It is not difficult for one to make enemies.  At one time or another, we have all encountered people who hurt or provoke us.  It may be a family member, colleague, boss, neighbour, or even a fellow church member.  We may have been misunderstood, snubbed or slighted, wrongly accused, or unjustly treated.  At times, however, things can be the other way round - when we offend others and unwittingly make enemies of them.

The natural reaction to such negative incidents is to harbour a bitter spirit.  Our depraved heart is filled with ill feelings, and a desire to hit out at our tormentors.

Even the best of us have enemies.  As believers, how should we rightfully deal with our enemies?  Let us consider the following Biblical principles:

“Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (Lk. 6: 27-28). 

These are the words of none other than our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.  One of the marks of discipleship is love for others, especially our enemies.  “This is probably one of the most difficult precepts of Christianity.  But the law of Christ on this subject is unyielding” – Albert Barnes.  The Lord told His disciples:  “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?  do not even the publicans the same?” (Mk. 5: 46).   If we only love our benefactors, we are no better than the oppressive publicans who were kind to their friends.  “Even heathens by the light of nature were taught to love those that loved them” – William Burkitt.  As children of God, we are expected to do much more.  While others will render good for good, we must render good for evil (Rom. 12: 17).   

Perhaps we have tried to lay our hurt down, but have failed; the wound runs sore and we find ourselves overwhelmed.  Every effort to love is immediately followed by a welling up of that ever-present resentful spirit.  We may then conclude that it is impossible to love our enemies. 

The Lord has commanded us to love our enemies, and we must obey in spite of our feelings.  Read about the wonderful qualities of unconditional love in I Corinthians 13:  “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;    Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” Ask God for strength and grace to obey Him.  Acknowledge that the Lord has allowed us that injury or negative experience in life (Rom. 8: 28).  See the hand of God behind the person who has hurt or offended us.  Reject that instinctive response to yield to a resentful spirit.  When we are willing to love and to forgive, God does a special work of grace in our heart which will free us from the gall of bitterness.

One writer says: “If we give our hurt to God and refuse to cherish ill will, and take a positive attitude of wishing and praying for God’s best for the one who has wronged us, and if we maintain this position until all bitterness and resentment is swallowed up in a forgiving spirit, then we have actually gained from the attempted injury.”

“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12: 20-21).

The command to do good to those that hate us, is found not only  in the New Testament, but also in the Old:  “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:  For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee” (Prov. 25:  21-22). 

Instead of rejoicing over our enemy’ calamities, we should pity and help him.  This principle was also taught by the Lord through Moses in the Old Testament: “If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.  If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him” (Ex. 23: 4-5).  Following the spirit of the law that forbade personal vengeance, the Israelites were commanded to retrieve and return the beast belonging to their enemies.  “If we are bound to do good to our enemies’ beast, how much more to our enemy himself (Matt. 5: 44)” – Geneva Bible Footnotes.

In showing kindness to the one who has done us ill, we “heap coals of fire on his head.”  This means that our unexpected gracious acts will most likely stir his conscience to desire reconciliation.  In this wise and simple manner, we turn a foe into a friend.  (… to be continued)

- Pastor