What Hate Means in The Bible

“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”

— 1 John 3:15

DEVO

You might think you don’t hate anyone. Most people would say the same.
But Scripture defines hate differently than we do. God doesn’t only look at outward violence or obvious cruelty—He searches the heart.

Hate isn’t just rage. It’s coldness, rejection, bitterness, unforgiveness, or even a refusal to care about someone God has placed in your life.

When you push someone away in your heart, when you rejoice at their fall, when you harbor silent disgust, you’re walking close to a line the Bible doesn’t blur:

“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer…”

That’s not poetic language. That’s spiritual truth.
God is love. So where His Spirit is, hate cannot thrive.
And if it does? That’s your signal to get on your knees, not to justify your feelings.

💡 WHAT DOES HATE LOOK LIKE?

• Ignoring someone you once loved, just to punish them

• Wishing they’d fall apart so you feel vindicated

• Replaying an old wound instead of releasing it to God

• Speaking sweetly to their face but tearing them apart in your mind

• Withholding grace you freely receive from Jesus

God doesn’t define hate by the shouting—it’s often the silent poison that slowly deadens your heart.

✝️ GOD'S CALL TO YOU

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you…”
— Matthew 5:43–44 (NKJV)

This is impossible without Him. But with the Holy Spirit, you’re not just called to avoid hate—you’re empowered to overcome it with love.

Loving someone doesn’t mean you let them abuse you or pretend everything’s fine.
It means you choose to forgive, to pray for them, and to stop letting bitterness rule your heart.

🔍 INTROSPECTIVE QUESTIONS:

1. Is there anyone I’ve “cut off” emotionally out of pain or pride?

2. In what ways have I allowed bitterness to grow instead of asking God to heal it?

3. When do I quietly celebrate when someone who hurt me fails or falls?

4. Would I be willing to pray blessing over someone I’ve been avoiding?

5. Is there any part of me God is convicting right now to confess and surrender?

🎯 GOAL FOR TODAY:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any hidden hate or resentment in your heart. Don’t excuse it—expose it. Write that name down, and pray for them. Even just one sentence. That is how healing begins.

🙏 PRAYER:

Abba Father, search my heart and show me where I’ve harbored hate, even in subtle or quiet ways. I don’t want to carry anything You didn’t give me. Help me forgive—not because they deserve it, but because You forgave me and that is what You tell me to do. Uproot bitterness, melt pride, and fill me with the love of Christ that keeps no record of wrongs. I choose to bless instead of curse. In Jesus’ name, amen.