I broke the title up into "may" and "should" because I'm curious as to whether a Christian is permitted to feel hate and whether a Christian is ever required to feel hate. Ultimate judgment belongs to God, but how are Christians to feel about sinners against others? Sinners against themselves? Violent criminals? The devil? If I see a report on TV about a serial child rapist, how should I feel about that person? I feel like best Christians would find the strength to pity and pray for a person who's committed even that awful of a crime, but is it a sin to hate them?
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May / Should a Christian hate?
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That's how I wanted to interpret the quote from Amos mentioned above. "Hate the sin, love the sinner" has long been one of my favorite Christian sentiments.
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graceandpeace
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We can't always choose how we feel, but we can always choose how to respond to others. Thinking of others in a way that chops them to pieces where you "hate" things they've done or aspects of who they are is not entirely Christian. Jesus often seemed concerned about the motivation behind one's actions, & I don't think fault-finding others can help us to love them.
It's okay to think a person has done something wrong, but that's different than finding things to "hate" about someone else. It's better to keep Jesus's example & teachings as our motivation. Love your neighbor as yourself. Do unto others as you would have them do to you. Etc.
So no, our focus should never be on hate. Our impulse should be to love in word & deed. We all come up short, & we all need forgiveness sometimes. It's something wise to remember.
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So far, the impression I gather from what's being said here is that we should hate cruel and unjust actions, but can still hope and pray for the repentance, reform, and salvation of the people who carried out those actions.
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Katallina
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Well if we're going to look at this from the outside in (i.e. from what the World tells us hate is, into what Jesus says our lives should be about and reflect) it seems like a smart idea to first define hate.
Why is this important? Because within a biblical context, hate can mean two things depending on the word used. In one context, hate is what we tend to associate with it today (which will get a definition below). In the other, a different word is used which means a matter of preference or betterment.
So, here is what Dictionary.com has to say about the standard meaning of hate:
1. verb
One thing I didn't see on dictionary.com, which surprised me, is that it did not seem to associate hate with actions taken toward the hated thing or person, which (to me and my understanding) is what sets hate and dislike apart.
Regardless of that, though, the real question is this: can we follow the teachings of Jesus with hatred in our hearts toward another human being? Or even, necessarily, with hatred toward something they have done? I'm pretty sure "I hate peas." isn't a bad thing all on its own. Nowhere in the Bible do we get "Thou shalt like peas." as a commandment. But think about going for a meal at grandma's house. Think about a little five year old who will not eat those peas. Think about the tantrum he or she throws when mom or dad tries to make him / her eat that hated veggie. And think of the stress that can cause.
Now think of how much more catastrophic that emotional upheaval can get when we are dealing with a real, serious, adult issue like a drunk driver whose behavior lead to the death of a friend. When bad things happen, it can be very hard to live in a way that reflects Jesus, let alone to rise to the situation and receive it the way he would have.
So, (sorry to be cheesy) we need to ask ourselves "What would Jesus do?". I think that by looking at His teachings on anger, judgement and how we treat those who have wronged us that it is easy to get a clear picture that hate is wrong.
But I'm going to take it a step further, pointing out the two key things Christians are suppose to be doing. What are the Greatest Commandments? And what is to be our role in the world?
I am not going to tell you how to take all of the following. Instead, what I would ask you is this: do you genuinely feel that you can follow these direct teachings of Jesus with the spirit of hate resonating within your heart? Or do you think, just maybe, that hatred might hold you back?
One last thing before we get started: if you do reach the conclusion that hatred and the following teachings reject one another, do not despair. We are not suppose to be able to live up to this of our own merit, but rather because of the gift of the Holy Spirit, which will work to refine our actions and thoughts throughout the course of our lives if we are willing to accept what Jesus did for us, repent, and make him Lord of our lives.
First up, anger:
Matthew 5:21-24 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift…”
Next up, judgement of our fellow man:
Matthew 7:1-5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
And lastly, how to treat those we perceive as enemies:
Matthew 5:43-44 …43"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' 44"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.…
These three thoughts, which are all directly from Jesus, tie into two other key things we should be remembering as we strive to become more like him:
1. The Greatest Commandments...
Matthew 26:36-40 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
2. As Christians, what is our impact on the world suppose to be?
Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Why is this important? Because within a biblical context, hate can mean two things depending on the word used. In one context, hate is what we tend to associate with it today (which will get a definition below). In the other, a different word is used which means a matter of preference or betterment.
So, here is what Dictionary.com has to say about the standard meaning of hate:
1. verb
- 1.
feel intense or passionate dislike for (someone).
"the boys hate each other" - noun
- 1.
intense or passionate dislike.
"feelings of hate and revenge"
One thing I didn't see on dictionary.com, which surprised me, is that it did not seem to associate hate with actions taken toward the hated thing or person, which (to me and my understanding) is what sets hate and dislike apart.
Regardless of that, though, the real question is this: can we follow the teachings of Jesus with hatred in our hearts toward another human being? Or even, necessarily, with hatred toward something they have done? I'm pretty sure "I hate peas." isn't a bad thing all on its own. Nowhere in the Bible do we get "Thou shalt like peas." as a commandment. But think about going for a meal at grandma's house. Think about a little five year old who will not eat those peas. Think about the tantrum he or she throws when mom or dad tries to make him / her eat that hated veggie. And think of the stress that can cause.
Now think of how much more catastrophic that emotional upheaval can get when we are dealing with a real, serious, adult issue like a drunk driver whose behavior lead to the death of a friend. When bad things happen, it can be very hard to live in a way that reflects Jesus, let alone to rise to the situation and receive it the way he would have.
So, (sorry to be cheesy) we need to ask ourselves "What would Jesus do?". I think that by looking at His teachings on anger, judgement and how we treat those who have wronged us that it is easy to get a clear picture that hate is wrong.
But I'm going to take it a step further, pointing out the two key things Christians are suppose to be doing. What are the Greatest Commandments? And what is to be our role in the world?
I am not going to tell you how to take all of the following. Instead, what I would ask you is this: do you genuinely feel that you can follow these direct teachings of Jesus with the spirit of hate resonating within your heart? Or do you think, just maybe, that hatred might hold you back?
One last thing before we get started: if you do reach the conclusion that hatred and the following teachings reject one another, do not despair. We are not suppose to be able to live up to this of our own merit, but rather because of the gift of the Holy Spirit, which will work to refine our actions and thoughts throughout the course of our lives if we are willing to accept what Jesus did for us, repent, and make him Lord of our lives.
First up, anger:
Matthew 5:21-24 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift…”
Next up, judgement of our fellow man:
Matthew 7:1-5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
And lastly, how to treat those we perceive as enemies:
Matthew 5:43-44 …43"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' 44"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.…
These three thoughts, which are all directly from Jesus, tie into two other key things we should be remembering as we strive to become more like him:
1. The Greatest Commandments...
Matthew 26:36-40 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
2. As Christians, what is our impact on the world suppose to be?
Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
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In Matthew 5:44-48, Jesus says:
Love Your Enemies
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers,i what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
It is never okay to hate anyone.We can hate the actions that someone does, but not the person him or herself. Why? Because God loves us all, no matter how depraved or wicked we act. God loves our very souls, which He crafted with His own hands, for His glory. To hate another person is to hate God Himself, who created that person. God too hates evil, He HATES evil and will not tolerate it. We too, as followers of Christ, as sons and daughters of the Lord Most High, must also hate evil. Evil begets evil. This is why we are not to repay an evil action with another, because the cycle of evil will continue. However, when we repay evil with love, when we repay evil with kindness, we break the cycle of evil, and in this way, we teach someone about the unending love that their Father God has for them. Again, it is the evil actions that we are to hate, but not the person who has been stuck in a cycle of evil and thus has been deceived into doing evil. Evil is unnatural, it is not of God. However, doing good, this is a reflection of God and this is what we should do.
Love Your Enemies
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers,i what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
It is never okay to hate anyone.We can hate the actions that someone does, but not the person him or herself. Why? Because God loves us all, no matter how depraved or wicked we act. God loves our very souls, which He crafted with His own hands, for His glory. To hate another person is to hate God Himself, who created that person. God too hates evil, He HATES evil and will not tolerate it. We too, as followers of Christ, as sons and daughters of the Lord Most High, must also hate evil. Evil begets evil. This is why we are not to repay an evil action with another, because the cycle of evil will continue. However, when we repay evil with love, when we repay evil with kindness, we break the cycle of evil, and in this way, we teach someone about the unending love that their Father God has for them. Again, it is the evil actions that we are to hate, but not the person who has been stuck in a cycle of evil and thus has been deceived into doing evil. Evil is unnatural, it is not of God. However, doing good, this is a reflection of God and this is what we should do.
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lesliedellow
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As soyeng said, "We should hate the sin, but love the sinner.".
We can't hate racist/Nazi/ISIS etc (very hard to control the emotions), but we are sinners just like them and if we judge and don't forgive them, God won't forgive us. We only seems better because we are not in their color, in that life or situation. Only God alone is good.
We are commanded to hate evil (actions, things), but we have to love all people include our enemies. Love our enemies do not mean join them, we love them as we love our brothers, if they made mistakes, let them know, try out best to save their soul as if they are our children. I was an atheist before and it did take a lot of love from different Christian groups to save me.
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I think "hate the sin, love the sinner" sums my answer up perfectly. I don't think that we are called to hate anybody because we are called to forgive others because Christ forgave us and hate cannot coexist with forgiveness. I think that may Christians forget how far our love should really go. Christ, who was 100% innocent, died on a cross for us, so we should be able to forgive anybody for anything because we are just as guilty and ultimately God will judge all people.
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football5680
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The definition of hate is a passionate dislike and I don't think this would be a sin unless it gets to the point where you are not willing to forgive. If somebody sincerely regrets their actions and asks for our forgiveness then we should be wiling to forgive because we ask God to do the same for us. If we are not willing to forgive in this circumstance then why would we expect God to do the same towards us?
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Another reason that we should forgive is because God is the one who makes wrongs right and punishes for sin.
Romans 12:18-20
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. 20"BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD."
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graceandpeace
Episcopalian
Sure.
Of course I am grieved over cruelty or other evil acts. What I had in mind was more along the lines of fault-finding others or otherwise looking at them through the lens of seeing faults versus through the lens of love.
The "love the sinner, hate the sin" cliche is something that desperately needs to be dropped. It is hurtful to others & it again brings the focus to fault-finding others versus just loving them, as Jesus teaches us to do.
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To see people doing evil and somehow not fault them for doing evil is to live unhinged from reality. Of all people, Christians should be able to face evil, call it what it is , and call for it to stop. First in ourselves , then in others.
Unfortunately, western culture has grown too afraid of calling anything evil, even when faced with video showing ISIS cutting off the heads of innocents, ISIS caging and burning alive captives, and medical professionals matter-of-factly discussing killing a baby in such a way as to make the baby's body parts most useful for experimentation. To see a woman hook up with an old high school flame, leave her husband and children to pursue him, and leave a wake of brokeness behind her and not call it evil and fault her, is insanity in that it is the denial of reality.
I am convinced God's judgment is at the door and it will begin with his Church.
Unfortunately, western culture has grown too afraid of calling anything evil, even when faced with video showing ISIS cutting off the heads of innocents, ISIS caging and burning alive captives, and medical professionals matter-of-factly discussing killing a baby in such a way as to make the baby's body parts most useful for experimentation. To see a woman hook up with an old high school flame, leave her husband and children to pursue him, and leave a wake of brokeness behind her and not call it evil and fault her, is insanity in that it is the denial of reality.
I am convinced God's judgment is at the door and it will begin with his Church.
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