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Enemies

What can you do about your enemies? How can you cope with a person who threatens you or is hostile toward you? God has the answer to these questions.

The Word of God teaches us not to be bitter, hostile or vengeful toward another person. You might not like what others do or say, but you must love them as Christ commanded. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:43-48 demonstrates how you should act. Rather than react in retaliation, you are to love those who hate you. Satan is the source of contention (Ephesians 6:12) and would have you make others your enemies. Your fleshly nature allows him the opportunity to deceive you (Gal. 5:19-21). God wants your fleshly nature replaced with His nature, the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23). Remember, Jesus Himself forgave those who crucified Him by saying on the cross, "Father forgive them for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34).

What Scripture Says
God's Answer
As You Pray
Suggested Reading

What Scripture Says

Go out of your way to help your enemy: "If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it" (Exodus 23:4-5).

Do not rejoice when your enemy is down: "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him" (Proverbs 24:17-18).

Love your enemies: "But I say to you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.

"Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.

"But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Highest. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven" (Luke 6:27-37).

Allow God to deal with your enemies: "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.... Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:14, 19-21).

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God's Answer

For God to help you work out your problems, you must first be assured that you have been forgiven for your own sins. Have you asked the Lord to forgive you? If not, do so right now. Repent of all known sin, including any feelings of enmity toward another.

You cannot afford to entertain even the thought of declaring someone your enemy. It will hurt you to harbour hate (which is as the sin of murder) in your heart. For your own physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, evaluate your feelings and attitudes. Are they Christ-like? Pray for the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, peace, joy, goodness, kindness, meekness, patience and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23). God will produce love within you, which may not have been there before. Ask God to forgive your attitude, especially feelings of bitterness, resentment and hate. Also forgive your enemy and ask God to forgive him/her.

If possible, go to your former enemy and together confront the conflict between you. Genuinely ask for forgiveness, no matter what the response or attitude is toward you. As you love your enemy, you will gain a new brother or sister in Christ, according to God's Word (Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:17-21). Pray with your new friend and seek ways to cultivate peace and harmony in the relationship.

If your heart is not right toward another, God will not accept your worship. He will only honour your relationship with Him when that broken human relationship is corrected (Matthew 7:3-5). You may then ask in good conscience and faith to be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). The Holy Spirit will help you live a godly, blessed life—free from the bondage of sin. He will give you love for all—even your former enemies.

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As You Pray

Thank God for His love and patience. Admit that your feelings and attitudes have not been Christ-like. Ask Him to forgive you and give you a genuine love for your former enemy. Ask God to forgive your new friend for anything he/she may have done or said against you. Thank God for giving you love for your friend and for showing you ways to cultivate it. Pray for your friend to be blessed of God and pray that he/she will be given a great love for you also.

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Enemies

What Scripture Says

God's Answer

As You Pray

Suggested Reading

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