“Derangement Syndrome”
In “Trump Derangement Syndrome: The Danger of Hatred Clouding Perception,” author Majid Rafizadeh made a very interesting assessment regarding hatred.
“In the end, the greatest danger of this mindset is not simply unfair criticism of a president. The deeper problem is that it weakens the ability of society to confront serious threats. When political hatred becomes so intense that it overrides basic judgment, it becomes difficult to distinguish between legitimate criticism and reflexive opposition. Perception of reality itself is broken.”
Sadly, we see this playing out in our nation presently. Because the perception of reality is broken, political parties are increasingly hamstrung from working together to address the critical threats we face as a people. But even worse, this same affliction can and does affect the Church of God. Now, prior to Passover, is the right time for us to examine ourselves in this matter.
In Moses’ time, God said, “‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:17–18). Hating in our hearts and bearing grudges work closely together. God would not have stated it this way if it were not so.
How serious is it to hold a grudge? To the church, James wrote, “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” (KJV James 5:9). Christ is our judge, and He reads our heart despite what it is we openly say or secretly think of or to a fellow believer. We also know that grudges held on to can affect others. Given time, we can be drawn into taking sides, whereby division and disunity can fester and grow. And from Proverbs 6:9, we know that he who sows discord is an abomination to God – thus … judgement.
Our very perception of reality can be broken through grudges that develop into full-blown hatred. It can become, if allowed, our own spiritual derangement syndrome. The Apostle Paul explains, “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” “Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:15, 19).
Now is the proper time to examine ourselves.
Marshall Stiver
