Hater's Gonna Hate

Jesus said to the crowd: “They will seize and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” Luke 21:12-19

After taking a stand for righteousness with some pastors in a community where I served as pastor, some members of my own congregation opposed me. At one point, I was standing in a church baptistry preparing for the next Sunday’s baptisms, when a man (one of the elders) who was angry with me for speaking truth, came through the doors intending to do me harm. As brilliant sunlight reflected through the stained glassed windows above my head, the power of God stopped him in his tracks. He abruptly turned around with a furrowed brow and went home. The Lord spoke to me, “You will be hated because of me.”

It’s expected to be hated by terrorists and extremist groups, but when we experience hatred among our own families and churches, it can be demoralizing. In today’s “hate” culture, Christians have often been targeted as “haters” merely for taking a stand for Biblical values of upholding Biblical marriage. Rather than face ridicule and being misunderstood and even hated, many have avoided speaking truth altogether in fear of being labeled a “hater.”

In Luke 21:12-19 Jesus message to those who were contemplating following him included persecution. Little did they realize the level of rejection they would face because of his name.

Jesus wanted his disciples to deflect the spirit of rejection, because it was intended for him. When we internalize rejection it not only can damage our soul, but impairs our identity.

Jesus’ promise is that we will not be destroyed. We will be afflicted, but not crushed; perplexed but not despairing, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed (2 Cor. 4:8-9).

A spirit of hatred now exists among many because agreement has been made with a spirit of hatred. Instead of being known for their love for one another, now these “haters hate” anyone who fails to agree with them; and all in the name of their political ideology. The problem is that when we give permission for hatred to live in our hearts, we have moved away from the authentic Gospel of Christ. True followers of Christ will be known by their love. They have long stopped desiring to be accepted and liked by everyone, because they are compelled to speak truth and share the Gospel no matter what the cost. Love is the final fight.

Practice guarding your heart this week from a spirit of hatred. Pay attention to the battle within and ask God to cover and protect your heart. Make a commitment to guard your heart from making any agreement with darkness and hatred. Take hateful thoughts captive and ask forgiveness for hateful speech and rhetoric.

Prayer: Father God, deliver me from a spirit of hatred and help me to love as Christ. Help me deflect the haters who hate, and heal my soul from the damage done. Restore my identity and set me free from a life of hatred to live a life of love.

In Jesus Name, Amen