Our neighbors across the street stuck two Biden/Harris signs in their front yard. Down the street, another neighbor proudly flies a Trump/Pence flag. Republicans vs. Democrats. Trump vs. Biden. Black lives matter vs. all lives matter. Husband vs. wife. As election day hovers and the pandemic lingers, the volume of vitriol increases, rifts deepen, and enemy lines grow more pronounced. As a nation, we’ve moved far away from the “love your enemy” response.
Who is our enemy?
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines an enemy as one seeking to injure, overthrow, or confound an opponent.
How then should we treat our enemy?
Our natural inclination is to return evil for evil. An insult for insult. Barb for barb. You raise your voice; I’ll raise mine. You use exclamation points!!!! I’LL RESPOND IN ALL CAPS. But God’s Word commands a radical response to treating our 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
But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. Romans 12:20
Yet don’t consider him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:15
But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you. Luke 6:27
What does one do when another has wronged you, vehemently opposed your Facebook post, verbally lashed you, walked out on you, or offended you in some other way?
In practical everyday terms, we can:
- respond with grace and kindness
- take them to lunch
- offer them a drink
- pray for them
- listen to her words and her heart
- see them as image-bearers of God, yet broken like you and me
- forgive them
Impossible, you think! You are right. It’s impossible to muster kindness for our enemies through our own efforts. But as followers of Jesus, we don’t function in the flesh but in the Spirit.
I remember a time when a business acquaintance asked to borrow money from us because he and his wife were in financial straits. We graciously lent money to the young couple. Later, we found out the husband had lied to feed a gambling habit. It’s been 7 years, and we haven’t seen a cent of that money. I stewed for a long time. But God convicted me. I started praying for him, and the bitterness slowly diminished. We are not best friends, but he is no longer an enemy.
Let me be clear, we should uphold justice when injustice holds its grip. We should defend ourselves when threatened with bodily harm. But in our everyday meetings online or face-to-face, let’s hold steady in the lane of grace.
Bob Goff offered some good advice on Instagram the other day: “Everyone, please find a puppy to play with for at least two hours today.” Or for the next month?
Seriously, let’s all take a deep collective breath, inhale some grace, and exhale all the junk (and borrow a puppy if you must). When we do, we will reflect God’s grace to our enemies, and we all will be better for it.
How do you love your enemy?