How to Love Your Enemies

We all have people we don’t get along with, people we don’t see eye to eye with, people who frustrate or annoy or anger us. Whatever name just came to mind first for you is probably the relationship that fits one of those categories.

But we’re quick to downplay our enemies. We dismiss our bitterness, often choosing to simply ignore these feelings out of fear of actually addressing them. So we continue to go about our days and convince ourselves it’s fine, it was no big deal. But our actions show otherwise as we slowly build up resentment every time we don’t say how we’re feeling. And suddenly it’s become easy to be mean to them, to bring them down in front of others, and to be selfish when it comes to that relationship.

So how can we not just talk the talk, but also walk the walk of loving our enemies?

Luke 6:27-31 says, “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

Don’t be like the world. God wants SO MUCH MORE for you! He wants you to have relationships that flourish, that are noticeably different from the relationships around you. So take a few minutes this morning to pray through how you can better love your enemies. And have the courage to put action behind your words.