My Answer

on Nov 4, 2026

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: When I watch hatred and war daily, and while I try not to hate those who oppose, I just don’t have it in me to overlook the enemy. How can I change this? – L.E.

A: Hate is pervasive in a world of war. Millions of dollars are spent generating sufficient hate to keep the world in a mood of war. The way of the world is tyranny, war, and chaos. But the world that God created in the beginning was built on love rather than hate. What happened? God put man in a perfect setting, blessing him with everything needed for life in paradise, but man sinned against Him – willfully sinned against His Creator and His God.

It was love which sent Christ to the cross. It was love which inspired these words of Jesus: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:43–45, NKJV).

Jesus instilled the spirit of Christian love in His followers so that they lived without malice and died without rancor.

When H.G. Wells summed up the influence of Jesus in history, he said, “Is it any wonder that this Galilean is too much for our small hearts?” And yet the heart of man, though small, is big enough for Christ to live in if man will only make room for Him.

The love that Christ talked about can only be given to us by God. When you come to Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Savior, He gives you a supernatural love. Your past is forgiven, and you receive a power to love people, beyond your natural ability to love.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)