What is God’s way for us to treat our enemies?

[Blik]

We all have enemies. Even the ways of the world are enemies of the ways of the Lord. This site has many enemies. It is rather routine for a post to read “you are a liar” when it should read “I don’t believe what you posted is accurate”. Christ warned us about how wrong labeling people is, making enemies.

Cambridge dictionary gives this definition of an enemy: "a person who hates or opposes another person and tries to harm them or stop them from doing something".
There are many scriptures telling us how to treat our enemies.

I also wonder what you think about posters being enemies of each other, I will post just two of them.

Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Romans 12:17-21 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

[Edify]

Christians are to be people that love one another. If they don't love, they don't care. If they don't care, they won't forgive or be longsuffering towards others. Everything hinges on love.
Rev 2:
1“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
2“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

Those who don't love God usually love themselves.
3 John 1:
9I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

Most aren't as evil as Diotrephes, but the general attitudes are the same.

2“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.

All of these good morals & standards, but no love.

Sadly, I believe in these last hours this group in the Falling Away will be the biggest of all.
Many will be deceived by false teachers & prophets, but I think many of those still in the right doctrine will be totally caught off guard when Jesus comes & still here when He leaves.

 

[Dino246]

It is rather routine for a post to read “you are a liar” when it should read “I don’t believe what you posted is accurate”.

If a person makes inaccurate statements out of ignorance, then the latter is appropriate. If the person makes inaccurate statements knowingly, the former statement is accurate. Only when a person unknowingly makes inaccurate statements AND someone calls them a liar is your assertion valid. Even then, they may not be intentionally acting as an "enemy".

You are just as wrong for calling those who disagree in ways you don't like "enemies" as the person who calls, "Liar".

 

[pottersclay]

Strange how just a week ago the Lord dealt with me on this very issue.

I asked the Lord how do I love my enemies... And in a simple reply he said...
By refusing to becoming there enemy. It gave me a lot to think about.😗😗😗

We are called to speak the truth in any situation, at any given moment. By speaking the truth no matter how controversial it may be, we shed light in the darkness.
Some may not know the truth, some may reject the truth, but all are judged by it.
If they accept the truth then I have gained a friend, if not they become a enemy of God which is not a good thing. Then prayers for a changed heart which is the work of the Holy Spirit should be our focus.

Evil for evil is not scriptural .we over come evil with good.

 

[CharliRenee]

Love them, extending mercy as much as possible. Lord knows we all need Him desperately in this area. Ultimately, we need to pray for them, not just pray that they do better or are better, but that we, ourselves, find the capacity to line up our actions, words, and feelings with the will of God.

Sometimes, the enemy is ourselves and we toil and fuss, when we need His help to help deal with that which is against us, even within us.

I am NOT suggesting you or your post are anything. No passive aggressive insinuating here..nope. I was merely pondering thoughts traveled ouloud.. lol.

 

[Snacks]

Love our enemies, and if possible, to the best of our ability live at peace with all people.

 

[Artios1]

Christians are to be people that love one another. If they don't love, they don't care. If they don't care, they won't forgive or be longsuffering towards others. Everything hinges on love.
Rev 2:
1“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
2“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

Those who don't love God usually love themselves.
3 John 1:
9I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

Most aren't as evil as Diotrephes, but the general attitudes are the same.

2“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.

All of these good morals & standards, but no love.

Sadly, I believe in these last hours this group in the Falling Away will be the biggest of all.
Many will be deceived by false teachers & prophets, but I think many of those still in the right doctrine will be totally caught off guard when Jesus comes & still here when He leaves.

I know at times I am guilty of this …although not intentionally.

I try to proof my response to others... from their perspective, before I send it …..”how would I feel if I received this”? And above all..... I have to keep in mind ….. these are my brothers and sisters IN CHRIST. We are 1 body, and we strive to nourish that body…. not malnourish with contention.

Nobody wants to be wrong with the doctrine they hold, including myself. But that’s the immediate response ….and that’s pride. Because if I am wrong ….I am excited to learn where I am wrong, so I can get on track with the Truth.

If I am driving to go see Micky and I see a sign that says Buffalo 200 miles, my first reaction would be …oh darn (or other skillfully crafted words)…But, instead of reacting ….I act….. and head towards Florida.

I don’t want to be wrong…. but I am happy to find out when I am, so I can get back on the right track.

 

[Blik]

If a person makes inaccurate statements out of ignorance, then the latter is appropriate. If the person makes inaccurate statements knowingly, the former statement is accurate. Only when a person unknowingly makes inaccurate statements AND someone calls them a liar is your assertion valid. Even then, they may not be intentionally acting as an "enemy".

You are just as wrong for calling those who disagree in ways you don't like "enemies" as the person who calls, "Liar".

The post is not about accuracy, it is about what scripture says about it.

Matt. 5:22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

 

[Blik]

I try to proof my response to others... from their perspective, before I send it …..”how would I feel if I received this”? And above all..... I have to keep in mind ….. these are my brothers and sisters IN CHRIST. We are 1 body, and we strive to nourish that body…. not malnourish with contention.
.

Wonderful post. Thanks so much for the suggestions you give on checking our posts before we send it.

 

[Dino246]

The post is not about accuracy, it is about what scripture says about it.

Matt. 5:22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Disagreement is not anger either.

 

[Blik]

Disagreement is not anger either.

True friendship is between people who can disagree without it affecting their friendship.

 

[Gardenias]

True friendship is between people who can disagree without it affecting their friendship.

Thank you,this is a truthful and wonderful thought!

You have talked before about balance,I would like to add alignment to it.

What happens when we are driving and our tires become out of balance....balance is as a straight line,even or equal,not tilting too far one way or the other.
It breaks the evenness and causes our vehicle to shift back and forth into diffentent lines of movement ( forgive me guys,it's an analogy. If I'm thinking wrong ,sorry ).
In motion it is causing the car to wobble,which cause the balance to be out of alignment.

If unbalanced tires ( a relationship,be with man or God is the same) continues unchecked,it can put many things out of working order in your vehicle .

Then an alignment is required to set your wheels into evenness for a smooth ride.. it's a calibrated system done by a skilled mechanic. Jesus bought us and we were or are in his balance . The Holy Spirit aligns the balance as we travel the word of God together!

Just as there are different vehicles with different requirements,so too are we as people. We are NOT all alike and bc of this,especially in written form only ,it makes it hard to get our point across in order and love.......
i am sorry Blik and i apologize for hurting you in any way.

As the family of God let us first step back ,reacess what we read,in the Spirit's eyes as opposed to our natural sight and keep the peace of God in love and in truth,BALANCED AND ALIGNED.

 

[RichMan]

Disagreement is not anger either.

One can be angry at what they see as false teaching without being angry with the one posting.

 

[Dino246]

One can be angry at what they see as false teaching without being angry with the one posting.

Yes... it's unfortunate when people interpret disagreement with their false or erroneous teaching as either anger or demonic malice. I know of three on this forum who frequently do that.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

We all have enemies. Even the ways of the world are enemies of the ways of the Lord. This site has many enemies. It is rather routine for a post to read “you are a liar” when it should read “I don’t believe what you posted is accurate”. Christ warned us about how wrong labeling people is, making enemies.

Cambridge dictionary gives this definition of an enemy: "a person who hates or opposes another person and tries to harm them or stop them from doing something".
There are many scriptures telling us how to treat our enemies.

I also wonder what you think about posters being enemies of each other, I will post just two of them.

Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Romans 12:17-21 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

great post sister blick , I hear the gospel echoing in your words of late it is a beautiful sound !!! God bless and keep
You in all things Christ Jesus

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Disagreement is not anger either.

yes I think we can have a discussion between two opposing views and donor respectfully as we would with a friend or brother. If we can’t allow for opposing views we could never reconcile our understandings and come closer together

I think when insults and carnality enter it becomes fuitless. A lot of times just someone having a different view is perceived by someone as an attack and one can sort of watch the decline of discourse quickly devolve into insults and accusations when really it’s just two different levels of understanding being misperceived by each and taken a insult and fallacy

it’s like that in politics we don’t even dare listen to what’s being said by the other but it shouldn’t be like that in Christ yet it’s always been an issue not only in forums like this but since Jesus began preaching the gospel and they began to persecute , accuse , insult d try to trap him in his words eventually accusing him of blasphemy and condemning his to death on a cross

if we can discuss things without taking offense and perceiving everything as a personal Insult we would all learn alot more from each other than if we continue to do that to each other

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭

I often think it’s the intent held by the person are we here to share the word of God we believe and discuss it and consider and hear others and what they have learned for the purpose of growth and further unity ?

or do we want to correct and rebuke and accuse and insult everything we didn’t say or understand ?

 

[Runningman]

What is God’s way for us to treat our enemies?

Psalm 103:10
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Psalm 103:10
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

Amen
“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:35-36‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

[BillG]

We are to love our enemies.

We are to remember that we were enemies of God, yet he died for us to reconcile us to himself.