You've undoubtedly encountered people who are unable to control their vitriol. A 'mean-spirited' person is unkind, ungenerous, and unforgiving. That recalcitrant disposition often turns into hateful, rude, spiteful aspersions.
This sinful compulsion (gratifying oneself at someone else's expense) is a symptom of man's fallen nature ... Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, and selfish ambitions. (Galatians 5:19-20)
Most human beings learn socially acceptable ways of interacting, but underneath lies a latent desire to want things our own way. Try as we might, curbing this selfish impulse is hard to do ... especially when life seems unfair.
Outside of having a saving relationship with Christ, 'self-centeredness' is deeply rooted in one's psyche. It may not be as uncontrolled as that of the aforementioned 'mean-spirited' - but it's there.
Faith in Jesus sets you free from that mindset ... He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5:15)
That which is imparted into the soul of a believer is in direct opposition to the old nature ... The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22)
Though venomous 'mean-spirited' people seem far from God's grace, the Gospel message can change all that ... Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
It was a 'vengeful' Saul who became the Apostle Paul.
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