Hatred Blinds

Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus. John 12:9-11 (NKJV)

Hatred makes people blind and interferes with their ability to reason and think logically. When people are ruled by emotion, it causes them some serious problems. You’ve probably heard of the term blind rage, for example.

The Pharisees were plotting to kill Jesus, but they also wanted to kill Lazarus. Why did they always come against Jesus so strongly? They opposed Him because He exposed their hypocrisy and sin, and they felt threatened. The root issue is that they had no desire for the things of God or for God Himself. There were a few exceptions to this, but for the most part, the Pharisees were self-seeking, greedy men. They used their positions as religious leaders to acquire money, power, and prestige. It was never about God or His Word- it was all about them keeping their positions and what those positions provided for them. And when Jesus dared to point it out, they became enraged and angry. They hated Jesus simply because He told the truth. And the truth was showing them for the liars and frauds that they were.

The hatred, and the anger and rage it produced, affected the judgment of the Pharisees and other religious leaders. I don’t know if they planned to kill Jesus first, then kill Lazarus, or what their exact plans were. However, it amuses me that they were plotting to kill Lazarus, a man who had already been raised from the dead! Consider the public humiliation they would have experienced if they had murdered Lazarus, only to potentially see him resurrected again.

Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers and overwhelms all transgressions [forgiving and overlooking another’s faults]. Proverbs 10:12 (Amplified Bible, AMP)

Hatred, which produces some violent emotions, can cause people to act irrationally and without common sense. The only force that overcomes and conquers hatred is love. Love affects both the person who hates and the one who is being hated. The one who hates may be gradually worn down when he is continually repaid good for evil. It may eventually draw Him to the Lord. The one who is being hated is impacted because he must view the person coming against him through the lens of God’s love and extend forgiveness. This prevents bitterness and hatred from entering in that person’s heart.

Love, which is a fruit of the Spirit, makes us act more like the Lord and less like carnal men. It is the most powerful force in existence. It can conquer all things because God Himself is love (I John 4:8), and He can conquer all things. The love of God was shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit and we can tap into it through the Spirit. When we pray in the Holy Spirit, we draw up from our spirits the love and other powerful things that have been deposited there by the Lord. Hatred blinds, but love brings perfect sight, so choose to operate in love. As you do, you will experience victory more and more.