One Heart - Together as OneSample

HATE SPEECH

“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue, we praise our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” James 3:6-10 NIV

Hate comes from the idea that certain people can or should have power and control over others. Hate starts from negative assumptions, images and beliefs about a certain group. These negative assumptions are called stereotypes. When there is a crisis, some people feel defensive and blame other people and groups. When someone sees a group as a threat, it might lead them to act or speak hatefully to members of that group. Hatred is often associated with intense feelings of anger, contempt, and disgust. Anger and hatred have a way of clouding our minds and distorting our judgements. Hate is not just an emotion. It is a state of being that involves choices, behaviours, and thoughts. Hate speech is derogatory language to threaten, humiliate, belittle, and dehumanise a person, thereby removing his dignity and equality. Jesus compared hate speech with murder (Mat.5:21-22; 1Joh.3:15). Hate speech, cursing and slandering, not only do not produce the righteousness of God, but it grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph.4:29-32; Jam.1:19) . The cure of hate speech is to not repay hatred with hatred, or insult with insult, but to bless such a person (1Pet.3:9). Remove all filthy language from your vocabulary (Col.3:8; Pro.4:24).

Blaspheming Christ has become the norm. Saying "Christ!" or "Jesus!" as an exclamation or a curse word, is blasphemy, using the name of God in vain. Movie makers don't think twice about using it. Don’t watch such a movie as you will be participating in the blaspheming. Even Christians use other blaspheming words like OMG and OMW. Other curse and swear words that are vulgar and crude reveal the condition of your heart. God's holiness demands a pure heart. We all need to decide whether we would like to honour or dishonour God.

Scriptures to meditate on before praying:

Jam.3:6-10; Mat.5:21-22; 1Joh.3:15; Eph.4:29-32; Jam.1:19; 1Pet.3:9; Prov.10:12.

PRAYER POINTS

ME: How often do you use hate speech, curse or swear? Do you truly honour God with your language? Bow before the Lord to repent and ask Him to forgive you and to cleanse your heart and lips. 1Pet.3:15.

US: Pray that the Holy Spirit will convict Christians for participating in hate speech, cursing and swearing. Ask the Lord to forgive us for our critical spirit and for the many ways that we curse other people in our thoughts and attitudes. Ask Him to help us to stop all negative talk and criticism and for the will to work together towards a solution for a multi-cultural, multi-racial society.

THEM: How will they know love unless they see it manifesting in the church? May the purity of the church be a testimony in a hateful, hurting world.