Read Leviticus 19:11-18

“‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.” — Leviticus 19:17

Right in the middle of the Book of Leviticus — in the midst of a slew of moral laws — is a hidden principle that carries itself through the rest of the Scriptures. It’s fundamental to being a godly person and it requires real character to put into action. The foundation of this principle comes from what our Lord calls The Second Greatest Commandment.

“Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”” (Matthew 22:37–40)

But the real question is: What does loving your neighbor as yourself look like practically? We all readily submit ourselves to the principle on paper, yet it can seem ambiguous to submit to in real life. This verse in Leviticus bridges that gap for us. It unpacks the second greatest commandment and speaks on being a godly neighbor in three ways.

First, this command speaks of goodwill: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart." A godly man seeks the goodwill of his neighbor, not just in a manner of speaking, but truly from the heart. And how much more ought this to be so between brothers and sisters in Christ? Practical goodwill is not enough. It is a monstrous hypocrisy to appear to love in deed, but harbor contempt within.

Dear friend, is there a neighbor you hold in contempt? Is there a brother or sister in Christ you resent? Or perhaps, more seriously, is there unusual hostility bound within your heart whenever you’re crossed? Let us not be too quick to justify ourselves. It’s easy to deny such sins, but the rotten fruit of hatred always reveals its putridness. The sure symptoms of hatred include being quick to speak and slow to hear; believing the worst before of believing the best; showing hostility before love; outbursts of wrath before self-control; and contentiousness before diplomacy (see Galatians 5:19-21).

“He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.” (1 John 2:9)

Secondly, this command speaks of courage. “You shall surely rebuke your neighbor." Ah — I love the grit of this! How many problems, misunderstandings, and miscommunications could be resolved if we just put these six words into action? True love doesn't let conflict fester! True godliness doesn't let bitterness take root. True character doesn't give the devil a lick of space to spoil the heart! Go to your neighbor, Christian, and hash it out! Be lovingly courageous. For who knows how God will use you in such times of boldness.

It is grievous how often God’s people meddle around and gossip to everyone in their path, but fail to talk to the person they are in conflict with. This kind of cowardice does not belong! It is the hidden sin of Achan that defiles the whole camp and does not allow victory until it is dug up and cast out! (see Joshua 7)

Our Lord commands —

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.” (Matthew 18:15)

Third, this command speaks of a good conscience: “[You shall] not bear sin because of him." The consequences are clear. To allow such conflicts to go unchecked only produce sin within. As much as depends on us, everything must be done to live at peace with all men and serve God with a clean conscience (see Romans 12:18). Granted — not all conflicts are resolvable, but there is never an excuse for fleshly hatred, bitter envy, and unbridled gossip.

Beloved, let us not rob one another any longer, nor be robbed ourselves of all that Christ wants to do in and through us. Is missing out on revival for your own stubbornness a good trade? We must be able to serve Him with a good conscience and a sincere faith. Therefore, stop bearing sins, but rather bear one another’s burdens through longsuffering and forgiveness (see Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:2; 1 Timothy 5:22).

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:8, 10)

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