Anger and hate are natural human emotions that we experience. Hate may be evoked in many ways, leading to a strong sense of envy and resentment to an individual.
This feeling when harbored extensively may lead to sinful actions. 1 John 3:15 reads, “Anyone who hates his brother and sister is a murderer”. Let’s explore some biblical scenarios where hate and envy were acutely displayed and what can be done to circumvent it.
1. Cain and Abel
Genesis 4 tells the story of Cain and Abel, both brothers brought an offering to God, but the He looked with favor on Abel’s and not on Cain’s. “So, Cain was very angry and downcast”. His offering had been rejected by God as unfavorable. When God saw that Cain was angry and downcast, He presents two options for Cain as recorded in Genesis 4:6-7:
- Option 1: If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?
God poses this rhetorical question to Cain, inferring that Abel’s offering was the right one. To know if something is acceptable, one must compare it to an ideal created under the same circumstances. Abel’s offering was the ideal – a representation of perfection. God proposes to Abel to follow the ideal for his offering to be accepted.
- Option 2: But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.
The second proposition by offered God reveals that anger is fertile ground for sin, it desires to have you and control you, but you must rule over it. Anger does not bring any good to oneself nor others, we must rule over it as it does not produce the righteousness of God desires (James 1:20).
2. Saul and David
Saul was the first king of Israel expected to carry the God’s instruction, he was also a military leader who defeated many tribes (1 Sam 14:47- 48). Later Saul was rejected as king for dishonoring God’s instructions, a new king, David, was sought after and anointed. Under the kingship of Saul, David became a military leader, who conquered several tribes.
After successfully completing a mission, women came out dancing and singing “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands”, 1 Sam 18:7. What follows is “Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly” 1 Sam 18:8
Here two men, both kings and army leaders whose success is compared. The Spirit of God was upon David, whilst on Saul, it had departed (1 Sam 16:13-14). David’s military success is greater and overshadows Saul’s making Saul feel inferior and rejected.
David’s is the ideal, possessing the Spirit of God. Saul’s chose not to do what is right, sin starts to rule over him, leading him to pursue David numerous times to have him killed.
3. Jesus and the Pharisees
The Pharisees were experts at the law of God and were regarded as the most holy and righteous members in society. When Jesus came, he grew to be man favored by God and man (Luke 2:52). He was the perfect man that showed love and compassion to all people.
He preached not just of the law but of the Kingdom of God. Jesus was the ideal, overshadowing the Pharisees and displaying their flaws and inadequacies in all their “holy” religious practices. Their hate towards Jesus ultimately led them to plot his killing.
4. How To Circumvent Envy
Where there is anger, hate and envy there is a presence of the ideal. An ideal expose our weaknesses and areas of development, it presents a goal to seek for and can only be achieved if we do what is right.
The ideal may be presented to us in ways such as constructive feedback, competition or simply observing someone in a field perfect their craft.
If we’re experiencing anger, hate and envy from other people, it is a sure sign that you are doing something right. Just like Abel, David and Jesus you are a representation of the ideal in a specific vocation.
Cain murdered his brother because his actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous (1 John 3:12), though they may not physically not attempt to kill you, they may use slander, malice and other ways to destroy you. Do not be surprised if the world hates you (1 John 3:13).
Ephesians 4:26: “Do not let the sun go down while you’re still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” supports what God said to Cain in Genesis 4:7. Rule over the urge to sin when you’re angry “In your anger do not sin”, Psalm 4:4.
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