most, if not all depression is the "tormentors" at work, and eventually, sickness and even death, follow. Jesus said we would "pay all" for not forgiving.
This for only "detesting" someone?
How long do we remain agry with someone?
If we "retain" ANY "aught" (i.e., anything) against "anyone", we are committing "hate crimes".
How do we overcome?
We must repent and "forgive". -even the small stuff.
We pray forgiveness toward them, we confess forgiveness for them, and we can even speak kindness to them no matter what caused a falling out.
We can do that on our part, and if they will not receive our forgiveness, then Jesus said they would be "turned over to the judge".
If we have "retained" in ignorance, someone's offence and have "pursued" them by "detesting" them, then we repent.
Some of you reading this have conditions in your physical body and and relationships that have been caused by these things and wondered why you cannot get well.
We know of church-going people with joint and connective tissue diseases which are a direct result of "detesting" someone, (i.e., hate crimes). We know of some who are crippled for the same cause.
Christians can really love good when they agree, but watch out if you don't agree!
They say they are walking in God's love, and how they "love the Lord", but they hold on to grudges and despise their brother?
1 John 4:20 If a man say, "I love God", and hateth (despises) his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Hebrews 12:
14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 looking carefully lest there be any man that falleth short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled;
Even our doctrinal disagreements can slip us into the shadows of spiritual darkness.
Romans 14 addresses those who would "set at nought" someone they disagree with over a matter of faith:
3) Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him
4) Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand.
Others are nagged by depression and mental torment from not forgiving. It matters not to God whether it was another Christian, the local mayor or another politician, our own children, family, a neighbor, or someone on an internet forum.
Gods standard is purity and His people are "defiled' by hate crimes.
we are to walk in LOVE and FORGIVENESS..
Col. 3:
13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:
14 and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.
Father I pray that as your children we may forgive anyone who has offended us. Please grant each of us the grace to forgive and forget in order that we may also be forgiven and healed, both spiritualy and physically. Thank you for giving us this grace and mercy, may we do likewise.
In the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord.
We would be glad to pray anyone in regard to this article. You may contact us through this website.
-rory moore
Matthew: 6
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
and again in Mark 11:
25 And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one; that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
