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How Do We Respond to Hate?

There is no question that crimes of hate are on the rise. The FBI began keeping statistics of hate crimes in the early 1990’s. Since then there has been an increase every year with spikes on election years. We know it is happening and it will continue. Hate has been around a long time and has taken on many forms. It will never go away. So, how do we respond to hate? What do we do if we are the targets of hate? How do we deal with the hate that we might feel? God is good, He has given us His wisdom.

“Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head” (Psa. 69:4). You may have felt as he did, but what do you do?  Just as the psalmist did, “But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD” (Psa. 69:13). When hate came to his door, he clung closer to God. It was in Him that he sought refuge. “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven…” (Matt. 5:43-44). We must pray for those that hate us. It elevates us and keeps us out of the mire of retribution. “You who seek God, let your heart revive. For the LORD hears the needy and does not despise His who are prisoners” (Psa. 69:33-34).

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28). This is a hard saying and it is even harder to respond to hate in this way. “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36). God has called us to be everything He is. His most wonderful attributes (mercy, love, compassion, forgiveness) we are to mimic. We are to display them to all, just as He has.

What do we do with our hate when vengeance is all we can think about? When we are consumed by what others have done to us? We are to channel our hate into a productive demonstration of the love of God. “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. ‘But is your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:19-21). God can do what would consume us.

We are called to respond to hate with prayer, love and compassion, being mindful of our own desires of vengeance. That belongs to God. Ours is to do good, just like Him.