Proverbs 29:10 “The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.”
Today’s verse is a reminder of something that we see quite often. Perhaps on a daily basis while living in this sin-cursed world during these last days we are often shown such hate for what seems to be no reason at all. This can sometimes cause us to be hurt, or upset, or downright angry and end up being hateful right back toward the ones who show hate toward us! Some, may feel rejection because those who hate them, are the very ones they love so dearly such as family members and friends. This may cause some of us to cry out to God “Why!?” We may begin trying to figure out ways to *not* be hated by them, or we may begin listening to the enemy who whispers lies to us that we are just terrible people not worthy of anything but to be hated. Yet the Lord would have us react differently!
In today’s verse we are reminded that this *will* happen to us if we are to walk upright! Jesus also mentions in John 15:18-21 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.”
And in 1 John 3:13 “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” Yet directly after this verse we are given a bit of an encouragement to go along with this, to point our eyes in the right direction: (verse 14) “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”
When we are hated for the name of the Lord’s sake and because we run not after wickedness and sin like the rest of the world (we who are in Christ, that is), we need to take our eyes off the fact that we are hated, and look at the reality that we are LOVED by those who are truly in Christ! As today’s verse begins with the fact that the bloodthirsty hate the upright, it immediately reminds us that the just, will seek the upright’s soul! The just, will seek us to love and see that we are cared for in life!
If anyone understands what it is like to be hated for being upright, it is Jesus first and foremost! He created us. He left the throne of heaven, to put on the flesh of man, to save us. Yet when He came and He walked with mankind, they did nothing but show Him hate! You might say, “He had friends and those who loved Him!” Did He truly have one He could rely on? As evident in John 2:24, He didn’t rely on any man because He knew what was in man and that we are fickle…and in His darkest time of need, everyone left Him. John 1 speaks of how He created us, and yet was rejected by the very ones He both created and came to save. Jesus knows what it is like to be hated! Therefore we should not complain or want to give up because we are hated as well, nor should be find it shocking!
Instead, consider who it is that hates us and why they hate us, and take consolation in reality! Today’s verse reminds us that the *bloodthirsty* hate us who are upright! Jesus says in John 3, that those who love darkness will hate the light (and we are considered the light)! So when someone hates us for standing on what is right, be thankful that you dodged a bullet!
I stress right now, that the only time we should be hated is when we are upright…for the name of the Lord and for His Truth! If you are being hated because you spit in someone’s face, or shot their dog, or punched their nephew…then you deserve it and need to take the consequences of your actions! (1 Peter 3:17; 1 Peter 2:19-24) We are speaking of suffering hate from others, for the sole sake of the name of the Lord and that we seek after Him! With that in mind, again…be thankful when you are hated!
Those who hate the upright are called “bloothirsty” in today’s verse. In John 3, the Lord shows that generally speaking they simply love darkness rather than light. Therefore, in light of that, ask yourself if you would actually want to be loved by those people instead? On one hand, sure we want to be loved by everyone! But in reality, if the hearts of these people, love darkness and not light, then in order for them to love you, you would have to be darkness and not light!
So when others hate you for the name of the Lord, rejoice! Take this as a testimony and affirmation that you are walking in the Lord, when those who love darkness, do not love you! We live in a worldly generation where everyone tries to please everyone and not offend anyone (except those in the Lord), and wants to be loved by everyone. We have “churches” throughout the world who try hard to be loved by the world. Yet, Jesus implies that the only way we will be loved by the world is if we were OF the world in John 15:19! So quit trying to be loved by the world that Jesus says will hate you if you continue in His Word! Again though some would use this as an excuse to act unruly, unnecessarily rough, and hateful toward those outside of Christ through critical remarks and antagonizing words, and an overly pious attitude. This is not walking in Christ. So when you are hated for that sort of attitude, you are not hated for Jesus’ sake but are hated because point blank: you’re a jerk. Our words are supposed to be seasoned with grace. Our goal is others’ salvation, not riling up the flesh of those in the world.
But remember today, and every day, as you face hatred from others for the reason that you choose to walk upright with the Lord: REJOICE! Be glad because you dodged a bullet in the form of friendship with someone whose heart loves darkness instead. Count it as a good reminder that you’re doing right. And don’t keep your eyes on them, but turn your eyes on those who are members of the body of Christ, the just, who DO love you. Latch onto *them*, and don’t try to win the affection of the world who loves evil.
I love you all very dearly and continue to pray for you. Please keep me and the rest of the body of Christ in your prayers as well. Times are rough, the enemy is working, and the flesh of man is increasing in iniquity. Therefore we all need daily edification and exhortation from one another simply to keep going! So, K.O.K.O., and may God continue to bless you mightily!
Love always in Christ,
Your brother,
And friend,
Michael