LOVE YOUR ENEMIES?

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES?

LOVE…My Enemies?

There is a lot of violence in the world today. The world is angry and most people want as many people to know how they are feeling as possible. Unfortunately, this can lead to more anger and distress for everyone. Today our focus is this: Love your enemies Bible verses, and how we can apply those verses to our own lives. Yes, we are supposed to love our enemies.

  • We will start off reading the Bible.
  • Then we will break down the verses. What does Jesus tell us about…
  • Lastly, application.

The answers to the following questions will be in the verses themselves. Because of this, I will not provide any answers for you. Scripture is powerful. God created it in a way that we can understand exactly what He wants to show us. If we study and read it with an open mind, without preconceived thoughts that satisfy our own wants and desires, we will have an accurate understanding of His will.

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES BIBLE VERSES

Matthew 5:38-42, 43-48 (BBE) Click here to open the scripture passages in the BBE version.

38 You have knowledge that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say to you, Do not make use of force against an evil man; but to him who gives you a blow on the right side of your face let the left be turned. 40 And if any man goes to law with you and takes away your coat, do not keep back your robe from him. 41 And whoever makes you go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who comes with a request, and keep not your property from him who would for a time make use of it. 43 You have knowledge that it was said, Have love for your neighbour, and hate for him who is against you: 44 But I say to you, Have love for those who are against you, and make prayer for those who are cruel to you; 45 So that you may be the sons of your Father in heaven; for his sun gives light to the evil and to the good, and he sends rain on the upright man and on the sinner. 46 For if you have love for those who have love for you, what credit is it to you? do not the tax-farmers the same? 47 And if you say, Good day, to your brothers only, what do you do more than others? do not even the Gentiles the same? 48 Be then complete in righteousness, even as your Father in heaven is complete. Matthew 5:32-48

SCRIPTURE BREAKDOWN:
What does Jesus tell us about loving our enemies?

  • What does Jesus tell us in the following verses?
    Matthew 5:39 (the first half of this verse)
    Matthew 5:44
  • Verses 38 and 43 are not a part of the New Testament Gospel teachings.
    Read Matthew 5:38-39 (the first half of verse 39) and Matthew 5:43-44.
    What is Jesus telling us we should NOT do?
  • Read Matthew 5:38-42
    What is the overall point Jesus is trying to make to us?
  • Read Matthew 5:43-48
    What is the overall point Jesus is trying to make to us?
  • Lets break it down a little more. Read each verse and then write down what Jesus wants us to learn from that verse. We already did this for verses 38-39a and 43-44.
    Matthew 5:39b (second half of verse 39)
    Matthew 5:40
    Matthew 5:41
    Matthew 5:42
    Matthew 5:45
    Matthew 5:46
    Matthew 5:47
    Matthew 5:48

APPLICATION

Understanding that we should apply this topic is pretty clear, but following through with it can be hard. Because of this, we are going to focus on prayer. Prayer will help us begin to apply Jesus’ words to our lives.

  • Make a list of how you could do better at loving your enemies.
  • Pray to God, telling Him you want to do a better job at loving your enemies. Tell Him in what areas you are looking to grow, and that you need His help.

CONCLUSION


It is hard to love your enemies, especially when everyone around you does the opposite.
The Bible does not tell us to hate our enemy. Jesus is correcting this old wives’ tale that was among the people. These verses in the Bible also do not say to pretend your enemies are good, to trust them, or to ignore the evil they have done. But it does say to love, bless, and do good to them.

We hope you search our website, Christian Fellowshipping, for more encouraging ways to fellowship with God and other believers. To learn about salvation and what it means, read What is Salvation and God’s Promise of Salvation, it will guide you through this with scripture. If you are new to the Christian faith, please visit My Bookshelf. You will find free eBooks that will help you on this new journey.

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