Chapter 57—Hatred and Revenge

Thought Enfolds the Deed—The spirit of hatred and revenge originated with Satan, and it led him to put to death the Son of God. Whoever cherishes malice or unkindness is cherishing the same spirit, and its fruit will be unto death. In the revengeful thought the evil deed lies enfolded, as the plant in the seed. “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15).—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 56 (1896).2MCP 524.1

Spirit of Hate Debases—I was shown Satan as he once was, a happy, exalted angel. Then I was shown him as he now is. He still bears a kingly form. His features are still noble, for he is an angel fallen. But the expression of his countenance is full of anxiety, care, unhappiness, malice, hate, mischief, deceit, and every evil....I saw that he had so long bent himself to evil that every good quality was debased and every evil trait was developed.—Early Writings, 152 (1882).2MCP 524.2

History of the World a Conflict Between Hate and Love—Satan's enmity against Christ has been manifested against His followers. The same hatred of the principles of God's law, the same policy of deception by which error is made to appear as truth, by which human laws are substituted for the law of God and men are led to worship the creature rather than the Creator, may be traced in all the history of the past. Satan's efforts to misrepresent the character of God, to cause men to cherish a false conception of the Creator and thus to regard Him with fear and hate rather than with love; his endeavors to set aside the divine law, leading the people to think themselves free from its requirements; and his persecution of those who dare to resist his deceptions, have been steadfastly pursued in all ages. They may be traced in the history of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, of martyrs and reformers.—The Great Controversy, x (1888).2MCP 524.3

Transgression Put Man in Harmony With Satan—When man transgressed the divine law, his nature became evil, and he was in harmony, and not at variance, with Satan.—The Great Controversy, 505 (1888).2MCP 525.1

Hatred to Exist as Long as Sin Exists—Hatred of the pure principles of truth, and reproach and persecution of its advocates, will exist as long as sin and sinners remain. The followers of Christ and the servants of Satan cannot harmonize.—The Great Controversy, 507 (1888).2MCP 525.2

Reproof Arouses Hatred—The same spirit that prompted rebellion in heaven still inspires rebellion on earth.... Reproof of sin still arouses the spirit of hatred and resistance. When God's messages of warning are brought home to the conscience, Satan leads men to justify themselves and to seek the sympathy of others in their course of sin. Instead of correcting their errors, they excite indignation against the reprover, as if he were the sole cause of difficulty. From the days of righteous Abel to our own time, such is the spirit which has been displayed toward those who dare to condemn sin.—The Great Controversy, 500 (1888).2MCP 525.3

Envy Arouses Hatred—Though Saul was ever on the alert for an opportunity to destroy David, he stood in fear of him, since it was evident that the Lord was with him. David's blameless character aroused the wrath of the king; he deemed that the very life and presence of David cast a reproach upon him, since by contrast it presented his own character to disadvantage. It was envy that made Saul miserable and put the humble subject of his throne in jeopardy.2MCP 525.4

What untold mischief has this evil trait of character worked in our world! The same enmity existed in the heart of Saul that stirred the heart of Cain against his brother Abel, because Abel's works were righteous, and God honored him, and his own works were evil, and the Lord could not bless him. Envy is the offspring of pride, and if it is entertained in the heart, it will lead to hatred and eventually to revenge and murder. Satan displayed his own character in exciting the fury of Saul against him who had never done him harm.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 651 (1890).2MCP 526.1

A Sinful Emotion—The law of God takes note of the jealousy, envy, hatred, malignity, revenge, lust, and ambition that surge through the soul, but have not found expression in outward action because the opportunity, not the will, has been wanting. And these sinful emotions will be brought into the account in the day when “God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).—ST, Apr 15, 1886. (Selected Messages 1:217.)2MCP 526.2

Murder First Exists in the Heart—Jesus takes up the commandments separately and explains the depth and breadth of their requirement. Instead of removing one jot of their force, He shows how far-reaching their principles are, and exposes the fatal mistake of the Jews in their outward show of obedience. He declares that by the evil thought or the lustful look the law of God is transgressed. One who becomes a party to the least injustice is breaking the law and degrading his own moral nature. Murder first exists in the mind. He who gives hatred a place in his heart is setting his feet in the path of the murderer, and his offerings are abhorrent to God.—The Desire of Ages, 310 (1898).2MCP 526.3

A Violation of the Sixth Commandment—All acts of injustice that tend to shorten life—the spirit of hatred and revenge, or the indulgence of any passion that leads to injurious acts toward others or causes us even to wish them harm (for “whoso hateth his brother is a murderer”)—are, to a greater or less degree, violations of the sixth commandment.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 308 (1890).2MCP 527.1

Satan Inspires With His Own Energies of Hate—When Satan is permitted to mold the will, he uses it to accomplish his ends. He instigates theories of unbelief and stirs up the human heart to war against the Word of God. With persistent, persevering effort, he seeks to inspire men with his own energies of hate and antagonism to God and to array them in opposition to the institutions and requirements of heaven and the operations of the Holy Spirit. He enlists under his standard all evil agencies and brings them into the battlefield under his generalship to oppose evil against good.—The Review and Herald, February 10, 1903. (Messages to Young People, 54.)2MCP 527.2

World Hated Christ Because He Was Different—The difference between the character of Christ and the character of other men of His day was everywhere apparent, and because of this difference the world hated Him. It hated Him for His goodness and His strict integrity. And Christ declared that those who manifest the same attributes would be likewise hated. As we near the end of time this hatred for the followers of Christ will be more and more manifest.2MCP 527.3

Christ took humanity and bore the hatred of the world that He might show men and women that they could live without sin, that their words, their actions, their spirit, might be sanctified to God. We can be perfect Christians if we will manifest this power in our lives. When the light of heaven rests upon us continually, we shall represent Christ. It was the righteousness revealed in His life that distinguished Christ from the world and called forth its hatred.—Manuscript 97, 1909.2MCP 527.4

Hatred Springs From Desire for Revenge—Satan contested every claim put forth by the Son of God and employed men as his agents to fill the Saviour's life with suffering and sorrow. The sophistry and falsehood by which he had sought to hinder the work of Jesus, the hatred manifested through the children of disobedience, his cruel accusations against Him whose life was one of unexampled goodness, all sprang from deep-seated revenge. The pent-up fires of envy and malice, hatred and revenge, burst forth on Calvary against the Son of God, while all heaven gazed upon the scene in silent horror.—The Great Controversy, 501 (1888).2MCP 528.1

Hatred Toward Parents (words to a young woman)—Especially have you a work to do to confess with humiliation your disrespectful course toward your parents. There is no reason for this unnatural manifestation toward them. It is purely a satanic spirit, and you have indulged in it because your mother has not sanctioned your course. Your feelings amount not only to positive dislike, decided disrespect, but to hatred, malice, envy, jealousy, which are manifested in your actions, causing them suffering and privation. You do not feel like making them happy, or even comfortable. Your feelings are changeable. Sometimes your heart softens, then it closes firmly as you see some fault in them, and the angels cannot impress it with one emotion of love.2MCP 528.2

An evil demon controls you, and you are hateful and hating. God has marked your disrespectful words, your unkind acts to your parents, whom He has commanded you to honor, and if you fail to see this great sin and repent of it, you will grow darker until you will be left to your evil ways.—Testimonies for the Church 2:82, 83 (1868).2MCP 528.3

Satan Delights in Controlling Minds of Children—What a grief it is to see children of God-fearing parents unruly and disobedient, unthankful and self-willed, full of determination to have their own way, regardless of the inconvenience or sorrow it causes their parents. Satan takes delight in ruling the hearts of children, and if he is permitted, he will inspire them with his own hateful spirit.—The Youth's Instructor, August 10, 1893. (Messages to Young People, 333.)2MCP 529.1

Spirit of Hate Reacts—No one can hate his brother, or even his enemy, without placing himself under condemnation.—The Youth's Instructor, January 13, 1898.2MCP 529.2

Revenge Does Not Bring Satisfaction—Remember that a revengeful speech never makes one feel that he has gained a victory. Let Christ speak through you. Do not lose the blessing that comes from thinking no evil.—Testimonies for the Church 7:243 (1902).2MCP 529.3

Beclouds the Perceptive Powers—Pride, self-love, selfishness, hatred, envy, and jealousy have beclouded the perceptive powers, and the truth, which would make you wise unto salvation, has lost its power to charm and control the mind.—Testimonies for the Church 2:605, 606 (1871).2MCP 529.4

Oil of Love Removes Bitterness—Do not suffer resentment to ripen into malice. Do not allow the wound to fester and break out in poisoned words, which taint the minds of those who hear. Do not allow bitter thoughts to continue to fill your mind.... Go to your brother and in humility and sincerity talk with him about the matter....2MCP 529.5

All heaven is interested in the interview between the one who has been injured and the one who is in error.... The oil of love removes the soreness caused by the wrong. The Spirit of God binds heart to heart, and there is music in heaven over the union brought about.—Testimonies for the Church 7:261, 262 (1902).2MCP 529.6

The Heart That Gives Love for Hatred—It is not earthly rank, nor birth, nor nationality, nor religious privilege, which proves that we are members of the family of God; it is love, a love that embraces all humanity. Even sinners whose hearts are not utterly closed to God's Spirit will respond to kindness; while they may give hate for hate, they will also give love for love. But it is only the Spirit of God that gives love for hatred. To be kind to the unthankful and to the evil, to do good hoping for nothing again, is the insignia of the royalty of heaven, the sure token by which the children of the Highest reveal their high estate.—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 75 (1896).2MCP 529.7