CWW Week 30 - Hatred - Day 3
|
Scripture Focus
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
— Proverbs 10:12 (NIV)
Devotion
Conflict is something we all face. Whether it’s a family argument, tension at work, or friction in the church, disagreement is part of life. But what fuels conflict, and what helps to ease it?
Proverbs 10:12 gives us a powerful insight:
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
In just a few words, this verse draws a clear contrast. Hate makes things worse—love brings healing.
Hate is a strong word, but it doesn’t always show up in obvious ways. Sometimes it’s loud and aggressive, but often it’s quiet: silent resentment, bitterness, a cold shoulder. It can even look like apathy or sarcasm. The truth is, hate often wears a disguise—and when it does, it still causes damage.
According to this proverb, hatred stirs things up. It brings conflict, division, and unrest. When we harbour bitterness or refuse to forgive, we tend to escalate problems rather than resolve them. We repeat wrongs, dwell on offences, and speak words that fuel division. Hate keeps the fire going.
But love does something different. Love “covers over all wrongs.” That doesn’t mean ignoring justice or sweeping issues under the rug. Instead, it means choosing grace. Love chooses to forgive. Love chooses peace. Love seeks to repair what’s broken rather than inflame what’s already hurting.
This is a challenge in everyday Aussie life. We’re a culture that values fairness and straight talking, but we can also be quick to react or “hold a grudge.” The Aussie expression “No worries” doesn’t always match what’s going on inside our hearts.
So how do we practise the kind of love Proverbs speaks of? It starts with humility. It begins when we remember how much we ourselves have been forgiven by God. If Jesus chose to cover our wrongs with His love and sacrifice, then we’re called to do the same for others.
Love doesn’t make excuses—it makes peace.
It doesn’t pretend that hurt never happened, but it chooses not to let that hurt control the relationship. That’s powerful.
Are you in a season where hate has stirred up conflict in your life? Maybe it’s a feud that’s lasted too long, or a wound that’s been left open. Maybe it’s not even between you and someone else—but something you’ve watched unfold in your family or church.
Ask yourself: What role is love playing in this situation? Am I letting bitterness rule, or am I allowing God’s love to guide my response?
This proverb reminds us that we always have a choice—to stir up conflict or to cover wrongs in love. One path leads to division; the other leads to peace.
Jesus calls us to be peacemakers. Not peacekeepers who avoid confrontation, but active agents of peace who seek restoration. That starts in the heart and shows in our words, actions, and relationships.
Reflection Questions
- Is there a situation or relationship in my life where hate or resentment is stirring up conflict?
What would it look like to respond with love instead? - Have I been holding onto a wrong that needs to be covered with forgiveness?
What’s stopping me from letting it go? - How does understanding God’s forgiveness toward me help me forgive others more freely?
Prayer
Dear Lord, Papa God,
Thank You for loving me even when I didn’t deserve it. Thank You for covering my wrongs with Your grace through Jesus. You know the places in my life where conflict and resentment have taken root. I bring them to You now.
Please help me to let go of hate, pride, and bitterness. Fill me with Your love so that I can respond with grace, even when it’s hard. Show me how to be a peacemaker—to choose love that covers, not conflict that divides. Change my heart, Lord, and make me more like You.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Have a great day today with Jesus.
Graham Hood.
Church Without Walls.
