Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. Proverbs 10:18
There is so much in that little verse. First, it acknowledges the fact that not a single one of us can honestly say we don't harbor hatred in our hearts at times. But denying it, pretending it isn't there, or even keeping it inside is wrong. On the other hand, to vent that hatred or anger with words that slander or tear others down is sin as well. It kind of leaves you with this feeling of hanging in between two extremes. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't. Where's the balance? Well, I think it looks like brutal honesty with ourselves and others about the sinful condition of our hearts AND expressing it in a humble, repentant way that shows respect and love to those we might normally call "enemies." Face it. We all have people we struggle to love. Maybe even those we just don't like. There's no shame in hiding that. It's in me, that is, in my sinful nature. But that never releases me from the responsibility to love them and always speak words that build them up rather than tear them down.
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