OVERCOMING
HATRED
INTRODUCTION:
1. Hatred is an inward expression, that manifests itself in acts of outward expression.
2. Learn a lesson from the hawk:
A. When attacked, hawks do not counter-attack.
B. The fly in wider, higher circles until the attacker can not follow.
C. We can not retaliate without belittling ourselves.
D. Be sure you are the hawk; not the other birds.
A. God hates sin. Proverbs 6:16-19; Psalms 45:7; Hebrews 1:9
B. God loves sinners. John 3:16; Romans 5:8-9; Titus 3:3-5
C. God wants us to hate sin. Revelations 2:6
D. We must be careful. We should not transfer the hate from the sin to the sinner.
1. Sin separates us from God. Is. 59:2
2. The wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23
3. Jesus died because of our sin. 2 Corinthians 5:21
4. We must hate sin. Romans 12:9
2. The Nature of Hate.
A. Characteristic of the unregenerate heart Titus 3:3-5
B. Work of the flesh Galatians 5:19-21
C. An evidence of immaturity Matthew 5:43-48
D. Cruel John 15:18-25
E. Foolish Proverbs 10:18
3. Hate Leads to Many Other Evils.
A. Stirs up trouble Genesis 37:4-8
B. Hate and envy feed on each other Ezekiel 35:11
C. Hatred leads to murder 1 John 3:10-13
D. Hate causes bitterness Romans 12:14; 17-21
E. The devil says, "Revenge is sweet."
F. When you seek revenge, the devil is in control of your life.
4. Consequences of Hate.
A. Robs you of happiness
B. Hate makes you a slave
C. Hate harms your physical body
D. Hate will keep you out of heaven
5. Love Cures Hate.
A. Love is the mark of a disciple John 13:35
B. It is commanded John 15:12
C. Love is to be maintained 1 Peter 4:8
D. Love prevents stumbling 1 John 2:10
E. Love shows sonship 1 John 3:10
F. Love is the mark of a true convert 1 John 3:14
G. You can not love God and hate your brother 1 John 4:20
H. We are to love as:
1. The Lord loved us. John 13:34
2. Ourselves. Matthew 22:39
3. With a pure heart. 1 Peter 1:22-23
4. In deed and not in word only. 1 John 3:18
6. Overcoming Hatred.
A. Pray for the one hated. Matthew 5:44
B. Do a good deed for the hated one.
C. Make every effort to understand the disliked one.
D. Charles Lamb said, "Don't introduce me to that man. I want to go on hating him. I can't hate a man that I know."
Booker T. Washington said, "I will not let any man reduce my soul to the level of hatred."
Proverbs 15:17 – Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.