I Will Not Be a Murderer
Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.
1 John 3:15 (NLT)
The words of the apostle John are strong and clear. Hatred is not a neutral emotion—it is a spiritual poison. Jesus Himself taught that murder does not begin with a weapon but with an attitude of the heart. That’s why holding on to hatred, resentment, or bitterness, even in silence, is as serious before God as a violent act. The Lord does not only call us to avoid outward harm but to keep a heart free from resentment. Forgiveness is not a suggestion—it is a decision that heals us, frees us, and makes us more like Christ.
- Hatred is a silent poison
John compares the one who hates to a murderer. Even if there is no physical crime, God sees the heart. Hatred contaminates the soul, hardens the conscience, and extinguishes spiritual life. - We must love even those who have hurt us
Although this passage specifically refers to brothers and sisters in the faith, the principle extends to all. Jesus calls us to love even our enemies, to bless those who curse us, and to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). Not for their sake, but for ours. Love breaks chains, and forgiveness heals us. - Resentment harms me, not others
Holding on to resentment is like drinking poison and expecting it to harm someone else. The one most affected by hatred is me. I don’t want to be the enemy’s garbage dump but the temple of the Holy Spirit. - Forgiving is an act of obedience and freedom
I choose to forgive:
o Those who humiliated me.
o Those who betrayed me.
o Those who abused their authority.
o Those who spoke ill of me or stole from me.
Not because they deserve it, but because I deserve to live in peace and in God’s presence. - Love shows that we have passed from death to life
John also says:
“If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.”
1 John 3:14 (NLT)
Love is evidence of spiritual life. Without love, everything else loses its meaning.
Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.
1 John 3:15 (NLT)
Think About It:
• Am I holding hatred or bitterness in my heart toward someone?
• Am I willing to let go of resentment and forgive, even if it’s hard?
• Do I want to be a reflection of Christ’s love or a prison of resentment?