Characteristics of Christian haters, in no particular order: emotionally insecure, biblically ignorant, rebellious, proud, angry, bitter, resentful, restless, joyless, threatened, fearful, arrogant, ill-mannered, disrespectful, self-righteous, idolatrous and religious. Religious? Yes certainly, they are their own god; they’re self-worshipers. If Christianity has no influence, Atheism, Humanism, Socialism, Marxism and Communism do, whether they know it or not, or admit it or not. We are not free thinkers or free agents, nobody lives in a vacuum; everyone is under either the influence of the Spirit of Christ or the spirit of antichrist.
But are such people our enemies? Not at all; only their behaviors and isms. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places Ephesians 6:12 NLT. If God were to momentarily grant us a physical glimpse of these spiritual beings hovering all around, plus living within Christian haters we would be astounded! And for Christian doubters of such, be ever mindful of the word of Jesus, In My name they (we) will cast out demons Mark 16:17. When do we get to cast them out of Christian haters? Only when they come to acknowledge they’re imprisoned by them. Most never will, sadly.
In the meantime, we must daily acknowledge that our warfare is spiritual, not physical. If we continually fail to do so, those demons will have us speaking and acting towards our Christian haters in the same manner as they do towards us. When they personally mock, insult, curse and abuse, our responses are to be Christ-like; they will be if we’re led by the Holy Spirit. And when He (Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world (Christian hater) of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment John 16:8. Should the insults etc, increase, that’s evidence of the Holy Spirit’s convicting work. Just how long the Spirit perseveres is up to Him. He may spend months or years but, when we discern we are casting pearls before swine Matthew 7:6, it’s time to cut ourselves loose from them.
The Holy Spirit is merciful, patient and gracious but He will not strive with a Christian hater forever. If he or she continually insists on willfully resisting the Spirit’s conviction, sooner or later He will hand them over to the hardness and blindness of their hearts and there will be no way back for them, making repentance from then on impossible. Quote: “If the Spirit be resisted, quenched, and striven against, though He strive long, He will not strive always. Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone Hosea 4:17. Those are ripening apace for ruin whom the Spirit of grace has left off striving with.” – Matthew Henry. Whilst it disappoints God that people decide to reject the one and only Savior He sent to earth from heaven, He nevertheless respects their decision.
Just as we are to understand we are not fighting against flesh and blood, so too are we to understand it is not flesh and blood really fighting against us. In other words, it is not us personally that Christian haters attack, it is the Spirit of Christ Himself within us. We stand for Christ, the antichrist spirits within them stand against Christ. The hater doesn’t know this but we must know it. Again, if God were to grant us a physical glimpse of these spiritual beings and observe their modus operandi, our entire outlook towards Christian haters would be transformed immediately rather than gradually. Everyone is ruled by those demons one way or another until they submit themselves to Christ. That’s why, You shall love your neighbor as yourself Matthew 22:39 is such an important command.
If we don’t love our neighbor as ourselves, we don’t love Christ! Best we come to terms with that truth quickly, otherwise everything we think, say and do in Christ’s name is bogus. Having said such, hate is what Christian haters accuse us of expressing, not love. Especially do they when we dare to proclaim biblical realities they are diametrically opposed to. For example, the forthcoming wrath and judgments of God upon the unrepentant for their wickedness; the Humanists/Socialists/Marxists/Communists call it “hate speech.” Those at the top of the chain know it’s not, but their biblically illiterate, brainwashed foot soldiers believe it is. And when they hold positions of influence in houses of education indoctrination and media, the lie gets embraced without question.
A truth to hold firmly: It is Christian haters who are devoid of love. They may not know it but they express the mind of the devil and he always accuses others of what he is himself. Take a moment to look again at the characteristics of Christian haters. These are the characteristics of the devil himself. Is the devil religious too? someone asks. He most certainly is; religion is his grand forte. No better weapon has he in his armor than religion. Every religion that downgrades or downright denies the Lord Jesus Christ belongs to him. When Christ is not worshiped, he is the one receiving it, even from self-worshippers! The devil is all about himself. That’s why the entire world is immersed in self-love, selfishness and self-righteousness.
Another truth to hold firmly: Christian haters accuse us of being afraid of death. The truth is, they are afraid of death. They should be afraid too because if they pass from here without Christ into eternity, a second death awaits them far worse than the first. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years Revelation 20:6. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death Revelation 21:8. That’s one grand reason why Christians proclaim Christ’s gospel of repentance.
But it is not the only reason! Better reasons by far are the promises of Jesus and His apostle, Paul. The promises of Jesus: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3:16. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life John 5:24. I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though He may (physically) die, he shall live John 11:25. The promises of the apostle Paul: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord Romans 6:23. Death is swallowed up in victory! 1 Corinthians 15:54.
Christian haters will accuse us of living meaningless lives. Well, we are not the ones asking, “What’s the meaning of life?” that’s their question. And they have no answer! If they did, they would give witness to a very different set of characteristics. An additional characteristic not mentioned thus far is envy. But envious, Christian haters are, especially of our certainty in the Bible being the sole divinely inspired, innerant, written revelation of God to mankind. They would love to have certainty in life, but it escapes them always. It has to because the only One authorized of granting it to them they reject. That’s why the apostle Paul tells us those who are without Christ are without hope in the world – plus the eternal world to follow.
Example of a meaningless life: Christian haters possess a, “Thank God it’s Friday” – “I don’t like Mondays” mentality. They immerse themselves in television “reality” shows, “news” programs, sport, food, drink, the Internet and “Social” Media. They purchase daily newspapers but 3 or 4 hours later cannot recall most of what they’ve read. Reading fiction plays an important role in helping pass time away. They dream of a better life but lack the will, initiative and discipline to go after it. Too, they pull down everyone who does go after it and are extremely delighted when he, she or they fail in their pursuits. As for those who do succeed, it makes them mad as hell! Why? It confirms to them their lack of will, initiative and discipline.
Example of a meaningful life: knowing God, peace in God, peace with God, glorifying God and serving God – all in the Name of Jesus Christ, the human manifestation of God. Jesus said when we give God first place in our life, everything else in life is taken care of. That’s why He speaks of it as the eternal life; literally it is God’s life operating in us not only for Him but also for us. Does that mean passively sitting around waiting for God to drop our needs and desires into our lap? No. It means He grants us the will, initiative and discipline to go after them, being safe-guarded by His written word and His Holy Spirit as we do so. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you Matthew 6:33. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent John 17:3.