From: The Handbook of Bible Application
HATRED (Anger, Dislike, Hostility)
What does the Bible say about hatred?
BIBLE READING: Esther 5:1-14
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. (Esther 5:9 , niv)
Unresolved hatred can become an all-consuming obsession. 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 honor of being invited to Esther’s party. Hebrews 12:15 warns us to watch out “that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Don’t let hatred and its resulting bitterness build 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 behavior is not enough. If bitterness isn’t completely removed, it will grow back, making matters worse.
BIBLE READING: Psalm 139:1-24
KEY BIBLE VERSE: O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I be grieved with them? (Psalms 139:21 , tlb)
Within strict limits, hatred can be an intense expression of loyalty. David’s hatred for his enemies came from his zeal for God. David regarded his enemies as God’s enemies, so his hatred was a desire for God’s righteous justice and not for personal vengeance. Is it all right to be angry at people who hate God? Yes, but we must remember that it is God who will deal with them, not us. If we truly love God, then we will be deeply hurt if someone hates him. David asked God to search his heart and mind and point out any wrong motives that may have been behind his strong words. But while we seek justice against evil, we must also pray that God’s enemies will turn to him before he judges them (see Matthew 5:44 ).
BIBLE READING: Jonah 1:1-17
KEY BIBLE VERSE: But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord . (Jonah 1:3 , niv)
Hatred may lead us to disobey God. 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 God’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 God’s love and mercy with others, even though this was their God-given mission (Genesis 12:3 ). They, like Jonah, did not want non-Jews (Gentiles) to obtain God’s favor. When hatred is shifted from the evil that people do onto the people themselves, even more evil has been generated.
BIBLE READING: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
KEY BIBLE VERSE: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: . . . a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 , 8 , niv)
There is a time to hate. Timing is important. All the experiences listed in these verses are appropriate at certain times. The secret to peace with God is to discover, accept, and appreciate God’s perfect timing. The danger is to doubt or resent God’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 God is being dishonored. In addition, we must hate sin in our life—this is God’s attitude (see Psalm 5:5 ) .
