The Hate We Hide Within!

As human beings, we are capable of experiencing a wide range of emotions, including love, joy, sadness, anger, and even hate. While some emotions are celebrated and openly expressed, others are considered socially unacceptable and are often hidden deep within us. One such emotion is hate—a strong and deep feeling of hostility toward someone or something. But why do we hide our hate? Is it because we are afraid of being judged or rejected by others? Or is it because we fear confronting and acknowledging the hate within ourselves? Regardless of the reason, the truth is that hate is a destructive force that can harm not only those we direct it toward but also ourselves.

The Bible frequently addresses hatred and its consequences. In Proverbs 10:12, it says, “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” This verse highlights the destructive nature of hate—it causes conflict and division, rather than promoting peace and harmony. Furthermore, 1 John 2:9-11 warns us, “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother or sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to cause them to stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going because the darkness has blinded them.” These verses remind us that hate not only harms others but also blinds us and leads us away from the path of righteousness.

So how can we fight the hate within us? The first step is to recognize it and face it. We need to examine our hearts and identify the sources of our hatred—whether it stems from past hurts, jealousy, or prejudice. We must also understand that hate is a human emotion, but it is not of God. In Colossians 3:8, it says, “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” As followers of Christ, we are called to rid ourselves of all negative emotions, including hatred.

One practical way to fight hate is through forgiveness. The Bible tells us to forgive as we have been forgiven by God (Colossians 3:13). When we choose to forgive, we release the hate weighing us down, freeing ourselves from its destructive power. Additionally, we can counter hate with love. In Luke 6:27, Jesus instructs us to “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” This may be a challenging command, but when we choose to love instead of hate, we break the cycle of violence and hatred and emulate the love of Christ.

In conclusion, the hate we hide inside can be a dangerous force—causing harm not only to others but also to ourselves. As followers of Christ, we must confront and acknowledge our hate and fight it with forgiveness and love. Let us remember 1 John 4:20, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” Let us strive to love one another and reflect God's love, for in doing so, we combat the hate within us.