Together in Christ: 'Erasing Hate with Love' — Proverbs 10:12

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.

— Proverbs 10:12 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus made today's Scripture clearer and even more powerful for us:

"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven." [1]

No matter how impossible this principle feels, loving those who hate us is the Lord's powerful "eraser-of-evil." This eraser has power to heal division, [2] dissolve hatred, [3] and release the heart of a disciple to live in the power of the Spirit. [4]

Thankfully, God demonstrated His "eraser-of-evil" principle to us when He sent Jesus to die for us and save us. God did this while we were "powerless," "ungodly," "sinners," and "enemies" of God. [5] In other words, God has already shown His love for His enemies by sending Jesus! God then gave us the power to follow His example since His "love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. [6] So, as impossible as this principle of love seems, let's commit to trusting in the Spirit's power as the Spirit transforms us to be more and more like Jesus. By the Spirit's power, we can return good for evil, blessing for cursing, and love for hate. [7] We cannot control what people do to us or say about us or to us, but we can ask the Spirit to guide our responses and reflect the grace and transforming love of Jesus in all of our relationships!

[1] Matthew 5:43-48.
[2] Proverbs 15:1, 4, 17:9.
[3] Colossians 3:14-15.
[4] Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 5:15-21.
[5] Romans 5:6-11 NIV.
[6] Romans 5:5 NIV.
[7] Romans 12:14; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:8-9.

Today's Prayer

O, Father, loving my enemies and returning love when others are hateful to me and even hate me seems too hard for me to do. My flesh, selfishness, and self-defensiveness push back, my anger rises, and I want to "get even" and "get back" at the other person. Please, dear Lord, forgive me. Cleanse my heart of all spite, hatred, and malice toward others. Fill me, Holy Spirit, and cleanse me. Reanimate my spirit and conform me to my Savior so I can love with Your redeeming and transformative love. In Jesus' name, I beg for this grace and power to be genuine in me. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Proverbs 10:12
Devo: Daily Wisdom
"Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs."
Proverbs 10:12
Devo: Today's Verse
"Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs."
Love Covers
Illustration of Proverbs 10:12
Inspirational illustration of Proverbs 10:12 -- Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.
Overcoming the Power of Hatred
Virtual Worship by Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware
We commit to be Jesus-shaped people, people who leave the world a different and better place than we found it. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to be people of reconciliation, forgiveness, and grace, just like our Savior!
See All 5 Related Resources about Proverbs 10:12

Illustration

Illustration of Proverbs 10:12 NLT — Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'The Lord Who Provides'
"It is the Lord who provides the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night, and who stirs the sea into roaring waves. His name is...."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is....."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: John 10:9
"Jesus, the great I AM, is the entrance into the true church, and the way of access to God himself. He gives to the man who comes to God by him four..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Bob Smith:
"All I know is that I am a product of God and all I can do is the best I can to thank Him and honor Him and try to grow in Him, step by step."

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Together in Christ