Thread by @RelevantQuest

Lewis believed nothing must frustrate the devil so much as his inability to create. Satan can only corrupt existing creations thru the hands of mortal subordinates. Love becomes lust, nourishment becomes gluttony, joy becomes empty pleasure. Nothing serves him until it’s twisted.

https://twitter.com/essentiallewis/status/1309890285170810880

Evil itself is not a “thing,” but the absence of good. Dark is the absence of light. Cold is the absence of heat. Hate is the absence of love. It has been rightfully claimed that hate is not actually love’s opposite: The opposite of love is hunger—to need love & never be filled.

In an eternal sense, God being Love Itself, the absence of love—the absence of the Lord—creates a hunger that never satiates. This emptiness is an anguish that never sleeps. If you see hate in another’s eyes, you are witnessing hunger for love.

Many of those who hate are in this condition bc they have refused the love that would fill them. As Lewis said, human history is the long, sad story of people searching for anything else but God to make them happy. The hate you witness is a product of pain & hunger in the soul.

This is not an excuse for cruelty. We will each answer for our sins. It is, however, a compelling reason for Christ’s imperative to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, & pray for them which despitefully use you & persecute you.” (Matt5)

If you have & observe the gospel of Jesus Christ, hallelujah! You are blessed w/o measure. You live in the love & light of heaven daily. Now, your Father implores, love your enemies. They’re in pain, they are hungry & empty & falling away. They’re his children & your siblings.

You need not place yourself in a position of personal vulnerability. Destructive personalities must be loved from a distance. God loves you, too—he does not demand you fall victim to toxic behavior in order to love someone.

However, no matter how vile the oppressor, do NOT return hate in kind, lest you make yourself a devil. Pray for Godly pity on all who despise you. Preach righteousness, show forgiveness, shine light. Darkness is the absence of light. Leave no corner within you for poison to hide.