If we sincerely desire to know the Lord, pressing on to know him (Hosea 6:3), we will learn that God is love (1 John 4:16). When the Holy Spirit controls our heart, love will be is evident in our attitudes and actions.
Galatians 5:19-21 lists demons Jesus orders to flee—including hostility, quarreling, outbursts of anger, dissension, and division—all manifestations of hatred. Verses 22 and 23 lists the heavenly habits of the heart—the first one being sacrificial love; and including peace, patience, kindness, and gentleness-
characterizing people who live in the Highlands of Grace.
The great love chapter in the Bible (1 Corinthians 13) describes love as the antidote to the deadly poisons of pride, irritation, rudeness, jealousy, arrogance, selfishness, resentment, doubt, despair, disenchantment, discouragement, disillusionment, and childishness.
Hate breeds hate. Violence fuels violence. Revenge perpetuates revenge. Anger intensifies anger. Dr. King was right—only light can drive out darkness; only love can drive out hate.
“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NLT)
Johnny R. Almond
Interim Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church; Fredericksburg, Virginia
Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/
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