How is hate considered murder?

The Bible provides a profound and often challenging moral framework. One of the more striking teachings is the equivalence of hate and murder in the eyes of God. This concept, found predominantly in the teachings of Jesus and the letters of the apostles, emphasizes the seriousness of harboring hate in one’s heart. In this article, we will explore how hate is considered murder according to the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, delving into the scriptural basis and the theological implications of this teaching.

The Teachings of Jesus

The Sermon on the Mount

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is one of the most comprehensive expositions of His moral teachings. In this sermon, Jesus redefines and intensifies the understanding of the law, moving beyond external actions to the intentions of the heart.

Murder and Anger:

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:21-22, NKJV)

In this passage, Jesus equates unjust anger and hateful speech with murder. The progression from anger to verbal abuse to condemnation demonstrates how unchecked negative emotions can lead to severe spiritual consequences.

Love Your Enemies

Jesus further emphasizes the importance of love over hate in His radical command to love one’s enemies.

Love Over Hate:

“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, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:43-45, NKJV)

By commanding His followers to love their enemies, Jesus undermines the very foundation of hate. The call to love, bless, do good, and pray for those who are hostile towards us directly opposes the natural inclination to harbor resentment and hatred.

The Teachings of John

Hatred as a Sign of Spiritual Death

The Apostle John, in his epistles, further develops the concept of hatred as a form of murder. John’s writings emphasize the spiritual and communal consequences of harboring hate.

Hatred and Murder:

“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15, NKJV)

John makes an unequivocal statement: hatred towards another person is tantamount to murder. This declaration is rooted in the understanding that both hatred and murder originate from the same sinful nature and lead to spiritual death.

The Example of Cain

John also uses the story of Cain and Abel to illustrate the deadly nature of hate.

Cain and Abel:

“For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.” (1 John 3:11-12, NKJV)

Cain’s murder of Abel was the culmination of his hatred and jealousy. John’s reference to this story highlights how hate can fester and lead to violent actions, reinforcing the idea that harboring hatred is akin to murder.

The Teachings of Paul

The Transformation of the Heart

The Apostle Paul also addresses the destructive nature of hate and the transformative power of love in his letters. Paul’s teachings focus on the inner transformation required of believers to overcome hatred and embody Christ’s love.

Overcoming Evil with Good:

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21, NKJV)

Paul’s exhortation to overcome evil with good directly counters the impulse to hate. By encouraging believers to respond to hostility with kindness, Paul echoes Jesus’ teachings on loving enemies and demonstrates how love can break the cycle of hate.

Love Fulfills the Law

Paul also emphasizes that love is the fulfillment of the law, which inherently precludes hatred.

Love and the Law:

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:8-10, NKJV)

By stating that love does no harm to a neighbor, Paul reinforces the notion that true adherence to God’s commandments is incompatible with hatred.

The Nature of Hate and Its Consequences

Spiritual and Communal Impact

Hatred not only affects the individual harboring it but also has far-reaching implications for the community. The Bible consistently warns against the destructive nature of hate and its potential to disrupt harmony within the body of Christ.

Division and Strife:

“But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” (Galatians 5:15, NKJV)

Paul’s warning to the Galatians underscores the self-destructive nature of communal hatred and strife. The imagery of biting and devouring each other starkly portrays the destructive potential of unchecked animosity.

The Root of Hate

The root of hate, according to the Bible, is sin. Hatred stems from the sinful nature that opposes the fruits of the Spirit.

Works of the Flesh vs. Fruits of the Spirit:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:19-23, NKJV)

Paul lists hatred alongside other sins as works of the flesh that lead to spiritual death, in contrast to the fruits of the Spirit which lead to eternal life.

Practical Implications for Believers

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Believers are called to actively pursue forgiveness and reconciliation, countering hate with love.

Forgiveness:

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32, NKJV)

Forgiveness is a key element in overcoming hatred. By forgiving others as God forgave us, we break the cycle of hate and open the way for reconciliation.

Living in Love

Living in love means embodying Christ’s teachings in everyday actions, fostering a spirit of unity and peace.

Imitating Christ:

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” (Ephesians 5:1-2, NKJV)

Imitating Christ involves walking in love and sacrificing our own desires for the sake of others, which inherently opposes the spirit of hatred.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in transforming hearts and enabling believers to overcome hate.

Transformation by the Spirit:

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NKJV)

The transformative work of the Holy Spirit renews our hearts and minds, helping the Christians to embody love rather than hate. The believer can be both forgiven and washed from this sin if he seeks conversion. For the Lord promised, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NKJV). The Lord requires moral perfection of His children (Matthew 5:48) and has provided all the grace necessary for the believer to overcome (Romans 8:1–4).

Conclusion

The Bible’s teaching that hate is akin to murder underscores the gravity of harboring such negative emotions. Through the teachings of Jesus, John, and Paul, we see a consistent message: hatred is a manifestation of the sinful nature that leads to spiritual death, while love is the fulfillment of the law and the essence of God’s character. Believers are called to reject hatred, pursue forgiveness and reconciliation, and live in the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. By doing so, we align ourselves with God’s will and contribute to a community marked by love, peace, and unity.

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In His service,
BibleAsk Team