Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. If someone says, “I love God,” and yet he hates his brother or sister, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother and sister whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 1 John 4:1, 7-8, 20
A wet blanket smothers and it seeps into anything it lies on. This is the property and actions of hate. Has hate seeped into various areas of your life? This world is awash in hate. Our culture celebrates hate and pride. Everywhere one turns in this world they are met with hate. The enemies of God are working nonstop to spread and amplify hate over any reason they can make up. Skin color, eye color, and any difference in the created beauty from the Father is turned into hate. Hate yourself. Hate the body God gave you. Hate your neighbor. Hate especially the opposite political party and anyone associated with it. Hate your boss. Hate your job. Hate your fellow students. Hate your teacher. And hate your family, parents, brothers, and sisters. Everywhere we turn we are being taught and told to hate.
God is love. And His enemies hate that too. Can you discern the difference between love and hate?
Does a child who is encountering discipline from their parent view that discipline as …love? Our problem has been that the definition of love has been changed by the enemies of God, and so many believed those lies. Even we as parents despite having evil in our lives know how to give good gifts to our children – understand that love means more than the lie the enemy has perpetrated.
God LOVES … and He disciplines BECAUSE of that LOVE.
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by Him.
For the Lord disciplines the one He loves,
and chastises every son whom He receives.”
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:5-11
If you want to remain in the refuge of God you must put away ALL hate that has seeped into your life, and ask for His love to restore you and permeate every part of you. It is God that is LOVE. Are you asking Him to restore your union with Him?
Be wise. Be in tune with His Holy Spirit … asking for His discernment. Test the spirits. Know the Truth.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
Jesus IS the Truth.