Do What For My Enemies?

There are so many verses in the Bible that we can quote effortlessly, but to live the principle out practically—that’s another story.  One is how Jesus taught us to pray for our enemies, to bless those that curse us, to do good to those who cause harm to us (Matthew 5:44). 

I recently had to duke it out with this biblical command when I learned someone, I cared about had put me on their enemies list.  My impulse was to write them off as well. But having an active Holy Spirit detector within me, my heart recognized that my mind was off kilter.

No one likes to think they have actual “enemies” in their life — especially ones near to them.  But in our deeply divided world of evolving social norms, political hostilities and biblical illiteracy, the lines are more deeply drawn and contrary opinions quickly build walls cemented in hate.

I often grapple with when I should speak and when I should remain silent. I try to rely on the Holy Spirit to be my gauge before I press “send” on social media, but there have been more than a few times that my fleshly fingers did not cooperate.

So, what to do if there is an offense?

Pray! 

The wrong way to pray is what I often do when hurt:    pray they wake up and see the error of their ways.  My inner pain is what drives the moment. It often reveals where I am spiritually, especially when I refuse to overlook the hurt. The I’m done with them attitude can rule the moment. I don’t recall thinking God is done with me when I fail him.

 I heard it preached that we are to pray for our enemies in the same way you want them to pray for you.  That surely changes the paradigm.

I know this works because it’s God’s word. Think about it this way:  if you bring your hurts to the Lord and cite your enemies name asking for help with them and for them, what you are doing is silencing Satan? 

How did Satan get in this conversation?    He’s our main enemy and accuser.  “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:  ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah.  For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night has been hurled down’” (Revelation 12:10).

Satan attempts to rub our failings in Jesus’s face, but being in a posture of humility through pain and judgement gives us fresh insight into the Lord.

Consider how Jesus handled attacks.  We are told to  “fix our eyes on Him the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God “(Hebrews 12:2). 

So, speaking to women on this topic, here are some important scientific tools to consider when battling hurt or being called an enemy.  Science confirms that we have a greater density of neurons in areas of the brain associated with emotion and empathy and that is why we respond to everything that comes at us with a stronger emotional response.

Perhaps that is I why it was women who were last at the cross and first at the tomb.  Positive.

The negative though is because we place a higher value on relational connections and try to avoid disruptions in friendships which can crush our spirit, we tend to hold a grudge when it happens. 

And so, before we get the urge to express our emotions with words that cut like swords and body language that freezes up a room, take a moment and throw up a prayer for your enemy.  It is guaranteed to melt away the ice and lighten the burden of hurt that is weighing you down.  It is honoring God and taunting Satan.“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7) and your enemy.