Urban Dictionary defines a hater as a person who cannot be happy for another person’s success. A hater exposes flaws in another person instead of supporting them.

A culture has been bred where everyone thinks they have haters. Everywhere I turn I see selfies with “#hihaters” captions. Oh, and let us not neglect the memes dedicated to a so-called hater. Based on the definition above it seems to me that being hated on is dependent upon a measure of success. Success, however, is subjective. People don’t always share the same insights in defining success. Yet and still hater rages on is a universal term?

The reality is this… Most of us don’t live up to our full potential day in and day out. What are we doing that has such an impact that it has garnished us with haters? Why do we spend so much time and energy on haters? Who are these people? What do we have that they want so badly? What do we do that they dream of being able to? What successes have we achieved that they should subscribe to?

I believe that deep down people want haters. And they think of themselves more highly than they ought to as a result. (Matt. 23:12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. NKJV) I hear more talk about haters than friends and supporters. I used to talk about haters too. It was when I decided to stop being self-righteous I realized that I neither have nor desire haters. Why? I have nothing to expose. I am still working towards success. My success is defined by me and is not contingent upon the opinions of others. I no longer feel the need to go out of my way to acknowledge negative opinions. I can’t understand why anyone would. If I had haters today I wouldn’t even know. I certainly wouldn’t celebrate them.

Hate is a powerful word. It should not be taken so lightly. Hate is the antithesis and antidote to love. Hate drives out love. Hate dwells in ignorance. Hate ignites violence. Hate is a breeding ground for illness for those who hold onto it. Hate has no value and is no respecter of human decency. When I think of hate I think of evil from which it is derived. I also believe that most people who relish the word hater haven’t experienced hate. It was hate that produced enslavement and heinous crimes against humanity. Should we really walk around bragging about people hating on us?

It’s time to stop! Stop exalting ourselves by claiming that people want to be us and want what we have. Stop thinking a person with an opinion contrary to ours is a hater. Stop trying to convince ourselves of how great we are by actions of those who look upon us. I do think there are people who are jealous. People who are envious. People who covet other people’s possessions. Just like hate, these characteristics have a root in sin. Sin comes from the enemy. The same enemy who comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10 NKJV). He has perverted society to delight in the idea of haters. We think if we have haters we have arrived. Quite the contrary. If you do have haters you need to protect yourself. You need to pray for them. Stop drawing them nearer to you by calling them by name. Most importantly stop concerning yourself so much with negative opinions from others.

Once you define what success means to you press towards the mark. Give more of yourself to eliminate being exposed. It brings a sense of gratitude to know that you are doing something with purpose, for the good. To those who can’t be happy with your successes… you will find your support elsewhere. Walk with your head held high, hater free. Bye haters!