Love Hate Relationships 1 Sam. 16: 21 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
You have heard the expression, “they have a love hate relationship.” Well, the truth of the matter is, as you know, a person either loves or hates the other person. He doesn’t have both of these feelings at the same time. What generally happens is that he or she starts out loving the person he or she now hates. If they are still together, they simply tolerate each other. They don’t love each other.
The Bible gives us some good examples of someone who started out loving another person but ended up hating him or her after a certain event. Notice these love hate relationships:
Saul and David – 1 Sam 16:21; 18:7-9, 10-12, 25, 28-29 and so forth. Saul started out loving David greatly and ended up hating him greatly. Saul tried to kill him with a javelin. He tried to get his servants to kill him. He chased David with his army. Saul eventually ran him out of the country. If you are going to do something for the Lord and someone else envies the work the Lord is doing through you, he may likely try to destroy you, even if he says he loves you. Just be prepared for adversity, even from your “friends.”
Amnon and Tamar – 2 Sam 13:1, 4, 14-15 – this is what commonly happens with young lovers. That’s why you don’t want to follow the world in their teenage fornication. Paul said, “Flee fornication.” He said, “Flee youthful lusts.” You may feel like an odd ball for not going along with the trend, but you will save yourself much heartache. That boy who says he loves you will likely hate you one day. That girl who says she loves you will likely hate you one day. And the hatred that they have for you will be far greater than the love they had for you.
You and God – Matt 6:24 – you start out loving and serving God. Then money enters the picture. Pretty soon you’re serving the money and hating God. You say, “I don’t hate God.” Look, the love of money is the root of all evil [1 Tim 6:10]. Covetousness is idolatry [Col 3:5]. People who worship idols hate God [Ex 20:3-5] whether you believe that or not. You cannot serve two masters. You will hate the one and love the other. Be careful with this; and be especially careful when it comes to money. Love God and hate the money.
You and your flesh – Eph 5:29; Lk 14:26 – you start out loving your flesh. That’s natural and normal. Then you get saved. If you continue to love your flesh, you will be carnal. But if you decide to love God and the things of God you will end up hating your flesh. In your flesh you cannot please God [Rom 8:8; Rom 7:18-21]. That’s what’s so tough about the church today. Men are lovers of their own selves [2 Tim 3:2]. They won’t hate their life so that they can abound in love for the Lord and others [Phil 1:9]. Hate the old man and start loving the new man. You’ll be much happier and much more content in the end.
Conclusion: Beware. A man who loves you now, may hate you after he sees how God is using you for his glory. A man may say he loves you in order to convince you to sleep with him and end up showing you unimaginable hatred after he has gotten what he wants. The deep root of the love of money may cause you to inadvertently end up hating God. If you don’t start loving the new man and hating the old man in you, you will never amount to much of a Christian. You’ll be carnal.