Love Your Enemies. Its the Answer

“In a speech Abraham Lincoln delivered at the height of the Civil War,


he referred to the Southerners as fellow human beings who were in 
error.

An elderly lady chastised him for not calling them irreconcilable 
enemies who must be destroyed.

“Why, madam,” Lincoln replied, 
“do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”

We live in a society that tells us that we should hate are enemies and repay them with evil. I know the feeling when we are angered by the hurt, disappointment, setback, lies, pain, and the list goes on. Our flesh tells us to be angry and get revenge, making it appear that are revenge would produce the most satisfaction. Loving our enemy not only sounds insane, but also sounds like a loser mentality based on the world standards. What we fail to understand is that hating our enemy does more damage to our spiritual and physical being. I can’t help but to think of David and his many refusals to attack his enemies, Saul and his son Absalom. Despite their many attempts to kill him, he loved them. That same love in the mist of persecution brought him more success as a Man of God. In fact, Saul (his enemy) couldn’t understand why a man that he constantly attempted to kill spared his life so many times. He even cried about it on several occasions. As believers, we must understand that God fight our battles and we must never attempt to play God and take matters into our own hands. When we are obedient, God is faithful. He always does His part. Psalms 121: Says, “He will not let your foot slip– he who watches over you will not slumber”

Why would Abraham Lincoln state that loving are enemies actually destroys them? One thing we must always remember is fighting takes two. When you return hurt with love, the opposing party usually has no choice but to return love back. Can one person argue and fight with oneself? NO, it takes two to tango. Love diffuses the situation. The next time you are confronted with an argument with a friend or a spouse, instead of arguing simply say I love you and hug them (in a non antagonizing way). Secondly, our enemies and/or those that cause us harm usually do so to provoke a response. They want and expect you to respond. When you don’t respond in the manner in which they expect makes them feel dumb and realize their tactics to hurt you was pointless. They do fail to achieve their goal. The goal of the enemy is to harm you, but an African proverb says when there is no enemy within the enemy on the outside can do us no harm. They want to see you down, but you have to always stay up by showing love in the mist of anger and frustration. Love is the remedy and answer. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Lastly, you must love your enemies because the Word of God says so. Heck Jesus did it on the cross. Matthew 5:44 says But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. How is that for starters? Jesus says to not only love them, but also pray for them. PRAY FOR YOUR HATERS, LOL. It is very easy to make an argument about this topic, but it is as simple as it sounds. It will not only make your life easier, but also bless those that persecute you. Besides, what better time is there to show love than when it seems impossible? It is easy to love someone when they are showing you love, but go the extra mile and love the one that seems to hate you. It could be your boss, a coworker, an ex, a teacher, or a neighbor. Here are a couple of scriptures to help you along the way.

Luke 6:27 – “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”

Exodus 23:5 – If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.

Acts 7: 60 – And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Mark 11:25 – And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”