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OVERCOMING HATRED (1)

 

Types of Hatred

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    Hate is defined as “ deep, emotional, extreme, dislike.”

 

B.      With the 24-hour news cycle we have, we see hatred manifested many times a day in many different ways.

 

C.     Hate is connected to many other evils:  anger, evil speaking, separation/division, hostility, revenge, and death.

 

D.    Hate is a Biblical topic.

1.      Hate – 16 times in the New Testament

Hated – 13 times in the New Testament

Hating – 2 times in the New Testament

2.      A study of the term can initially cause some confusion.

a.      Hatred is condemned (Lev. 19:17).

 

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart…

 

b.      Solomon, however, reveals that there is “a time to hate” (Eccl. 3:8).

c.       But, hate is listed among the works of the flesh that will keep one out of the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:20).

d.      And, David stated plainly that he hated a certain group of people (Ps. 139:22).

 

I have hated them with a perfect hatred:  I count them mine enemies.

 

E.      Let’s being a study on the topic of hate.  In this lesson, we want to look specifically at “Types of Hatred.”

 

I.                   HURT HATRED

 

A.    This type of hatred develops when another person has deeply wounded us and has never apologized; in fact, he may rejoice in the pain he has caused us.

 

B.      Joseph’s brothers were fearful of this type of hatred coming from their brother after their father died (Gen. 50:15).

 

And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which did unto him.

 

II.                ENEMY HATRED

 

A.    This is a hatred of someone who is in opposition to us in some way.

 

B.      Several aspects the cause this hatred:

1.      It can be due to the harm out enemy has caused us.

2.      It can be from perceived threats and potential harm from the enemy.

3.      It can be learned behavior.  Some children are taught from young ages to hate other people.

 

C.     David, as the king of Israel, had many people who hated him (Ps. 25:19).

 

Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with a cruel hatred.

 

III.             IGNORANT/BLIND HATRED

 

A.    Individuals hate someone or something when they do not know or understand the person or thing.

1.      Some people are truly blind.

2.      Some close their eyes intentionally.

 

B.      This is often the case with prejudice among various groups.

1.      Culture and race

2.      Socio-economic status (ex., Movie:  “The Greatest Game Ever Played)

3.      Religion

4.      NOTE:  Prejudice exists within every country in the world.

 

C.     Blind hatred existed in their first century.

1.      Jews and Gentiles (John 4:9)

2.      Spiritual leaders and “the sinners” (Luke 15:1-2)

 

IV.             LACK OF POSITIVE FEELING HATRED

 

A.    Relationships often start out with very positive feelings.  These positive feelings are said to be “love.”

 

B.      In time, the relationship has troubles and the two people fight and argue.  The positive feelings are replaced by negative feelings.  Now the two people say that they “hate” one another.

 

C.     Example:  Amnon for Tamar (II Sam. 13:15)

 

Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he loved her.  And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.

 

V.                PERVERTED HATRED

 

A.    This is a hatred that takes love and perverts it into hatred.

 

B.      Example:

1.      The minister has the responsibility of rebuking others (II Tim. 4:2).

 

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

2.      Rebuke is a form of love (Rev. 3:19)

 

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten…

 

3.      Those who are rebuked charge the preacher with hate and hate him in return (See Proverbs 9:8).

 

Rebuke not a scorner, lest he hate thee…

 

C.     Additional examples:

1.      When children are disciplined, they will often scream:  “I hate you.”

2.      Ahab’s remark about Micaiah (II Kings 22:8

 

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord:  but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil…

 

VI.             MANIPULATION HATRED

 

A.    This hatred falsely charges another with hatred in order to manipulate the person to do a certain thing or accept a certain belief.

 

B.      Delilah with Samson (Judg. 14:16)

 

And Samson’s wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not.  Thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told me it.

 

1.      Delilah accuses Samson of hating her.

2.      She was trying to manipulate him to tell her the answer to the riddle.

3.      Who was the real person who hated the other?

 

C.     This happens in our society.

1.      Christians take a strong stand against the sin of homosexuality.

2.      They are accused of being haters by those who are homosexuals or who support the homosexual agenda.  They do this to manipulate us into tolerating and accepting their behavior.

3.      Hate is a strong emotion.  Most do not want to be labeled as haters.  Thus, they cave to the pressure of their opponents.

 

VII.          RIGHTEOUS INDIGATION

 

A.    Righteous indignation is a justified hatred within the spiritual realm.

1.      It is a hatred that comes because words, thoughts, ideologies, and individuals oppose God and His Word.

2.      It is here we can apply the words of Solomon found in Ecclesiastes 3:8:  There is “a time to hate.”

 

B.      Several passages:

1.      Psalm 119:104

 

Through thy precepts I get understanding:  therefore I hate every false way.

 

2.      Amos 5:15

 

Hate the evil, and love the good…

 

 

3.      Romans 12:9

 

…Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Hatred comes in many forms.

 

B.      Hatred is used in many ways against others.  It seeks two main ends.

1.      The elevation of self

2.      The destruction of another

 

C.     Any hatred, other than righteous indignation, is not of God.  Thus, we must learn how to overcome this sinful emotion.  We will discuss this in our next lesson.