Together in Christ: 'Erasing Hate with Love' — Proverbs 10:12

Monday, January 15, 2024

Your Support Matters!

Your donations are vital to help us keep the light shining.

 Donate Now

Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.

— Proverbs 10:12 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus made today's Scripture clearer and even more powerful for us:

"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven."  [1]

No matter how impossible this principle feels, loving those who hate us is the Lord's powerful "eraser-of-evil." This eraser has power to heal division, [2] dissolve hatred, [3] and release the heart of a disciple to live in the power of the Spirit. [4]

Thankfully, God demonstrated His "eraser-of-evil" principle to us when He sent Jesus to die for us and save us. God did this while we were "powerless," "ungodly," "sinners," and "enemies" of God. [5] In other words, God has already shown His love for His enemies by sending Jesus! God then gave us the power to follow His example since His "love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. [6] So, as impossible as this principle of love seems, let's commit to trusting in the Spirit's power as the Spirit transforms us to be more and more like Jesus. By the Spirit's power, we can return good for evil, blessing for cursing, and love for hate. [7] We cannot control what people do to us or say about us or to us, but we can ask the Spirit to guide our responses and reflect the grace and transforming love of Jesus in all of our relationships!

[1] Matthew 5:43-48.
[2] Proverbs 15:1, 4, 17:9.
[3] Colossians 3:14-15.
[4] Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 5:15-21.
[5] Romans 5:6-11 NIV.
[6] Romans 5:5 NIV.
[7] Romans 12:14; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:8-9.

Today's Prayer

O, Father, loving my enemies and returning love when others are hateful to me and even hate me seems too hard for me to do. My flesh, selfishness, and self-defensiveness push back, my anger rises, and I want to "get even" and "get back" at the other person. Please, dear Lord, forgive me. Cleanse my heart of all spite, hatred, and malice toward others. Fill me, Holy Spirit, and cleanse me. Reanimate my spirit and conform me to my Savior so I can love with Your redeeming and transformative love. In Jesus' name, I beg for this grace and power to be genuine in me. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Colossians 3:12-15
  • Proverbs 15:1; 1 Peter 3:8-12

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, January 15, 2024

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'New Birth and New Life' (Ti. 3:4-7)
"When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our....."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Protects From Traps & Diseases' (Ps. 91:3-4)
"The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'You Have Rescued Me' (Ps. 13:5)
"But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Psalm 96:5
"For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens."

Illustration

Illustration of Proverbs 10:12 NLT — Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Together in Christ