1 John 2:11: But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.


My friend, John has given here a tremendous statement: “He that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.” If you want to know for sure that you are a child of God, apply this test to your own life. If you are hating your brother, you are dwelling in darkness. If you are loving your brother, you are dwelling in light. The Christian life is like a triangle. God is at the top of the triangle, and the light of God comes down into your heart and life. Your love for God goes up, for you love Him because He first loved you. If you are walking in the light down here, it means you are going to love your brother also. You cannot say you love God and hate your brother. That is absolutely impossible, and John will make this very clear. 1

Loving Him

Is your heart filled with more love or hate? More encouragement or resentment? More unity or divisiveness? More humility or self-importance? Are you using words to build up others, or tear them down? Your answers will reveal if you are living in the darkness or living in the light. Has the darkness blinded you from the truth of reality?

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. 1 Peter 2:1

Loving Others

You will lose your way when you allow the darkness of hatred to prevail. – TWEET IT

Changing Me

Lord, keep me from having a tainted heart, which will only lead to hating another.


1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (1 John) (electronic ed., Vol. 56). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

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Tommy Blumberg

Tommy Blumberg

Tommy Blumberg was ordained as a Calvary Chapel pastor in 1985, where he served as an assistant pastor at Calvary Fellowship, in Seattle. In 1992, Pastor Tom, his wife Pam, and their three daughters moved to Bellingham and began a Bible study, which led to the founding of Calvary Chapel Northwest. Tom blogs regularly at TommyBlumberg.com.