CWW Week 35 - Hatred - Day 1
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Devotional: The Hidden Cost of Hatred
Scripture: “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” – 1 John 4:20 (NIV)
Hatred is a strong word—one that many of us might not think applies to our daily lives. We associate it with violent conflict, deep-seated prejudice, or people who live with extreme bitterness. But Scripture calls us to examine our hearts more closely. According to 1 John 4:20, even the smallest seeds of hatred are entirely incompatible with the love of God.
This verse confronts us with a simple but challenging truth: you can’t truly love God if you harbour hatred toward others. That’s a big call. John isn’t writing to non-believers here—he’s speaking to people in the church. People who sing songs, attend church services, and profess to love Jesus. Yet he says if there’s hate in our hearts towards others—especially toward those close to us—our love for God is called into question.
Let’s unpack why this is such a serious issue.
1. Hatred Disconnects Us from God
John doesn’t mince words: hatred makes our claim to love God a lie. This might sound harsh, but it’s meant to wake us up. God is love (1 John 4:8), and those who walk in His ways must also walk in love. If we allow hatred to take root—whether through grudges, bitterness, racism, jealousy, or unforgiveness—we break fellowship not only with others but with God Himself.
The reality is, it’s far easier to claim love for an invisible God than to love the real, flawed people in front of us. But Christianity doesn’t give us that option. Jesus made it clear that our love for others is evidence of our love for Him (John 13:35).
2. Hatred Distorts Our Relationships
Hatred doesn’t have to come in the form of shouting or violence. It often hides itself in silent resentment, passive-aggressive behaviour, or emotional distance. You might smile on the outside but carry coldness in your heart. Over time, these small attitudes corrode relationships, create division in communities, and hinder the work of the Spirit.
In families, churches, and friendships, hatred—if left unchecked—leads to deep fractures. We end up avoiding people, judging them harshly, or delighting in their failures. We start to justify our feelings, forgetting that grace was extended to us even when we were unlovable.
3. Love Is the Antidote
The good news is that love doesn’t just expose hatred—it heals it. Loving others doesn’t mean agreeing with them all the time or ignoring wrong behaviour. It means choosing compassion, forgiveness, and humility even when it’s hard. It means seeing others through the lens of Christ, who died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).
You might say, “But I can’t love that person—they’ve hurt me too much.” And maybe you’re right. On your own strength, it may be impossible. But the love God pours into us through the Holy Spirit enables us to love in supernatural ways. It’s not a feeling—it’s a choice to act with mercy, patience, and honour, even when it’s undeserved.
Let’s not deceive ourselves by thinking hatred can quietly coexist with holiness. If we truly love God, we must reflect that love to the people around us—even the difficult ones.
Reflection Questions
- Is there someone in your life right now you struggle to love? What feelings come up when you think about them?
- In what ways might you be justifying hatred in your heart under the guise of “boundaries” or “being right”?
- How can you begin to show Christlike love to someone you find hard to forgive? What step can you take this week?
Prayer
Dear Lord, Papa God,
Thank You for loving me even when I’ve fallen short. You see every part of my heart, and yet You still call me Your child. I confess that there are people I find hard to love—those who have hurt me, misunderstood me, or disappointed me. I ask that You reveal any hidden hatred or resentment in my heart and replace it with Your love. Teach me to see others the way You see them. Help me to forgive, to be kind, and to walk in humility. I want my love for You to be real—and I know that means learning to love others genuinely.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Have a great day today with Jesus.
Graham Hood.
