Sunday, June 4, 2006 am
A STUDY OF THE TONGUE 6
Sins of Hatred
Today, we continue our study of the tongue. Thus far we have noted three categories of sins – gossip, blasphemy, and dishonesty (lying). Here we notice a fourth category, sins of hatred. These are things we say because we have hatred in our hearts toward others, be it our enemies, neighbors, society in general, or even our brethren. As with each of the other categories, these things are serious and there are things we need to take a close look at in our lives.
I. What is Hatred?
a.
Hate is defined, “intense hostility or aversion,
usually deriving from fear, anger or sense of injury. Extreme dislike or
antipathy.” Hatred is “2. Prejudiced hostility or animosity.” Webster’s
Collegiate Dictionary
The Tyndale Bible Dictionary defines the word as, “Intense feeling of
aversion or enmity, which could prompt a person to loathe someone or something,
or even to seek revenge for having been wronged.”
W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary describes the word as, “used especially
(a) of malicious and unjustifiable feelings toward others, whether towards the
innocent or by mutual animosity.”
The word is generally used in two different ways in the N.T. It can mean 1) to
love less (Matt. 6:24, Luke 14:26), and 2) the term as we are examining it here.
It is a STRONG word that usually leads to action. When we properly channel our
hatred, much good can be accomplished.
b. Hatred is dealt with extensively in the Bible.
i.
It is a legitimate emotion given by God.
There are many things we ought to hate – Psalm 119:104 (every false way), 163
(lying), 97:10 (hate evil), 139:21-22 (those who hate the Lord).
God hates – Deut. 16:22 (idolatry), Prov. 6:16-19 (7 things God hates & abhors),
Psalm 5:5 (workers of iniquity)
ii.
When abused: It is a work of the flesh – Gal. 5:20
Equated with murder – 1 John 3:15
iii.
It is a trait found frequently with the wicked and OUR
enemies - A trait of the wicked – Prov. 29:10, Rom. 1:30, John 7:7 – the wicked
hated Christ, 15:18, etc.
We will be hated by the world – Matt. 10:22, 1 John 3;13, John 3:20 – they also
hate the light.
iv. It can make our lives miserable – Prov. 15:17, “Better is a dinner of herbs where there is love, than a fatted calf with hatred.”
v.
There are many examples of hatred in the Bible
Cain (Gen. 4:5,8), Esau (Gen. 27:41), Ahab (1 Kings 22:8), Herodias hated John
the Baptist (Matt. 14:3, 8)
vi. Prov. 26:28 tells us, “A lying tongue HATES those who are crushed by it. And a flattering mouth works ruin.” Often hatred is associated with the sins discussed thus far – Gossip, blasphemy and lies.
c. It is the OPPOSITE of the Christian love we are to demonstrate.
i. We are to love God – Matthew 22:37-39
ii. We are NOT to hate our brethren - 1 John 4:20, 1 John 2:9-11. NOTE the strong words
iii. We are not even to hate our enemies (Matthew 5:43)
d.
We see the product of hate today in our society.
First, it is just present as people deal with those whom they disagree with.
For many life is not just about dialogue, but rather the goal to CRUSH and
destroy those who dare to question you.
There is also extreme religious hatred in the world – Some Muslims hate Jews &
Christians, etc. Sometimes, we also find it the other way around as well,
though it should NOT be.
And it has always been so – recall the hatred of the Jews against the Samaritans
(Luke 9:51-56). Think about how far back this hatred goes – generations and
even centuries. Why? It is a testament to why Christians need to watch their
tongues in matters of hatred.
e. Other than reviling that which is evil, we need to overcome hatred so that it doesn’t rule our lives. When we harbor sinful hatred, it will probably come out in our conversations, which is why it must be considered in the sins of the tongue.
II. Sins of hatred with the tongue
a. Slander – the word slander is defined as, “1. The utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another’s reputation. 2. A false and defamatory oral statement about a person.” (Webster)
i.
In the Bible there are several Greek words that are
translated in various versions as slander. Together, we can glean an
understanding of what is involved.
One of the main words (katalaleo) means, “to speak against, often involves
speaking evil of” (Louw & Nida, 33.387). Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible
Dictionary defines the word as, “evil, malicious talk intended to damage or
destroy another person.”
ii.
Another Greek word is the word from which we derive
the word devil (diablos). It is certainly associated with slander. Thayer
defines the word as, “prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely.”
And no wonder, he is the ultimate slanderer (false accuser).
Consider his accusations against Job – Job 1:9-11, 2:1-5. Understand that Satan
does NOT love you – in fact, he HATES you, which is why he will slander you.
The word devil is translated slander in at least 3 texts, 1 Timothy 3:11 (the
wives of elders & deacons), 2 Timothy 3:3 (a trait of the selfish), Titus 2:3
(older women are not to be slanderers).
iii. The third word is the word blaspheme, which we addressed last week. It too is also occasionally described as slander (Matthew 15:19, Romans 3:8, etc)
iv.
Together, these words (and a few others) demonstrate
how one who slanders often does so out of hatred. When one slanders, they
often want to destroy those whom they speak against, or else make the
miserable.
I am reminded of the way Paul was slandered by his enemies – Romans 3:8, cf. 2
Corinthians 10:10
1 Corinthians 10:30 – Paul was “evil spoken of” (blasphemed). NASU –
“slandered”
I am also reminded of the way Jesus was accused by His enemies – on occasions,
He was accused of casting out demons by authority of Beelzebub (Matthew 12:24);
He was accused of blasphemy continually (without investigation). Matthew
11:18-19 – He was called a winebibber and glutton.
At His “trial” (of so it is called), they sought false witnesses, etc. Their
hatred for Jesus was seen in their words throughout that day that led to His
murder.
v. How often today, do we find those who out of hatred set out to destroy others? With malice (evil, wickedness) they distort the truth, reveal private matters, sometimes lie, or levy false charges. The Bible CLEARLY condemns such – see – 1 Corinthians 5:8, 14:20 – “in malice be babes”, Ephesians 4:31, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”
b.
Hateful
speech – sometimes we say things to others (or about others) knowing full well
that they will hurt their feelings. Sometimes we knowingly insult others.
Sometimes we are simply careless with our words – but out statements are still
hateful and we KNOW BETTER!
The word is only used once in the NT (Titus 3:3 where it describes the way we
USED to be). But the character of Christians is that we ought not be hateful in
anything. The Christian disposition is one of kindness (1 Corinthians 13:4-5 –
it is king and does not behave rudely).
Ephesians 4:32 calls for us to be kind and tenderhearted to one
another.
c.
Biting and
devouring one another – Often
times, the product of hatred. Also known as backbiting (2
Corinthians 12:20, 1 Peter 2:1). The word “biting” actually means the way
we bite with our teeth. The word “devouring” literally means to consume
or squander (Thayer). The phrase is used only in Galatians 5:15. Obviously,
Paul is being metaphorical noting that in their words and actions they were
destroying each other. He notes that such is UNACCEPTABLE.
When one acts either out of hatred, or in a hateful manner it often results in
retaliation or the determination to “get even”, etc. The result is a
“free-for-all” of words. Sometimes the parties will stop at nothing to “expose”
and destroy their supposed enemy.
We see it all the time in political campaigns. And when we do, it becomes
sickening causing many to want nothing to do with the election.
BUT, DO WE EVER see it among brethren? Sadly, sometimes disagreements
deteriorate into character attacks and the determination to win at ANY COST. I
have known of congregations wherein brethren were BITTERLY divided. I have also
known of preachers and preacher-magazines where writers attacked each other with
pure malice. As James said in 3:10, “my brethren, these things OUGHT NOT BE
SO!”
Prov. 26:24-26 says, “He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up
deceit within himself; When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are
seven abominations in his heart; Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His
wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.”
III. Dealing with sins of hatred
a. Again, realize the damage such attitudes and actions can cause. In addition to the personal hurt that will be inevitably be felt by both sides, it often leads to bitter divisions that do nothing but damage the Lord’s cause. Remember Proverbs 10:12 – “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.”
b. Realize how God feels about such conduct. Consider what He says about the one who hates his brother – 1 John 4:20, etc.
c. If you are guilty, REPENT. IF we are to grow, we have to put them away- 1 Peter 2:1-2 says, “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,”
d. Develop a proper perspective about life – things don’t always go your way, not everyone has godly motives in their lives (don’t it cause you to sin). Also understand that hatred will make YOU miserable as you live your life.
e. Learn to love – it will overcome hatred. James 5:20 says that love will cover a multitude of sins.
f. Finally, before you speak in wrath or hatred; before you retaliate at what someone else says, before you proceed to insult your brother, memorize Matthew 7:12 – the golden rule. Learn to treat others the way you want to be treated and say only the types of things about others you would want said about you IN THE SAME SITUATION!
Truly, we need to avoid the attitude of hate and the sins that will inevitably follow it. If we would approach every conversation with a proper attitude, we could prevent many heartaches and do great progress for the Lord’s cause. Think about it.