HOW TO LIVE AMONG HATERS AND YET BE TRULY HAPPY
Luke 6:22 "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. "
The word 'blessed' is the Greek word 'makarios' which means to be supremely blest; fortunate, well off, happy . It is ironic how a seemingly adverse condition can become of so much benefit to a child of God. With men it is impossible but with God all things are possible.
It is because of the inherent blessing in being hated that Jesus said in Matthew 5:43 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"
Believers in Jesus Christ thrive under persecution: oppression is a stimulant for faith to do the extraordinary . The scriptures says in Gen 29: 31 "And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren." Leah was the underdog ,physically challenged daughter of Laban who was despised by her family. The lord compensated her with fruitfulness. Likewise, Jesus promises believers fruitfulness despite persecutions , Mark10:29 says ".... Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first." In the course of time the oppressed are promoted above their oppressors,that's the meaning of the first being the last and the last being the first.
The belligerent shall be stopped by God (Titus 1:10,11 and if they refuse to change it will be wise to part company with them for a while ,the scriptures says in Proverbs 20:19 "He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips." the contentious hater goes about peddling rumors and gossips aimed at sabotaging the efforts of the godly. God hates the activities of gossips, back-bitters and tale-bearers :ironically ,gossip is seen as a virtue from which money can be made in the internet driven modern world,however, there are unbearable consequences to these actions (Rev.3:17).
Nation building is hampered were such activities thrive, churches, businesses, marriages and families are torn apart by the activities of talebearers, it is one of Satan’s weapons. Terrorism thrives under mainstream media fueled by gossips . Gossips shall not escape divine justice, the scriptures says in Matthew 12:36-37 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."
There is no blessing in speaking evil about a person in their absence. The scriptures says in 1peter 3:10" For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:" the word 'guile' is the Greek word 'dolos' which means deceit, subtilty, craftiness. Again Psalm 15:1-3 says " Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour." God does not bless backbiting and any act aimed at ridiculing a child of God.
Habitually praying for persons other than our immediate family is one way to avoid tale-bearing because this requires thinking and speaking good about them .We are to concentrate on their good qualities. It saves you from being a hater (Phil.4:8) and guide your tongue from speaking evil against them (1Pet.2:21-23,3:9,Psalm 30:32) . You can't speak good of a person with a heart full of evil (Matt:12:34) .Keep your mind free from thinking evil against backbiters and talebearers, it will make you a happier person (Ecc. 10:20,Mk 7:21,Psalm19:14) and think of ways to be a blessing to them, after all God allows the sun to shine on them.While showing care beware of their hypocritical flattering (Proverbs.26:25-26) for they bless with their mouth but curse inwardly (Psalm.62:4) . Ignore their evil talks, refuse to be distracted (Ecc.7:21,22) immediately start singing a gospel song in your heart when offended ;place your mind on God’s word and receive instant peace (psalm119:165)
Don't get engaged in an argument with a contentious person, you will loose respect in the process ( Prov.17:14,2Tim.2:24,Prov.26:4) maintain your calmness (Prov.15:1) such arguments are of no value (Prov29:9,9:7-8) persons who engage in such are vulnerable to demonic activities (James3:16) rather seek for ways to end the argument by refusing to be the last person to speak (prov.20:3a,Col.3:13) and wait for a better opportunity to explain to the receptive hearts in humility ( 2tim.2:25,Ga.6:1).As you read this now, receive grace for promotion above your haters in Jesus name.
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