Imagine an America in which people come to hate sin as much as they once hated other people. At a solidarity gathering of nearly 200 Christians and Jews in Nashville, Tennessee, a leader suggested we switch out the word antisemites to Jew haters — to drive home the seriousness of HATRED.

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“Don’t mess with me about hate for Trump!” declared Nancy Pelosi. She’s not alone. Politicians, celebrities, late-night TV hosts, and commentators do this daily, with the 2024 presidential election mere months away.

USA Today reported about our problem through an article headlined “Divided We Fall?” As the Bible warns us: But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you are not consumed by one another (Galatians 5:15).

The brutal reality is that this is the state of multitudes in America today. Sad to say, this describes many professing Christians who say they identify as “Trump haters,” with many being seemingly ignorant of or oblivious to the dangerous direction our country is taking.

What’s Happening to America?

Not long ago, I heard some comments disparaging the former president from a Catholic journalist who was seemingly gleeful that Mr. Trump’s reputation is assaulted daily. When she finished the TV spot, a commentator said: “Of course she makes these statements, because she’s a Trump hater!” This is nothing different from what we hear through the ladies on “The View,” who hammer him consistently, thereby corroding our culture.

The Bible counters all of this with a reminder: Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him (Proverbs 24:17–18).

• We hear hateful remarks every day. Has this become some kind of “merit badge” that people proudly wear?
• Have we drifted so far from our core values of respect, civility, and honor toward individuals and leaders with whom we may differ that we must lower ourselves to embarrassing levels of contempt, disdain, and vitriolic name-calling?
• And have we become so accustomed to profanity-laced attacks, rage, and insults permeating our public discourse that we simply wince, shrug our shoulders, and think: “Well, that’s just the way it is today”?

In a similar seriously divided time in our history, President Lincoln said: “With malice toward none” — meaning there should be no intention to harm others, but instead to demonstrate “charity for all” and thus heal the polarized state of the country.

A few years ago, former First Lady Michelle Obama challenged us: “When someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. No. Our motto is, ‘When they go low, we go high.'” Sadly, former Attorney General Eric Holder retorted: “The new Democratic motto should be: ‘When they go low, we kick ’em!'” This same animus came from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in blasting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Christian leader Ben Carson had enough of Rep. Maxine Waters, one of the worst proponents of hateful rhetoric, and wrote her: “My mother always taught me that people shouldn’t throw rocks. … Basic manners elude you.”

Time for a Turnaround

Before we plummet to more-dangerous levels of hostility engendering the brewing societal civil war, we must stop and remind ourselves of how seriously God views all this escalating hatred. It’s demonically inspired, unacceptable, and designed to destroy the fabric of our nation, and it is serious sin. The soon-to-be-released movie Civil War brings home this reality in a profound way.

It is not people that Almighty God hates, but sin! He is long-suffering, but He will eventually judge sin and punish those who habitually practice it. He’s especially sensitive of those who identify as Christians and yet are hypocritical with hateful speech: If anyone among you seems to be religious and does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is vain (James 1:26).

Counterculture Conduct

• “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Luke 6:27–28).
• Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him (1 John 3:15).
• Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outbursts, and blasphemies, with all malice, be taken away from you (Ephesians 4:31).

In Romans 12 God tells us: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” (verse 19), and Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (verse 21).

Seven Things God Hates

Proverbs 6:16-19 identifies 7 areas God hates because they bring enormous harm to individuals, marriages, families, relationships, reputations, careers and society itself. Praying for leaders and others is a priority but it’s not enough! Let’s remind ourselves of the specific areas God hates:

1. Pride
2. A lying tongue
3. Hands shedding innocent blood
4. Devising wicked imaginations
5. Feet rushing to evil
6. A false witness speaking lies
7. SOWING DISCORD

God wants to protect us from the devastation accompanying these sins. He also wants to protect us from the ultimate consequence of rebellion: divine justice and eternal separation from God in hell!

Anyone who either in person or on social media dismisses the warnings of Scripture regarding hatred should be sobered by the reality of a coming Judgment Day and the reality of hell. Jesus told us that each of us will stand before His throne (see 2 Corinthians 5:10) to give an account for every careless word we’ve ever spoken (see Matthew 12:36). Defamatory accusations, lying, slander, deceitful statements, character assassination, gossip, mockery, profanities and the like will all be adjudicated, with no provision for plea-bargaining or other legal technicalities.

Hell Is for Haters

From the very lips of Jesus came four sobering facts regarding the dreadfulness of damnation (see Matthew 25:41–46). Those refusing to repent, to put faith in Christ alone, and to follow the will of God end up in hell. This means:

1. total separation from God;
2. association with Satan, demons and history’s lost souls;
3. unimaginable punishment;
4. a never-ending sentence for all eternity.

Here’s the Deal: As the 2024 election heats up, may we true Christians remember: “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). The identifying mark of true Christians is crystal clear. Let’s light the way while we continue to pray for those walking in darkness.

George Washington Carver’s words are especially relevant for us today: “I will never let another man ruin my life by making me hate him.”

Did you find this article convicting? Share it with your friends and family to cultivate a culture of Christian love!

Larry Tomczak is a cultural commentator of 46 years, an IFA board member, a bestselling author, and a public-policy adviser with Liberty Counsel. His innovative video/book, BULLSEYE, develops informed influencers in 30 days (see www.bullseyechallenge.com). Hear his weekly podcast here. Photo Credit: 947051/pixabay via Canva Pro.