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How to Love Your Enemies and Those Who Persecute You – Viral Believer
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How to Love Your Enemies and Those Who Persecute You

Introduction

As Christians, we are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. This commandment is not easy to follow, but it is essential for the overall well-being of society. By demonstrating the love of Christ to those around us, we can heal and transform even the most broken and divided communities.

In this essay, we will explore how we can love our enemies and those who persecute us, using biblical examples and teachings. We will examine the verses that emphasize this essential commandment and learn practical ways to apply it in our daily lives. We will be reminded that forgiveness, kindness, and prayer are powerful ways to love our enemies and overcome evil with good.

Bible Verses About Love

By the end of this essay, we hope to inspire and encourage our fellow Christians to love their enemies as Christ loved us. We will learn that loving our enemies may not be easy, but it is achievable and necessary to build a better world. Let us begin our journey towards a more loving and forgiving community, following the example of Christ, who loved us even while we were sinners.

love in the Bible

What does the Bible say about loving your enemies?

The Bible is full of verses that teach us to love our enemies. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus said, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This commandment is not optional, but a requirement for every Christian. We are not only to love those who love us back, but even those who hate us.

Another verse that emphasizes this commandment is Luke 6:35, “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” This verse shows us that loving our enemies is not only about being kind to them but also about being obedient to God’s commands.

Furthermore, in Romans 12:20-21, we read, “On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” These verses teach us that we are not only to love our enemies but also to do good to them.

How can we love our enemies?

Loving our enemies is not easy, but it is achievable. The following are some practical ways that we can love our enemies.

Pray for them

One of the most powerful weapons that we have as believers is prayer. We can pray for our enemies and ask God to soften their hearts and change their ways. We can pray for their salvation and ask God to bless them. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus said that we should pray for our enemies.

Show kindness

Another way to love our enemies is by showing them kindness. We can speak kind words to them, help them with their needs, and do good things to them. In Proverbs 25:21-22, we read, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”

Forgive them

Forgiveness is an essential part of loving our enemies. We need to forgive them for the wrong that they have done to us. Forgiveness is not easy, but it is necessary. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus said, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Examples from the Bible on loving our enemies

The Bible gives us many examples of people who loved their enemies. One of the most inspiring examples is that of Joseph. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery. However, instead of harboring bitterness and hatred towards his brothers, Joseph forgave them and showed them love. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Joseph’s forgiveness and love towards his brothers not only restored their relationship but also saved many lives.

Another example is that of David. When David was being pursued by Saul, who wanted to kill him, David had the opportunity to kill Saul but chose not to. Instead, David spared Saul’s life and showed him kindness. In 1 Samuel 24:17-18, David said to Saul, “May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.” David’s love and forgiveness towards Saul not only spared his life but also won Saul’s heart.

Conclusion

In conclusion, loving our enemies is not only a commandment of God but also an act of obedience to Him. It takes courage and strength to love those who hurt us, but it is achievable with the help of the Holy Spirit. We can pray for our enemies, show them kindness, and forgive them as we walk in the footsteps of Christ. This does not only benefit us spiritually but also brings peace and reconciliation to our relationships.

As Christians, we have a responsibility to demonstrate the love of Christ to those around us, even to our enemies. The world is full of hate and bitterness, but we can counteract that by showing love and forgiveness. We can be a light in the darkness and bring hope to those who are hurting. Let us always remember that we were once enemies of God, and it is only by His grace that we are forgiven and loved. We should, therefore, follow His example and love our enemies as well.

Finally, let us not forget that loving our enemies may not always result in a change of heart from those who hurt us. But, in loving them, we are obeying God’s commandment, and that is more important than any outcome. We may also be planting a seed in their hearts that may one day germinate and flourish. Let us, therefore, love our enemies, as we live a life that honors God and demonstrates His love to all people.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.