Should I hate my neighbor?

[Viggo B. Kristoffersen]

My neighbor Mr. Burgaard is helpful, generous, kind and modest. Unfortunately he is also an obnoxious atheist pig.

My question is: How do we as True Christians™, deal with someone like him?

On the one hand, he has indeed a lot of qualities that God really appreciate.

Helpfulness:

Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Romans 15:1
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Kindness:

Genesis 34:21
These men [are] peaceable with us; therefore let them dwell in the land, and trade therein; for the land, behold, [it is] large enough for them; let us take their daughters to us for wives, and let us give them our daughters

Ephesians 4:32.
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you

Generosity:

Matthew 5:7
Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy

2 Corinthians 9:6
But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Proverbs 11:25
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.


On the other hand, he is an enemy of God and True Christians, as he as mentioned is a declared heathen.

2 Chronicles 15:13
That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman..

Deuteronomy 17:12
And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.

I'm clearly leaning towards avoiding any contact with him. Because despite his immediate friendly creature, it’s a fact that he’s listed on The Lords death list, and that seems like the best argument, for me to hate him, at the moment.
At the same time I must admit that I am a bit bewildered here. I hope you can help me with this dilemma.

Thanks in advance

Viggo

[Michelle1991]

Re: Should I hate my neighbor?

Forgive me for sharing my unsaved opinion, but personally I don’t believe that any Christian man should hate his neighbor.

However, I will pray that Jesus will send some folks to beat that evil devil out – and the fear of God into him

Does he have a King James Version of the Bible in his household?

[Brother Temperance]

Re: Should I hate my neighbor?

My neighbor Mr. Burgaard is helpful, generous, kind and modest. Unfortunately he is also an obnoxious atheist pig.

My question is: How do we as True Christians™, deal with someone like him?

Hmm. I turned to the Bible for help, and I found this, which might be relevant:

Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

So, if we're meant to love our enemies, bless those that curse us, and do good to those that hate us, and your neighbour isn't your enemy, doesn't curse you, and doesn't hate you, then it seems reasonable to say that you don't have to love him, bless him or do good to him. Does that help?

[Ezekiel Bathfire]

Re: Should I hate my neighbor?

One of the questions a True Christian should ask himself is, "Is this man an enemy of mine or an enemy of God On High?"

Indeed, to be able to draw souls nearer God, we must show kindness to the potential soul for salvation, however, if the person is an enemy of God, then he is to be despised, isolated and castigated.

All enemies of God are abominations: 2Chr:15:12-13 12And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 13That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

My advice and (coincidentally that of God) is thus to hate him with all your heart and soul.

[Jedediah]

Re: Should I hate my neighbor?

I have a hard time believing that anyone who does not have Jesus in their heart would even be capable of True helpfulness, generosity, and kindness. God tells us what love is in the following verse:

I John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Anything outside of keeping God's commandments is, at best, neutral. In most cases, it is a grievous sin. In the case of an atheist, everything he or she does is, by definition, wickedness.

So while it may seem that a nonbeliever is acting out of generosity when they offer to, for example, help us when our car breaks down on the side of the road, we are to have nothing to do with them. Their kindness and generosity is a canard, a hoax, an elaborate rouse designed to make us think that there is anything positive and worthwhile to be found outside of living the life of righteousness. This is why God commands us to isolate ourselves and have nothing to do with nonbelievers.

II Corinthians 6:14-17
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Is it possible for you to obtain a restraining order against your neighbor? Are you part of a Christian homeowner's association that could force him to move?

[Viggo B. Kristoffersen]

Re: Should I hate my neighbor?

Thank you all kindly for the great advices you provided. I'm no longer in any doubt what to do.
The atheist son of a bitch next door will burn in HELL, and his attemt to seduce me with his "kindness" is revealed.
Even though I'm not blessed with the option to obtain a restraining order against him, I will let him know, that it would be in his best interest to stay away for me. Even in the hell hole of Denmark, we have a right to defend ourself against vicious assaults - And that's a right I intend to use if he ever come close to me again.

Praise The LORD. Amen.

[Tubba Blubba]

Re: Should I hate my neighbor?

Forgive me for sharing my unsaved opinion, but personally I don’t believe that any Christian man should hate his neighbor.

However, I will pray that Jesus will send some folks to beat that evil devil out – and the fear of God into him

Does he have a King James Version of the Bible in his household?

You are right, my dear sister in christ, however, that man is not his neighbour! The KJV makes it clear that unbelievers are not your neighbours, but your enemies.

However, I believe that you should try to guide him to Christ. Certainly, if he were to join your local church, he could be a great benefit, as I am sure he would give generously to charity.

I suggest singing psalms outside his window at night.