Is it still important to love your enemies?
Imagine you’re standing in the crowd 2,000 years ago when Jesus is preaching his Sermon on the Mount. He’s boldly saying things that no one else would say and it’s making a lot of sense, but then he drops a bomb. Jesus tells his listeners, and it feels like he’s talking directly to you, to love your enemies.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:43, 44 NIV
You look around at the people standing near you in the crowd. There’s a look of shock on everyone’s faces. It just doesn’t make sense.
The biggest enemy you can think of is Rome, which is occupying your country, taking away many of your freedoms, and imposing laws, like paying taxes to Caesar, which are a defilement of your worship of the one true God.
The last thing you’re going to do is love the Romans.
And what about your Uncle Joël who has never liked you and makes your life miserable every chance he gets? You ask yourself: Am I supposed to love him? There’s no way.
Jesus says to love your enemies
But you keep listening to Jesus. There’s so much love and compassion in his voice. It’s as if he knows you’re struggling with this idea and he’s trying to let you know you can love those people who seem unlovable.
By the time Jesus is finished talking, you feel something you’ve never felt before, more love in your heart than you know what to do with. You actually feel for the first time how much God loves you and you want to share that love with everyone else.
You go home pondering everything Jesus said, but especially the part where you’re supposed to love your enemies. And you decide you’re going to give a try, at least once, to see what will happen. It all made so much sense by the time Jesus finished his sermon.
Well, let’s jump back into the 21st century. Is Jesus’s command to love your enemies still valid? From the way some people who claim to be Christians behave, it appears many of them no longer feel this command of Jesus is valid or necessary.
It’s a choice to love your enemies
It’s hard for me to imagine why some Christians don’t feel the need to obey the command to love your enemies.
But a while back I was flipping through the book of Psalms looking for inspiration and came across these verses,
I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet.
You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me.
You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes.
They cried for help, but there was no one to save them— to the LORD, but he did not answer.
I beat them as fine as windblown dust; I trampled them like mud in the streets. Psalm 18:37-42 NIV
This is one of David’s psalms. He’s giving thanks to God for delivering him from his enemies, but he goes further and delights in the fact that he was able to destroy his enemies.
A lot of people who claim to be Christians, sometimes even church leaders, take these verses, and others like them, as justification for using whatever means possible to defeat their enemies. Sometimes they take it to the extreme and even pray for the death of their opponents simply because of differences on political, moral, or theological issues.
To follow Christ is to love your enemies
Now, let’s stop right there.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ, and are praying for the destruction of your enemies, it’s time to completely shift gears and actually obey Jesus’s command about the best way to deal with enemies.
It’s that shocking verse from the Sermon on the Mount I just quoted where Jesus says to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
What a contrast between the way King David and the Son of David, Jesus, dealt with their enemies.
Old Testament examples
There are lots of places in the Old Testament where killing your enemies seemed to be the go-to and accepted solution. A lot of folks think the command to love your enemies was a new idea Jesus preached.
But Jesus learned everything he knew from God and from the Scriptures.
And there are several accounts of expressing love to enemies in the Old Testament. One of my favorites is 2 Kings 6:8-23. This is the story where the King of Syria, or Aram, is fighting with the King of Israel and Elisha the prophet tells the King of Israel where the King of Aram is going to be with his army, over and over. The King of Syria, or Aram, thinks that one of his own people is betraying his battle plans to the Israelites, but he finds out that the prophet Elisha is telling the King of Israel this information.
So, the Syrian king does the obvious thing to do from his perspective; he finds Elisha, surrounds his town with a great army, and plans to capture him and who knows what else. But he is no match for the prophet.
Elisha causes the soldiers to be temporarily smitten with blindness. You might think at first this is a way of inflicting harm on the enemies of Israel. But it’s actually one step on the path to blessing them. Elisha then leads them to the king of Israel.
Elisha treated enemies with kindness
The king is so flabbergasted he doesn’t know what to do and asks Elisha if he should kill this enemy army. This was one of the most accepted ways of dealing with enemies. Elisha says absolutely not.
“Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.”
So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram [or Syria] stopped raiding Israel’s territory. 2 Kings 6:22, 23 NIV
What is the result of this loving gesture to the enemy? The bands from Aram, stopped raiding Israel’s territory.
The result of expressing love to the enemy was peace.
What are the results when you hate your enemy? It’s the opposite of peace.
If the king of Israel had killed the Syrians, there would have been retaliation and revenge on the minds of any remaining soldiers. And it would have perpetuated more hatred, more war, and more killing.
Proverbs says to love your enemies
This isn’t the only place in the Old Testament which brings to light the importance of expressing love toward your enemies.
Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, Proverbs 24:17 NIV
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. Proverbs 25:21 NIV
This is exactly what Elisha commanded the king of Israel to do with the enemy troops. But you may be aware that the very next verse from Proverbs 25 says
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. Proverbs 25:22 NIV
Does this mean you can give your enemy something to eat so that coals of fire will be heaped on his head and it’s a way to get back at your enemy?
Of course not. It’s not about literal coals of fire. It’s referring to the mental turmoil and confusion going on in your enemy’s head when you’re nice to them. They don’t know how to deal with it and it may, for a time, make them angrier than before.
To love your enemies changes you
Something transformational takes place when you begin to love your enemies. You’re replacing hate, retaliation, and revenge with love, good will, and peace. You’re clearing out the darkness of hate and hurt feelings in your heart and letting in the light of love. This removes that heavy burden you’ve been carrying around and gives you freedom and peace of mind.
Now you may be thinking: Hey James, this all sounds great and you make it sound so easy, but I’ve tried loving my enemies and I just can’t seem to do it.
Oh my, I know exactly what you mean. There have been times in the past when I was light years away from loving my enemies. It seemed impossible.
Because loving your enemies goes against one of the most basic human tendencies of getting back at someone who does something mean to you or being mean to someone who hates you.
But you can learn to love your enemies.
Loving someone when they are hateful
Many years ago, a fellow I worked with seemed to be determined to undermine my character and ability to do my job. Admittedly, I made my share of mistakes at work, but his piercing criticisms were not offered constructively and were far from subtle. This went on for months.
However, I never retaliated or tried to make him look bad. I kept loving him and praying for God to show us both more of His love. Over time, the harsh judgment of this co-worker ceased and we had a pleasant relationship. This was totally God at work in my life!
I had another experience where I learned the power of loving someone who was supposedly my enemy. In a blog post, way back in 2011, years before I started The Bible Speaks to You Podcast, I shared a story of how I came to love Muammar Qaddafi, a man the government of the United States declared to be an enemy. I had an amazing spiritual breakthrough. I think you’ll enjoy it: Thoughts on Libya and Muammar Qaddafi.
How did Jesus love his enemies?
Now, just to be clear, to love your enemies does not mean loving the bad things they do. Jesus said,
Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly. John 7:24 NIV
Jesus looked deeper for something to love. Underneath all the hate his enemies hurled at him, he could still love them as children of God.
Now, this is hard to do when they’re not acting like children of God. But this is the Cross. Take it up. The more you love your enemies, the easier it gets and the sooner they will cease to be your enemies.
If Jesus can forgive those who crucified him while he was hanging from the Cross, then you and I can forgive and love our enemies, whatever they may do.
To love your enemies, you need God’s help
One of the most important things to remember when you’re struggling to love your enemies is that in one way, you’re right when you say you can’t love them. What I mean by that is that on your own, with just the human heart and human love, you’ll never be able to love your enemies the way Jesus wants you to.
Jesus could love his enemies because he knew his heavenly Father loved all His children. He could see God loving them and so he could love them as well.
Right after his command to love your enemies in the Sermon on the Mount I quoted at the beginning of this episode, Jesus goes on to explain why you should and why it’s possible to love your enemies.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:44-48 NIV
The reason to love your enemies
When you love your enemies it shows to the world you are a child of God.
The reason you can love your enemies is because God loves them, not the bad things they do, but underneath all those layers of darkness, God sees and loves each of His children in the light of the way He originally created them in His image and likeness.
Your human love is not powerful enough to love your enemies with. But God gives you His love to love them with.
Jesus said,
Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”
By myself I can do nothing; John 5:19, 30 NIV
The only reason Jesus could love his enemies is because he saw God loving them. Even Jesus admits he couldn’t do this by himself.
The only reason you can love your enemies is because God loves them. The more you actually see God loving them, the more you will love them.
Who do you need to love right now?
Is there someone in your life playing the role of enemy? You don’t have to condone their behavior. Just love them. See God loving them.
Did it ever occur to you that the reason they are hateful is because they don’t feel any love in their lives—that they are actually crying out for love?
Take a moment to love that person and pray for something good to happen to them. Bless them with all the blessings you can pour out from your heart.
God is helping you do this. You can’t do it all by yourself.
If you can’t figure out how on earth to get started with such a prayer, try something like, “Dear God, bless my enemies and teach me to feel compassion for them.” Whatever words you use are not nearly as important as the sincerity in your heart.
If you still feel it’s impossible for you to love your enemies remember Jesus’s promise,
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:15 ESV
Jesus would not command you to do something that is impossible. With God’s help, with God’s love, you can love your enemies.
To love your enemies is Christlike
Why should we love our enemies? Why did Jesus want us to do this? First of all, because it’s the right thing to do, the Christly thing to do. And as I mentioned earlier, it frees your heart from the bondage of hate and revenge. That’s a terrible burden to carry around.
But more importantly, Jesus knew that to love your enemies would impel you to turn to God for help in the process. Jesus was always turning us back to the Father for guidance, help, and healing.
Jesus set the standard for this approach with the way he prayed for God to forgive the people who rejected and crucified him.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 NIV
Jesus expected his followers to follow this example. And that’s exactly what Stephen did as he was being stoned. Think of the love he expressed for the very people stoning him when he said,
Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Acts 7:60 NIV
Stephen set an incredibly high standard for loving your enemies, but he shows it’s possible for you and me to love this way.
Now, just in case you’re one of those folks who doesn’t consider anyone to be your enemy, then the next time you hear on the news or in your daily goings and comings of people or nations talking about who their enemies are and how to get the better of them, you can pray for God’s love to dissolve that animosity and bring healing to the situation.
To love your enemies blesses the whole world
Think what would happen in the world today if all those who claim to be Christians actually obeyed Jesus’s command to love your enemies.
The whole world would feel the difference. The change would be immediate.
To love your enemies is not a suggestion, it’s not simply a recommendation. It’s not just advice. It is a clear command from the heart of Jesus to your heart.
With God’s love, you are always be able to love your enemies. And at some point they will no longer be your enemies.
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James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and church mentor. He conducts Bible workshops online and in person. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by learning to think, pray, and love like Jesus. Contact him here.
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Bible References
Matthew 5:43, 44 NIV
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Psalm 18:37-42 NIV
37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
38 I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet.
39 You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me.
40 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes.
41 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them— to the LORD, but he did not answer.
42 I beat them as fine as windblown dust; I trampled them like mud in the streets.
2 Kings 6:22, 23 NIV
22 “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.”
23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram [or Syria] stopped raiding Israel’s territory.
Proverbs 24:17 NIV
17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
Proverbs 25:21 NIV
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
Proverbs 25:22 NIV
22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
John 7:24 NIV
24 Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.
Matthew 5:44-48 NIV
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
John 5:19, 30 NIV
19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”
30 By myself I can do nothing;
John 14:15 ESV
15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Luke 23:34 NIV
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Acts 7:60 NIV
60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
