Children, even those raised in the church setting often use the phrase “I hate you” without fully grasping its weight. Their emotions can be intense and impulsive, and they may not comprehend the lasting impact of hurtful words. As they grow, guidance and empathy help them learn the significance of their words and the importance of kindness.
As Christian parents, we should begin to teach our children the fact that God does not want us to hate siblings or people. I believe that this godly knowledge will empower them to have successful relationships in the future that are built on God’s love.
Definition of Hatred: Hatred is an intense and deep-seated feeling of hostility or aversion toward someone or something. It goes beyond mere dislike and often involves strong negative emotions, resentment, and a desire for harm or ill will. Hatred can poison relationships and impact our well-being, so it’s essential to teach our children to recognize it and seek biblical and healthier ways to cope with difficult feelings
Understanding Hatred
- Definition and Consequences of Hatred:
- Proverbs 10:12: “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.”
- Hatred creates conflict and division, while love promotes peace and reconciliation.
- 1 John 3:15: “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”
- Hatred is equated with murder in the heart, showing the severity of its consequences. Hatred will cause one to miss heaven
- Proverbs 10:12: “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.”
- Biblical Examples of Hatred:
- Cain and Abel: Genesis 4:4-8; shows how Cain’s hatred for Abel led to the first murder.
- Joseph and His Brothers: Genesis 37:4; describes how Joseph’s brothers hated him out of jealousy, leading to their betrayal.
Teaching Children How Not to Walk in Hatred
- Love as the Antidote to Hatred:
- 1 John 4:7-8; “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
- Emphasize that God is love and those who know God should love others. Teach children that love is the fundamental characteristic of a believer.
- 1 John 4:7-8; “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
- The Greatest Commandments:
- Matthew 22:37-39; “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
- Loving God and loving others are the greatest commandments. Encourage children to treat others with the same love and respect they desire for themselves.
- Matthew 22:37-39; “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
- Forgiveness as a Path to Overcoming Hatred:
- Ephesians 4:31-32; “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
- Teach children the importance of forgiveness. Explain that forgiving others as God has forgiven us helps to remove bitterness and hatred from their hearts.
- Ephesians 4:31-32; “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
- The Fruit of the Spirit:
- Galatians 5:22-23; “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
- Encourage children to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in their lives, focusing on love, kindness, and self-control to prevent hatred.
- Galatians 5:22-23; “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
- Practical Steps to Avoid Hatred:
- Romans 12:17-21; “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
- Teach children to respond to wrongs with good deeds rather than retaliation. Encourage them to seek peace and let God handle justice.
- Romans 12:17-21; “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Practical Activities for Teaching Children
- Bible Stories and Discussions:
- Read stories like Cain and Abel, Joseph and his brothers, and the Good Samaritan.
- Discuss the outcomes of hatred and the importance of love and forgiveness.
- Role-Playing and Scenarios:
- Create role-playing activities where children can practice responding to conflict with love and forgiveness.
- Discuss different scenarios and appropriate responses that reflect Christ-like love.
- Memory Verses:
- Encourage children to memorize key verses about love and forgiveness, such as 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Ephesians 4:32, and 1 John 4:7-8.
- Acts of Kindness:
- Encourage children to perform random acts of kindness to reinforce the practice of love and kindness.
- Share stories of how these acts impact others positively.
- Prayer and Reflection:
- Teach children to pray for those (including siblings and family members) they find difficult to love, asking God to help them overcome feelings of hatred.
- Reflect on times when they felt angry or hurt and guide them in seeking God’s help to forgive and love.
Conclusion: Teaching children about hatred and how not to walk in it from a biblical perspective involves emphasizing the importance of love, forgiveness, and the fruit of the Spirit. By using biblical stories, practical activities, and scriptural teachings, children can learn to recognize the destructive nature of hatred and develop the godly habit of loving others as Christ loves us
Altar call: For anyone reading this article who is not saved and wants to be part of the family of God or you want to re-dedicate your life back to Jesus, please repeat this out loud. “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned against you. Lord Jesus forgive me of my sins. I repent of my sins. Lord Jesus come into my life and be my Lord now and forever in Jesus Name
Feast of Light Word Ministry
