We speak against groups like the KKK, Black Panthers, ISIS, White Supremacist, Neo-Nazis, etc.  But when we act in hate, we are spreading their same poison.

There is no virus or disease that spreads faster or is more potent than the poison of hate, rage, and fear.  A disease requires some form of physical contact with the body to spread; whether it be by air and breathed in, someone sneezing/coughing on you or by touching an infected surface with your hands.

Hate, rage, and fear spread thousands of miles with a single voice.  Speaking to the hurt in people’s hearts, engaging these emotions within them causing them to move to act in a way unconscious of the pain they may cause another.

Scripture warns us about hate.  Proverbs 10:12 (NLT) says “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all wrongs.”  Proverbs 15:1 (NLT) “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” Hate puts brother against brother bringing more division into an unprecedented time that needs us to come together.

The only antidote I know that can destroy hate, rage and fear is LOVE.  1 Peter 4:8 (NLT) “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 John 4:18 speaks of “perfect love expelling fear”.  Scripture defines for us what love looks like in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT) “Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  It does not demand its own way.  It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Lover never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance.”  This is the love that God gives.

I think a modern example of someone who understood this concept; this very idea was Martin Luther King Jr who said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”  So, let us be the light and love to drive the darkness and hate from our broken world.  Let us speak life into damaged hearts.