Both Old Testament and New Testaments have much to say about malice, this insidious desire to inflict injury or suffering or even death on another. But no matter how you look at it, the greatest portion of its venom always remains with the one possessing it.

Perhaps there is no tragedy in the annals of history that affirms this truth more than that of King Saul. Biblical records describe his great malice toward the boy David as well as the fall of his dynasty.

It is truly sad because Saul was a man of renown in his own rights. He worshipped God and possessed great military ability. In fact, it was because of the outstanding leadership skills he demonstrated in defeating the Ammonites that he was made Israels King. Later, on one of his bouts he caught sight of David and made him Commander of his Army.

Now David was young and daring and on the occasion of his returning from pursuing the Philistines, the Israelites had, as was their custom, been greeted in every city by choruses of singing women. They came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul singing and dancing and playing instruments of music unto their heroes. In the midst of their merrymaking, they sung, Saul has killed his thousands, David his ten thousands.

If we examine this song from a petty point of view, as did King Saul, it would seem to imply that they loved or was praising David more that Saul. This displeased the King because in his mind, David was getting more accolades.

As I studied this situation, I realized that many of us are not unlike King Saul today. We envy others with contempt of heart and malice of mind. So much so we render ourselves incapable of thinking logically or positively because of the evil residing in our hearts. Saul found himself suffering from an overdose of hatred for the young shepherd boy. So warped was his mind and heart that every fresh success of David only deepened and embittered this feeling.

There are many, many people walking around our neighborhoods, communities, cities with malice in their hearts. They are a danger to others and to themselves. The malice thriving in their hearts is a great enemy to mankind.

Sauls ultimate decline was brought on by no one other than himself. He was too narrow to have believed that the fault was in him. Some people are too hard and too opinionated to repent. Many of us like to blame others for our own shortcomings, for our own failures. We are always talking about what somebody made us do. No one can make us hate. Hatred is a parasite. It must feed upon something so it feeds on the hearts of men and women and leaves its ugly mark. Saul first begins to feel envy. But soon this envy develops into malice and hatred and resulted in his several attempts to kill David.

The child of God has no room in his life or heart for malice. Our hearts, soul and minds are filled with the love of God. By the grace of God we have rid ourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from our lips. Colossians 3:8.