Category: Spirituality and Truth

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “hate” is defined as intense hostility and aversion, usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury. If  Jesus boiled down the 10 commandments to two laws, which were “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself,” how can we find it OK to disobey?

If we ever find an excuse to justify hating on another, especially someone who is innocent of the attack, we directly refuse the teaching of Jesus Christ.

Welcome to part 4 of the Going By Faith series “Uncovering Sin and Finding Forgiveness.” For last week’s confession on cowardice, click here.

How it works: First pray with the Bible verse and then read the questions one by one — answer them truthfully. This is between you and God.

Every “yes” answer means sin in your life, so spend time confessing it. Name it to God. Let there be no excuse for it — just admit it and ask forgiveness.

PRAY

Verse: John 13:35 (NLV)

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

CONFESS

• Are you secretly pleased over the misfortunes of others?
• Are you secretly annoyed over the accomplishments or advancements of another?
• Are you guilty of any contention or strife?
• Do you quarrel, argue, or engage in heated discussions?
• Are you a partaker in any division or parting spirit?
• Are there people whom you deliberately slight?

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We already know that whatever is in our hearts determines what we say (Matt 12:34), so take it a step further and question the secret thoughts that no one hears. They are still things we say, just not aloud.

Luke 5:45 tells us:

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

It doesn’t matter what others do or how others act, let’s leave nothing undone on our part. We’re not perfect, and we need God’s Holy Spirit to help us turn the tide of negative thoughts, feelings and words, but hating on other people is sin at work displayed for all to see. We know it’s not the right way.

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Most of us don’t think of ourselves as haters, but most of us also turn a blind eye to activities we enjoy — especially when it comes to hearing about the misfortune of others.

While there’s a clear difference between spreading malicious gossip and listening to the latest news, it’s how we process the information that matters.

If you feel put off by it, you already realize the destruction it causes enough to stay away. But if you find yourself encouraging it… enjoying it… that’s a whole different issue.

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• Have you robbed God by withholding his due of time, talents and money?
• Have you given less than a tenth of your income for God’s work?
• Have you failed to support mission work either in prayer or in offerings?

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It sounds strange to ask if we’ve robbed God of what he gives us, but the deep truth is that God provides everything to us and we will show if we can be trusted with it. We have all met people who are happy to take. Are they just as happy to give? Are we this way?

Or how about giving on “my terms.” We want to give what we no longer need or want to whom we choose. Do we disregard what God’s asking us to do… and to do joyfully?

God tells us what he wants for us. He lets us know where we can help, especially when we pray about it. Perhaps we are called to give more of our personal time to serving others. Maybe it’s donating to a special charity, a Christian radio station, a friend or family member in need.

While we confess greed in our lives, we can combat it by giving. The most important element is giving God’s way, which he tells us in our hearts.

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Verse: Acts 20:35 (NIV)

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

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When we worship the things of the world, we do not worship the Lord. We can’t serve two masters. In our worship of the world, we end up making choices that hurt others… and ourselves.

“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.” — Colossians 3:5

Welcome to part 5 of the Going By Faith series “Uncovering Sin and Finding Forgiveness.” For last week’s confession on hate, click here.

If you want to confess greed in your life, first pray with the Bible verse below. Then, read the questions one by one — answer them truthfully. Confess other areas of your life that are controlled by greed instead of God. Be honest — this is between you and Him.

Every “yes” answer means sin in your life. Name it to God. Let there be no excuse for it — just admit it and ask forgiveness.

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Greed leads to a lonely place. I know because for a short time in my life, I lived there.

And it’s a cruel master when you become its slave. Nothing is ever enough. Nothing can satisfy. Worse yet, it deceives us into thinking we will run out  of the very thing that often keeps us locked in its grasp.

The Bible warns us about greed repeatedly. Luke 12:15 tells us, “Then he said, ‘Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.’”

When does the Bible ever tell us to beware of something without good cause?

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