To what extent are we to love our enemies? How can we even love those who have hurt us deeply?

The Lord Jesus teaches us to love our enemies; we are not to love their evil deeds but to show kindness, goodwill and compassion to these people. To bless refers to speaking good words when we would rather retaliate with bad words.

While we may not have any inward affection towards our enemies, we can still do good to them outwardly, emulating how God deals with both the wicked and the just: “He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

While we would like to pray imprecatory prayers against our enemies, God teaches us to pray that our enemies would repent and not continue in their evil deeds. It is not that you cannot pray for God’s judgment against the wicked, but you can include both types of prayers - God will judge the wicked and it is up to Him to show mercy on them.

Obeying God in such things releases you from anger and bitterness and it is only by God’s grace and supernatural power from the Holy Spirit that we are able to react in a way contrary to the world when tempted with the same situation. We do not give in to the flesh or to the devil, but we seek help from God to respond in the way He wants us to.

God teaches us many times in the Bible not to retaliate and to leave vengeance to God.

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39)

Turning the other cheek means to respond gently. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:18-21)

As children of the Most High God, bound for heaven where there is no more hurt or evil, let us fix our eyes on God and live on higher ground. Commit your grievances to God in prayer. May God help us.

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Scripture taken from the King James Version
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