Malice is a state of mind that we cannot afford. That is why Jesus said to pray for your enemies. And to do good to those that hurt you. We do in fact hurt ourselves by having thoughts of malevolence towards others. Even if we must oppose someone. Let it be from a position of necessity, springing from the light of protecting or caring for others. Not coming from a self-serving position of bitter arrogance.

There is no room in the heart of God for hate. Likewise there is no room for it, in the hearts of those who love and serve Him. Discord is a sure stamp of the enemy. Bitterness in our own hearts indicates an unhealthy state of being. And an unwillingness to make peace or be peaceful with others is a likely stamp of the evil one’s influence and perhaps control.

There are certainly times that we cannot come to an agreement with others, that do not represent a state of internal disharmony. Such as when Jesus opposed the Pharisees and the Sadducees and ran the money changers out of the Temple. This was not hate, bitterness or Discord that compelled Jesus to oppose others but a motive to defend right, good and truth. So motive is key!!!

We need to make sure that our hearts are clean. It is easy to say that we are righteously indignant, when we oppose others. But most times we are just unwilling to have hearts of forgiveness and love, if it makes us change our own opinion & position.

For, it should be our most common practice to care for and uplift others, even when their viewpoints oppose our own.. And even in the occasion true Godly motivations mean we have to oppose others; it should be absolutely clear that we are just supporting and upholding the cause of good. Not just wanting our own selfish interest.

It is so easy to claim to have a righteous Viewpoint that causes you to oppose others. But 9 times out of 10, this is our own insecurity and inadequacy, not a true cry for Justice.

So the point remains: that a Beattitude’s disposition will rule in the heart of Christ’s true disciple. Bitterness, Unforgiveness, Pride, Arrogance, Contempt and Malice do not belong in the heart or mind, of The Christ follower. The serenity that comes from obeying The Father, by having a heart full of love for The Savior & our fellow man must take the place of these things….

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 NLT
“”If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;[a] but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance””