Don’t Harden Your Hearts in Hate

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘(10) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (11) Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (12) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’ (Ephesians 6:10-12)

Since the Israeli-Gazan conflict started in early October, our long-time nemesis Iran has used its proxy forces in Yemen, Syria and Iraq (and likely some specialized forces from Iran itself) to attack both US naval vessels in the Red Sea and Army garrisons in Syria and Iraq. We have to understand that while the Iranians, and all other sources of discontent, are all adversaries in some form or fashion. We do have to guard against these adversaries and be ready to counteract and strike at them, we don’t have to pretend we like them or what they stand for, but we also must guard against the temptation of hating them to the point of having our hearts hardened. 

For example, I do not like the fact people can walk across the border unimpeded, it is illegal and immoral on them to do so.  I do not like hearing reports of American citizens being overlooked and passed over to cater to illegal immigrants. Those who enter illegally into the US need to be deported ASAP.  That said, if an illegal was found on my street, hungry and needing care, would I deny them that care?  No, as there is an immediate need to help them, to give them food, water, and shelter, to share with them God’s love.  Once they were taken care of and their immediate needs met, I would then call US Border Patrol for their arrest afterwards, as I would calling the police toward anyone breaking the law, as I also must love my neighbors and not stand for illegal activities. 

This is not hypocritical or dual-minded; we can go back to Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. The Jews and Samaritans did not get along (very few exchanged Christmas cards with each other back then). But the Samaritan saw the Jew in dire need, and helped him get to a place where he could shelter, heal, and eat. The Samaritan paid for all of this without expectation of payback, and we can surmise, by the Samaritan leaving the Jew with the innkeeper after settling the bill for his care (and agreeing to pay additional fees if necessary), that he and the Jew likely did not keep in touch or socialize after this. I may not like someone’s actions or attitude, and I do not have to act like we are bosom buddies, but I do have to love them and treat them as I would want to be if the roles were reversed.

Do not allow yourself to be hateful against others; a good standard is to HALT when becoming too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired (or H, A, L, or T).  Satan uses these physical and mental states against us; he wants to wear us down.  We get too ‘hangry’, or feel ignored or overwhelmed by events, we need to step back, turn to the Lord and pray, study Scriptures, and share what we are feeling in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  (And perhaps eat a Snickers bar or snap into a Slim Jim if it’s the ‘hangry-ness’ that’s getting to you.) 

We may ‘feel’ but remember facts must be over feelings.  The facts are those who seek to do us harm likely are not followers of Christ.  Obviously, if someone is breaking into your home with a weapon, it is wise to stop the immediate threat with appropriate force; however if there is no dire threat, you can both witness and care for the person while ensuring your and your family’s protection and the enforcement of our laws.   We need to have compassion as well as concern for our own well-being.