The Hatred Epidemic
Matthew 5:21-26
Introduction.
There is too much hatred in the world today.
Too many people are dying in mass shootings here in this country.
I do not want to get political, but this does touch on a biblical concept.
What can we as Christians do to stop this from happening?
Some cry for common sense gun legislation.
Some cry for mental health reform.
But a lot of this, if implemented, will only tackle the symptoms, not the root of the problem.
The root of the problem is sin: hatred, in particular.
We can write to our congressmen asking, begging for them to do something.
Or, better yet, we can take the beautiful gospel of Christ to people.
Murder begins in the heart—if we tackle this problem, then we will have made a difference.
Body.
Prevention – don’t incite anger (vs. 22)
In any conflict, there are at least two parties: the aggressor and the aggrieved.
In playground language, this is the bully and the bullied.
The bully is the one who is angry “without a cause.”
I don’t know that for certain, but in my experience that is the case.
I have asked bullies when I was in school why they do things, and their answer was always, “Because I can.”
Perhaps in their home life, they are bullied, and they feel they must bully others – “Hurt people hurt people.”
In so many of these shootings, the shooters cite bullying as a reason.
In some shootings, the bully is the shooter.
Either being the bully or the bullied can lead to anger, which leads to hatred, which leads to murder.
Be nice to people even if they are not nice to you—you may turn them around.
Reconciliation – you messed up; now what? (vs. 23-24).
Maybe you have been angry with someone without cause, or maybe someone has been angry with you without a cause—what can you do?
First, do not let it go too long!
Jesus says this needs to be taken care of before you worship again.
Your heart is not in the right place if it is full of hatred.
Then make amends with them, be reconciled.
I don’t know what that means in every situation.
You have to find a way to make things right, whether you believe you are the aggressor or the aggrieved.
Paul says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 12:18).
You won’t be able to reconcile with everyone, but try, really try!
Agreeable – keeping things right (vs. 25-26).
You have reconciled, but that reconciliation may be on shaky ground.
Agree with your adversary quickly—any disagreement could escalate.
This is one way in which you can live peaceably with all men.
If we are living as a Christian ought, we should never be the cause of a mass shooting.
The only exception is if it is because we are Christian (“If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” 1 Pet. 4:16).
Yet one more step – PRAY.
After these shootings, politicians often offer thoughts and prayers.
While some consider this to be useless, the Bible disagrees.
Ultimately we cannot control what other people do.
What we can do is pray for their hearts to be softened
to the Gospel,
that they might forgive, and
that such violence would not happen again.
Let us offer continual prayers for this nation and the victims’ families.
Conclusion.
I realize this would not have prevented every mass shooting.
Some shootings are because of religion: Muslim extremists or against Christians.
But if we work hard to share the gospel with as many people as we can:
Perhaps we will convert the father of a potential mass shooter, and he will treat his son better.
Perhaps you can reach out to a potential shooter and be his friend where he has none.
Do not be the bully; be a friend to the bullied.
Hatred leads to murder, and if we can stomp out hatred with the love of the gospel, this world would be a much better place.
