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Hatred of the World

Rock shaped like a heart, cracked, broken, laying on a bed of smaller rocks. love, hate
Image by Miriam Müller from Pixabay

Up until a few years ago, I was a “theistic evolutionist.” My husband talked till he was blue in the face to change my mind, but I was stuck in my views. Then, I actually read Darwin’s book (well, a little of it). I never had before. I just based my beliefs on what my teachers told me. Then, my husband and I watched “Evolution vs. God”* by Ray Comfort, and my eyes were opened. I was so excited about this discovery that I wanted to talk about it with my two daughters. But when I presented them with the DVD, they surprised me with their reactions.

They got angry, defensive. They didn’t want any part of it or to even talk about it. I was genuinely surprised and a little hurt that they responded in such an angry, almost hateful manner. A few weeks later, my husband tried to help me talk to one of them by starting with, “As a well-educated person, don’t you normally study both sides of something before you make a decision?” Immediately she knew where he was going with this. She very calmly explained that she did not want to talk about it and that if we continued to push the discussion, she would leave. So, we dropped it. I felt hurt. She felt hurt. There was an awkwardness between us for a long time.

I pray for their salvation every single day. Over time, I’ve been able to say things about my beliefs and my God experiences that aren’t met with anger and resentment. So I see God working in them. Initially, though, just with those minor confrontations, I wanted to give up trying to share the gospel, and I did for a long time. I’m not good at confrontations. I’m not good at starting those types of conversations, but I see God work in people like me all the time, and so I persevere. I pray for guidance every day, and it’s made a huge difference in my life and my testimony.

We really know nothing of true persecution here in this country. I pray for those in “restricted” countries to have the strength and encouragement to share the gospel even though I know what they’re laying on the line to do so. It’s the only way the gospel can reach ‘every tribe, every nation,’ and therefore, it’s the only way for Christ to return. (Matthew 24:14). Would you please pray for the persecuted?

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
John 15:18-25 ESV

*If you attend my church and would like a free copy of “Evolution vs. God,” please contact me. I have several left. (I do not get affiliate payments for you purchasing the DVD or anything from the Answers In Genesis website.)
If you would like to pray for the persecuted, missionaries, unreached, and unengaged people groups, visit imb.org/pray. They have an app where they share daily prayer requests from the field and monthly PrayerPoints. If you attend my church, you can pick up a PrayerPoints at the table in front of the Missions Wall. ❤ Peace be with you.


Please join me this week in praising our Father for being the loving, caring Vinedresser. Ask Him to show you which type of branch you are. Ask Him to lift up those branches which are not bearing fruit. Ask Him to show you how you can help in the vineyard. Let’s also pray that the Holy Spirit continually work with our loved ones and us so that we may completely abide in Jesus.

1 thought on “Hatred of the World”

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