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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
How to Deal with an Enemy
It is not evil to have an enemy. Even God has enemies, Isaiah 1:24.
Men have known for years that a person is often judged as much by his enemies as by his friends. Jesus had enemies. We will have enemies. That is a fact. The question is, “How will we deal with our enemies?” Christians are given a lot of information on this subject, and it is easily understood.
Old Testament instruction
Having an enemy in ancient times could be dangerous. However, David dealt with his enemies in this way: “As for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourns for his mother,” Psalms 35:13-14.
That attitude had its roots in the Law of Moses: “If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it,” Exodus 23:5.
Having an enemy may not necessarily be your fault, but how you deal with that enemy is an all-important matter. In ancient days under the Law of Moses, men were instructed to have kind attitudes, even toward those who do not have good attitudes for you.
New Testament instruction
Jesus knew when He came to this earth that He would have opposition. Some of that enmity came from His own brothers, John 7:3-5. In the way He died, we know that He had enemies with deadly intentions. How did He deal with His enemies, and what did He leave with us for instruction on this subject?
Consider the following:
- “Love your enemies. do good to those who hate you,” Luke 6:27.
- “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” Matthew 5:44.
- The apostle Paul was inspired to write: “Bless those who persecute you: bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep… Repay no man evil for evil,” Romans 12:14-17.
- “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink: for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good,” Romans 12:20-21.
All these references give us insight to the mind of God. Great Bible characters have exhibited these qualities. When David was stalked by Saul, he took no opportunity to harm Saul. We can hardly do less, for Jesus has given us an example to follow. Hanging on the cross at the hand of His enemies, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” Luke 23:34.
Can we summarize what the Bible says about the relationship His people should have with enemies?
In simple terms:
- Do not wish evil upon your enemies, Proverbs 24:17.
- Do not rejoice when your enemy grieves, but grieve with him, Psalms 35:13-15.
- Give assistance to an enemy even if he doesn’t discover who it is that helped him, Exodus 23:5.
- Don’t be ashamed that you have enemies—in fact, be concerned if you have no enemies, Luke 6:26.
- Seek the best interests of your enemy, even when he/she has mistreated you or your family, Romans 12:14.
- Earnestly pray for your enemies, Luke 6:28.
- When someone has a bad attitude toward you, neutralize that bad attitude with kindness, Romans 12:20.
- Do not try to take vengeance on your enemies. Instead, let God’s wisdom take care of your desire for justice, Romans 12:19.
- Do not let evil deeds overcome you, but overcome evil by doing good to those who do evil to you, Galatians 6:10, Romans 12:21.
- Living a godly life can make even your “enemies be at peace” with you, Proverbs 16:7.
Being an enemy
Having enemies is one thing, but being an enemy is another. The Bible speaks of someone being the enemy of God: “Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself the enemy of God,” James 4:4.
On the other hand, because of his faith and obedience, Abraham is called “the friend of God,” James 2:23. Truly, the character of your enemy may be a major factor in defining your character. How do you deal with your enemies?
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“Some are better served by their bitter-tongued enemies than by their sweet-smiling friends; because the former often tell the truth, the latter, never.”
“Do good to thy friend to keep him, to thy enemy to gain him.”
“The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.”
“Judge me by the enemies I have made.”
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
“To speak painful truth through loving words; that is friendship.”
“Make God your friend, and then it’s no matter who is your enemy.”
“One very important ingredient of success is a wide-awake, persistent enemy.”
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