DO YOU HATE YOUR BROTHER?

In his first letter, the Apostle John often refers to neglect of our brother’s physical and material needs as evidence that we do not have God’s love in us. We cannot, therefore, be God’s children if we have no love for a needy brother, since only the Holy Spirit in us can pour God’s love into our hearts.

1 John 2:9 NLT
[9] “If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness.”

However, what do we mean by “hatred”? Hatred seems a strong word to describe neglect of a fellow-believer’s needs. In the Hebrew language, there is no word for “more” than or “less”. Jesus used the same word “hate” to explain to His disciples that our love for Him must be more than our love for our parents and family members.

Luke 14:26 NLT
[26] “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.”

So, to hate a Christian brother in essence means to think less and care less about him than we do about ourselves. This attitude touches on the core struggle every believer in Jesus endures throughout our lives, the struggle against the selfishness of our old nature.

Paul sounds a warning against the ravages of the flesh in almost all of his letters. It’s a moment-by-moment war that we must take seriously if we are to receive the crown of righteousness we anticipate at the end of our journey.

This battle is much more than a skirmish here and there.

Galatians 5:17 NLT
[17] “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.”

How does this battle play out? The deeds of the flesh are all directed towards self, satisfying selfish desires, or promoting self in one way or another.

Elevating ourselves above others leads us to” hate” those who need our help, whatever that need might be.

We can only gain victory over the flesh by recognising its ruthless demands, humbly submitting to the Holy Spirit’s leading, putting to death the deeds of the flesh through the Spirit’s power in us,

Romans 8:5-6 NLT
[5] “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. [6] So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace….
[12] Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. [13] For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.”

…and by heeding Paul’s instructions to follow Christ’s example.

Philippians 2:1-4 NLT
[1] “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? [2] Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. [3] Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. [4] Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

Dealing with the persistent demands of the flesh boils down to one thing. Say an emphatic “NO!” to the flesh and mean it. The Holy Spirit will empower us to carry out our resolve and, with it, the decision to “love” by doing something practical for another.

Only those who have the Spirit in them through their faith in Jesus can overcome their old sinful nature. They can grow in grace and love. They can increase in their love and concern for others. It’s a lifetime of warring against the flesh and losing and winning until winning gains the upper hand…

… And, in the mix, is our Advocate, the Lord Jesus, who won the war for us so that we can win the battles we face daily.

Hebrews 2:18 NLT
[18] “Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.”

Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT
[14] “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. [15] This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testing we do, yet he did not sin. [16] So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

So, dear reader, never lose heart in your battle against the flesh. Press on in your resolve to pay it forward as much and as often as you can. You have an Advocate for you and an Advocate in you that guarantee your final victory.

Thankfully, God has not abandoned us or thrown us to the wolves in our battle against the flesh. He has not said, “This is how it is. Get on with it!”
Instead, He has provided every resource we need to be real overcomers.

2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT
[3] “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvellous glory and excellence. [4] And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”

It’s up to us to join hands with Him through His Spirit and to truly love one another as He has loved us.