Haman . . . was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. (Est. 3:5–6)
Expanded Passage: Esther 3:5-6
Strange things can happen in a person’s mind when they feel someone else doesn’t share their values—whether that “someone else” is a person, or indeed a whole people group, who (in Haman’s words) “keep themselves separate,” and whose “customs are different” (Est. 3:8).
A slight offense, a cultural difference, a single incident, when magnified and generalized to an entire group of people—this can fester into something deadly. Haman’s anger wasn’t just personal—it grew into hatred that would destroy every Jewish person in Susa. Pride left unchecked, like Haman’s, turns to poison. Have you ever held on to an offense so long that it changed your perspective on someone? That is, it caused you to see them as “other”? Maybe it festered so long that you no longer looked to them as image bearers or neighbors, but as threats, obstacles, or persons less deserving of good things.
The Enemy delights in taking small biases, negative experiences, or even wounds, and turning those things into division, just as he did with Haman over Mordecai’s refusal to bow. We must watch for these wounds in our pride and choose to let them go, through God’s grace, lest they turn into poison. When we see wounded pride controlling the view of others, we must protect those who are dehumanized and endangered.
Let go of an offense before it takes root, choosing grace instead.
Ethan Linder is the pastor of discipleship at College Wesleyan Church (IN) and contributing editor for Education and Clergy Development of The Wesleyan Church.
© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
