In an Easter context, the provided text reflects on the profoundly negative spiritual and moral implications of expressing malice, specifically using the disturbing example of desiring a neighbor's death. The author, Sarai Hannah Ajai, argues that such hateful expressions transcend legal definitions of criminal intent, representing a severe departure from divine commandments and Christian principles of love and peace. Drawing upon biblical verses, the piece contrasts humanity's vengeful thoughts with God's path of redemption and restoration. Ultimately, the text serves as a call for those harboring malice to repent and embrace the transformative power of Easter, urging a shift from hatred and immorality towards kindness and spiritual renewal, while also offering solace to those targeted by such negativity.

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Malice, Redemption, and the Easter Call to Renewal

A Special Easter Sunday Message from the “Nation In Focus” Podcast

Written by: Sarai Hannah Ajai

The Darkness Behind Words of Hate

Easter Sunday is a sacred time in the Christian calendar, a day of triumph, renewal, and resurrection. It is a day when light breaks through darkness, life overcomes death, and love defeats hatred. Yet, as we gather in this spirit of hope, we must also reflect on the troubling realities of our present world, especially when darkness seeks to disguise itself in words, harsh, harmful, and even dangerous ones.

Recently, a deeply disturbing statement surfaced: “I want to hoe my neighbor to death out of existence.” Though crude in wording, what lies beneath this phrase is a manifestation of an express malice, a willful, deliberate desire to cause harm. From a legal standpoint, this falls under what is termed “express criminal intent”, a conscious decision to inflict harm, and possibly violence, upon another person. But spiritually, this is much more than a legal issue; it is a heart issue, a moral and divine crisis.

Such a statement embodies the very essence of immorality, a stark deviation from God’s commandments and the social duties we owe one another. Immorality, in its many forms, slander, injustice, lewdness, profaneness are already a break from divine order. But when it rises to the level of express malice, it becomes not just rebellion against man, but against God Himself.

Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

God does not condone hate, and He does not share in the vengeful thoughts of man. His ways are rooted in redemption, not revenge; in restoration, not ruin.

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