“He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.” (1 John 2:9)
Hatred is a strong word. Most of us are rarely willing to admit hatred. But where there is a desire for another’s demise; where we would inwardly rejoice if told they were dead, there is hatred. When their presence angers us and we don’t want to be around them, there is hatred.
Hatred is a form of murder. To curse someone and wish judgment upon them is hatred. We cannot hate another and be in the light. We cannot hate someone and have fellowship with God.
Hatred is darkness. God is light and love and in Him there is no darkness or hatred. To have fellowship with God is to walk in love toward each other. In such a fellowship with God, we don’t curse, we bless, even when we are being cursed. We don’t hate, we love, even when we are hated.
Hatred is subtle and selective. It attaches to that one person who has grievously wronged us. It would excise them from our life for good. It would rejoice to never see them again. It would damn them.
No matter how else we would think to demonstrate that we are of the truth and walking in the fellowship of God, if we walk in any manner of secret hatred toward anyone, we deceive ourselves.
“He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.” (Proverbs 26:24-26)