"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins." (Prov. 10:12)
In Chicago's West Side residential district two neighbors who had lived side by side in perfect harmony for years became involved in a bitter quarrel. Their anger took on grave proportions. Out of spite, one of them built a brick fence 20 feet high. What he found out, however, was that his fence shut out much of the sunshine and light that he had enjoyed so much. And to add to his woes, he discovered the hard way that his high fence was actually illegal.
The moral of the story is this: the person who hates often suffers more than the one whom he hates. Paul said, "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:17-21).
Aaron Veyon
