What does it mean to love your enemies? To truly love your enemies. Not just with words or false promises, but with actions and deeds. Let’s be honest—it’s not easy to overlook the words Jesus shares in His Sermon on the Mount:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:43-44 (ESV)
So what might enemy love look like in today’s world? Here are four ways to practically show love to someone who feels like an enemy:
1. Find Some Common Ground
One of the easiest ways to love your enemies is by finding common ground with them. For example, perhaps you and your next door neighbor have never gotten along. You are a devoted Christian and he considers himself to be non-religious. But one day, you notice him outside playing catch with his son. This is a perfect opportunity to go over and chat about your love of sports with him. This simple conversation establishes some common ground and perhaps even builds bridges for deeper conversations to occur in the future. Be on the lookout for ways to establish common ground with your enemies.
2. Express What You Like About Them
Words can either bring life or death to an individual — even to your enemy. And, to be honest, it might be very difficult to find ways to encourage and uplift someone that you really don’t like. Nevertheless, if you do notice something that your enemy does that is admirable, take a moment to verbally recognize them. Encouraging words can help break down some of the barriers between you and your enemies.
3. Choose Grace When It Doesn’t Make Sense
Loving your enemies can be the most difficult thing to do especially when they make it clear they don’t like you and want nothing to do with you. While you may feel like they do not have a good reason to dislike you, you must remember that you do not fully understand where they are coming from. There could be some deep rooted hurt in their heart that causes them to act maliciously toward those they don’t trust. This is why we must choose grace. We must go above and beyond in displaying unconditional grace because this is the way of Jesus.
4. Pray For Them
This may seem like the most passive suggestion, but in reality it is the most practical. Through praying for your enemies, God will open your own eyes to your own sins and shortcomings. This will stir compassion in your heart. Also, since we believe prayer causes things to happen, you may see God working on the hearts and minds of your enemies by simply praying for them on a consistent basis. This is another simple and practical way to show love.
Concluding Thoughts
By loving our enemies we show the redeeming love of God to the world. All people are made in the image of God and deserving of our compassion. May we set the example of Christ’s love by loving those that are hard to love, remembering Christ loved us when we were at our worst.
Include the Bibleless in Your Prayers
Did you know there are millions of people without any Scripture in their language? That means they cannot turn to the Bible for encouragement, comfort, and hope. They don’t know what it’s like to hold God’s Word in their hands.
At Pray for Zero, we pray for those without Scripture. We pray that one day, every language and people group will have access to the Bible. Until we reach zero, we pray.
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