Hate destroys both the person who is the giver of hate and can destroy the person hated. Nothing good can come from hate, yet people hate because it is part of the “fallen man’s” nature. Only through a true Christian life, can a person overcome the “fallen man” and become a new creature, with the attributes of their Father, God.
Satan is the exact opposite of God. God creates and Satan hates God so much, that he destroys what God builds. God created man and the rest of the world and saw that it was good. Satan, wishing to destroy creation, beguiled man and brought death to a perfect world. Satan does the same thing today, “he comes to kill, steal and destroy”. (John 10:10)
Let us look at the love chapters in 1 Corinthians 13.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
What would hate look like? Hate is not patient, and hateful. It envies, boasts and is proud; it is a “all about me” position. Hate is rude, seeks self over others, is easily angered and records every wrong so it can later be used to destroy the person. Hate wants worthless gossip and lies to destroy people. Hate is not protective, unless it is lording over something and will protect self-interest. Hate cannot trust because it is not giving, but takes. Hate worries about everything, destroys and will some day fail when our Lord and Savior returns.
Clearly, God is love (1 John 4:8) and Satan is the exact opposite or opposing force. When a person is saved, he is a “new creature” born into the image of God. However, Satan will always try to destroy what God has made. We Christians must continually renew our minds with the word of God and with His Spirit so we do not allow other’s hate to destroy us, making us hate too. Satan will try to destroy God’s man or woman, we must learn to see his devices and not let him take us away from God’s Spirit.
I have some great news that is in John 10:10! “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” No matter what your circumstances, Jesus is the only way.
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