Proverbs 25:21-22 NKJV

[21] If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; [22] For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

Most of us know what it is like to be hated. I can list at least a handful of people who would rejoice at my failures. If I am completely transparent, I would be hard pressed to admit that I don't share a similar sentiment in that regard towards them. That is an internal struggle because I am human. That is my fight with the flesh.

If we have been wronged or if we are hated, we aren't supposed to carry that bitterness around. It will sour our spirits and rob us of our joy. Righteous anger is justifiable, but no amount of wrongs pardon our misconduct. I follow Jesus. I am not free to represent myself as my flesh desires... I represent Him.

Scripture makes no concessions in the matter.

Ephesians 4:26 - “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27. nor give place to the devil.

I have to wilfully refuse to leave room for the enemy in that space. I have to choose to love God in the way that I act towards others. It is easier said than done. Sanctification isn't simple. If I go do things my way, I already know what happens. In the end, the only thing that matters is how close I am the God.