Dear brothers and sisters, today we will talk about the important topic of hatred towards others. Hatred is a powerful emotion that can harm us and those around us. The Bible teaches us to love one another and to avoid hatred at all costs.
Hatred is like a poison that corrupts our soul and leads us away from God’s light. When we harbor hatred in our hearts, we are not only hurting others but also distancing ourselves from the love and grace of God. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. This teaching reminds us that love is stronger than hatred.
Consider the story of Cain and Abel. Cain’s hatred towards his brother led him to commit a terrible sin. This story shows us the destructive power of hatred and the importance of controlling our emotions. Instead of giving in to hatred, we should seek forgiveness and reconciliation.
Another example is the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph’s brothers were filled with jealousy and hatred towards him, which led them to sell him into slavery. Despite their actions, Joseph chose to forgive them and showed them love and kindness. This story illustrates the power of forgiveness and the importance of letting go of hatred.
As followers of Christ, we are called to love one another and to live in harmony. When we feel hatred creeping into our hearts, we should turn to prayer and ask God to fill us with His love and peace. Remember, love covers a multitude of sins and brings us closer to God.
Dear friends, now let’s see the Bible scriptures below that talk about hatred towards others.
“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins”
— Proverbs 10:12
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger”
— Proverbs 15:1
“Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord , he shall save thee”
— Proverbs 20:22
“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth”
— Proverbs 24:17
“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto himA proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent bloodAn heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischiefA false witness that speaketh lies, he that soweth discord among brethren”
— Proverbs 6:16-19
“With all lowliness meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love”
— Ephesians 4:2
“Be ye angry, sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrathNeither give place to the devil”
— Ephesians 4:26-27
“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice”
— Ephesians 4:31
“Then came Peter to him, said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, I forgive him? till seven times?Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven”
— Matthew 18:21-22
“The second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”
— Matthew 22:39
“Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgmentBut I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire”
— Matthew 5:21-22
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them which despitefully use you, persecute you”
— Matthew 5:44
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive youBut if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”
— Matthew 6:14-15
“Forbearing one another, forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye”
— Colossians 3:13
“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts pleasures, living in malice envy, hateful, hating one another”
— Titus 3:3
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrathFor the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God”
— James 1:19-20
“If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well”
— James 2:8
“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge”
— James 4:11
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”
— Galatians 5:14
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousnessIdolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresiesEnvyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God”
— Galatians 5:19-21
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted”
— Galatians 6:1
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another”
— Romans 12:10
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all menIf it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all menDearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the LordTherefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his headBe not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good”
— Romans 12:17-21
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law”
— Romans 13:10
“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ”
— Romans 14:10
“He answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy strength, with all thy mind; thy neighbour as thyself”
— Luke 10:27
“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you”
— Luke 6:27
“Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, not suffer sin upon him”
— Leviticus 19:17
“But unto Cain to his offering he had not respect. Cain was very wroth, his countenance fellAnd the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? why is thy countenance fallen?If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. unto thee shall be his desire, thou shalt rule over himAnd Cain talked with Abel his brother: it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, slew him”
— Genesis 4:5-8
“When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses”
— Mark 11:25
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one anotherBy this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”
— John 13:34-35
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you”
— John 15:12
Conclusion
The Bible provides clear guidance on the destructive nature of hatred and the importance of love and forgiveness. Verses such as 1 John 4:20, which states, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar,” emphasize that true love for God is incompatible with hatred towards others. Similarly, Ephesians 4:31-32 calls believers to put away “all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander” and instead be “kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” From these teachings, we learn the importance of cultivating a heart filled with love, compassion, and forgiveness. By applying these principles in our daily lives, we can foster healthier relationships and contribute to a more harmonious and loving community. Let us strive to reflect God’s love in our interactions, overcoming hatred with the power of love and grace.