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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
Hatred to Exist as Long as Sin Exists—Hatred of the pure prin-
ciples of truth, and reproach and persecution of its advocates, will
exist as long as sin and sinners remain. The followers of Christ and
the servants of Satan cannot harmonize.—
The Great Controversy,
507
(1888).
Reproof Arouses Hatred—The same spirit that prompted rebel-
lion in heaven still inspires rebellion on earth.... Reproof of sin still
arouses the spirit of hatred and resistance. When God’s messages
of warning are brought home to the conscience, Satan leads men to
justify themselves and to seek the sympathy of others in their course of
sin. Instead of correcting their errors, they excite indignation against
the reprover, as if he were the sole cause of difficulty. From the
days of righteous Abel to our own time, such is the spirit which has
been displayed toward those who dare to condemn sin.—
The Great
Controversy, 500
(1888).
Envy Arouses Hatred—Though Saul was ever on the alert for
an opportunity to destroy David, he stood in fear of him, since it
[526]
was evident that the Lord was with him. David’s blameless character
aroused the wrath of the king; he deemed that the very life and presence
of David cast a reproach upon him, since by contrast it presented his
own character to disadvantage. It was envy that made Saul miserable
and put the humble subject of his throne in jeopardy.
What untold mischief has this evil trait of character worked in our
world! The same enmity existed in the heart of Saul that stirred the
heart of Cain against his brother Abel, because Abel’s works were
righteous, and God honored him, and his own works were evil, and
the Lord could not bless him. Envy is the offspring of pride, and if
it is entertained in the heart, it will lead to hatred and eventually to
revenge and murder. Satan displayed his own character in exciting the
fury of Saul against him who had never done him harm.—
Patriarchs
and Prophets, 651
(1890).
A Sinful Emotion—The law of God takes note of the jealousy,
envy, hatred, malignity, revenge, lust, and ambition that surge through
the soul, but have not found expression in outward action because the
opportunity, not the will, has been wanting. And these sinful emotions
will be brought into the account in the day when “God shall bring every
work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or