Whom Do You Despise?

For most of us “good Christians,” our first response to this question is to say that we despise no one. After all, we are called to love everyone, and despising anyone would be a violation of that command. Okay. But back to reality. If we’re honest with ourselves (first) and others (second), most of us despise some people. In fact, it’s probably true that an awful lot of us despise an awful lot of people. So here’s a slightly easier way to think of it. Who do you look down on? And what does it mean that you look down on them? Who has the capacity to make you angry? And why do you get so angry at them? I don’t so much mean particular people so much as kinds of people. Perhaps it’s people who are wealthier or more beautiful than you. Perhaps it’s fans of the wrong sports team. Perhaps it’s people who have no taste in clothing. Perhaps it’s people who eat unhealthily. Perhaps it’s people who drive rudely. Perhaps it’s subscribers to pornography. Perhaps it’s people who preach heresy. So, today, let’s talk about who you despise and what we can learn from despising.