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The extreme opposite of love is hate. Hatred is a wicked, vile attitude of heart. It is more prone to destroy the one who is afflicted with it than the person who is hated. John drew a definite distinction between love and hate by making it a personal matter of heart. Our love and appreciation for others will assure us that we are walking in the light. Furthermore, it brings a certain guarantee that the individual who fills their life with the love of the Lord will not stumble. Love is the strength of the Christian life and walk. 1 John 2:10.
Contrariwise, those whose heart is filled with hatred, are declared to be walking in darkness. They are utterly blinded by the strong emotions of the natural man which are diametrically opposite to the spiritual man. They will stumble, they will fall and constantly be misdirected because of the blindness which they embrace in their inner man. They will lose their sense of proper spiritual direction and be constantly mislead. 1 John 2:11.
Paul afforded us a word picture of the person who is walking in darkness. He lists them as being foolish, not able to comprehend between that which is right and wrong. Disobedient, determined to do their own thing and have their own way. Deceived, by their actions and manner of life they demonstrate their blindness and refusal to receive correction. In servitude to all manner of lust and extreme evil. Pleasure mad. Always seeking but never able to quench the desire and longing within. Living in malice, a life of depravity and consequently difficulties and troubles. Filled with envy and jealousy, resulting in spiteful acts. Hateful, demonstrated in road rage, the shaking and maiming of children. In some cases even killing them. Filled with hatred and desires for revenge, many times for offences which are minor but with a wicked mind are blown out of proportion. Titus 3:3.
The words, the manner which is used when speaking of others will betray or give evidence to the condition of the inner man, the hidden man of the heart. From a good heart pour forth good things but from a wicked, blinded heart vileness is spewed forth. Luke 6:45 The hidden man of the heart will display himself by his actions and his words. John spoke in a very explicit manner and defined the ultimate, the outcome of hating our brother by calling it murder. 1 John 3:15 He then continued on to present the sentence passed on such a person. It is paramount to eternal separation or the second death. Lost eternally, without a hope of salvation. Can we really afford to hate?