MOMENT OF ENCOUNTER DEVOTIONAL
By Prophet Dr. Abiodun Adesida
Topic: Those Who Hate Me Love Death
Bible Reading: Proverbs 8:36–37
Key Verse:
"But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death." — Proverbs 8:36 (KJV)
THOSE WHO HATE ME, LOVE DEATH
One of the strangest discoveries in life is that hatred hurts the hater more than the hated.
If you drink poison hoping your enemy will die, who gets buried first?
The Bible says those who hate divine wisdom actually love death. What a shocking statement! God is not saying they occasionally visit death; He says they love it. It is like a man running away from food and embracing hunger, rejecting medicine and hugging sickness, abandoning light and marrying darkness.
Many people claim they hate someone, but in reality, they are digging a pit for themselves. Hatred is a self-inflicted wound. It is a fire that burns the container before reaching the target.
A Funny but Serious Observation
Have you noticed that some people dedicate their entire lives to monitoring another person's progress?
They wake up asking:
- "Has he succeeded?"
- "Has she bought a car?"
- "Did they build a house?"
- "Has God answered their prayer?"
Their blood pressure rises whenever good news arrives from the person they dislike.
Meanwhile, the person they hate is eating pounded yam peacefully while they are developing ulcers from unnecessary bitterness!
Hatred turns intelligent people into unpaid security guards of another person's destiny.
Why People Hate Others
1. Envy
Cain hated Abel because God accepted Abel's sacrifice (Genesis 4).
Some people are angry not because you offended them but because God blessed you.
2. Pride
Proud people often struggle with seeing others prosper.
The success of another person becomes an insult to their ego.
3. Unforgiveness
When offenses are not released, they become bitterness.
Bitterness grows into hatred, and hatred eventually destroys peace.
4. Ignorance
Many people fail to realize that every human being carries the image of God.
To hate people carelessly is to disrespect the Creator who made them.
Why You Must Avoid Hatred
1. Hatred Destroys Spiritual Vision
A hateful heart cannot clearly hear God's voice.
Bitterness clouds spiritual understanding.
2. Hatred Robs You of Joy
A person can live in a palace and still be miserable because hatred has occupied the throne of his heart.
3. Hatred Opens the Door to Destruction
Proverbs says those who hate wisdom love death.
Hatred attracts emotional, spiritual, and sometimes physical destruction.
4. Hatred Makes You a Prisoner
The person you hate may not even know you are angry.
Yet you carry them everywhere—in your thoughts, conversations, dreams, and emotions.
Who is really imprisoned?
Biblical Examples
Cain
Cain hated Abel and ended up becoming a fugitive and wanderer.
Saul
King Saul hated David and spent years chasing him.
David became king while Saul lost peace, honour, and eventually his life.
Haman
Haman hated Mordecai so much that he built gallows for him.
Ironically, he became the first customer of the gallows he prepared.
Hatred often returns to its sender.
Joseph's Brothers
Their hatred sold Joseph into slavery.
Yet God turned Joseph into a governor.
Their hatred delayed them but could not stop God's purpose.
The Wisdom of Love
Jesus taught us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who persecute us.
This is not because enemies deserve it.
It is because your heart deserves freedom.
Forgiveness is not approving wrong actions; it is refusing to let another person's actions control your future.
Lessons for Today
- Never allow another person's success to become your sorrow.
- Refuse to carry bitterness longer than necessary.
- Pray for those who hurt you.
- Celebrate the progress of others.
- Protect your heart from envy.
- Choose wisdom over resentment.
Remember: hatred is too expensive. It costs peace, joy, health, relationships, and sometimes destiny.
Prophetic Reflection
Anyone occupying a seat in your heart that belongs to God through bitterness and hatred must be removed today. May the Lord heal wounded hearts, restore broken relationships, and deliver us from every spirit of envy, jealousy, and malice.
Prayer Points
1. Father, purge my heart from every root of bitterness and hatred.
2. Lord, help me to forgive those who have hurt me.
3. Give me the grace to rejoice with those who rejoice.
4. Deliver me from envy, jealousy, and unhealthy competition.
5. Let Your wisdom rule my thoughts, words, and actions.
6. May my life be filled with love, peace, and divine favour.
Moment of Encounter
The person you hate may never know how much energy you spend hating them. But your heart knows. Your peace knows. Your sleep knows. Your health knows.
Do not become a caretaker of bitterness.
Life is too short to spend it hating people whom God may yet use to bless you.
Choose love. Choose wisdom. Choose life.
Your brother
Prophet Dr Abiodun Adesida
CAC IBUDO ONA ABAYỌ
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