What is the meaning of Leviticus 19:17? You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart Holding on to inner resentment is forbidden. Love is to rule the hidden places of the heart, not bitterness. Jesus echoes this in Matthew 5:22, warning that anger puts us in danger of judgment. John sharpens the point: “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15). The same call to inward purity appears in Psalm 66:18, reminding us that cherished sin blocks fellowship with God. Practical checkpoints: • When another believer’s name comes up, do you feel a knot of anger or a wave of goodwill? • If the memory of an offense still stings, the heart needs cleansing through forgiveness (Colossians 3:13). Directly rebuke your neighbor Love does not stay silent while sin festers. Jesus gives the pattern: “If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately” (Matthew 18:15). Paul advises, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). Guidelines for a godly rebuke: • Go to the person, not around the person—no gossip (Proverbs 26:20). • Speak truthfully yet humbly, remembering your own need for mercy (Ephesians 4:15). • Aim for restoration, not humiliation (2 Corinthians 2:7-8). So that you will not incur guilt on account of him Silence can make us complicit. God told Ezekiel that failure to warn a sinner leaves the watchman liable for the sinner’s blood (Ezekiel 3:18-19). James echoes the principle: “Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17). By addressing wrongdoing, we free ourselves from shared guilt and open a path for the other person’s repentance. Encouraging outcomes: • The relationship is cleared of hidden stumbling blocks (Romans 12:18). • The church family is protected from spreading harm (1 Corinthians 5:6). • God’s name is honored when truth and love walk together (Psalm 85:10). summary Leviticus 19:17 commands an inner attitude of love, an outward act of honest confrontation, and a mindful concern for shared righteousness. Refusing hatred, speaking truth in love, and guarding one another’s walk keep both hearts and community clean before the Lord. |
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