Enemies are not always people who physically attack you. They are not even always obvious. Your enemies can attend the same Church, work in ministry with you, and smile when you talk to them. This is an unfortunate truth. (And we must do our part to make sure we are not enemy to a sister in Christ.) Webster’s defines an enemy as someone looking to injure, overthrow, or confuse an opponent. One who is antagonistic to another.
How do I treat those who persecute, use, or hurt me?
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Luke 6:27-28
Jesus tells us to love them. Do good to them. Bless them, and pray for them. This sounds like a difficult plan. And it is. Except for Christ, we cannot possibly carry this out. Again in another passage in Luke we read it this way:
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 6:35-36
We are commanded here to love our enemies, do good, and lend to them- expecting nothing in return! We are also commanded to be merciful. (Give grace when it is not merited.) We read here that the way we treat others is not to be conditional on how they treat us. Don’t place expectations on others. Just because you have decided to love them, and do good for them, does not mean they will return that sentiment to you. And that’s OK. Let the love of God shine through your life. We are commanded to be salt and light. Difference makers.
But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.
Exodus 23:22
Let God handle those enemies and adversaries. Just obey Him! Believe me, he can handle the situations better than we ever could.
