Menu

How To Treat An Enemy

The Apostle Paul tells the Romans (quoting Prov. 25:21), “If your enemy is hungry, feed him’ if he is thirsty, give him a drink” (Rom. 12:20). Often, the best way to get rid of an enemy is to treat him as a friend. This, of course, applies to those who have slighted or hurt us personally, not to those who are the avowed enemies of the cross. “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [of Christ], do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (II Jn. 1:10-11). But with certain necessary exceptions, here is how to treat an enemy:

  1. Love him, and be kind to him (Matt. 5:44; Lk. 6:27, 35)
  2. Bless him, and desire the best for him (Matt. 5:44; Lk. 6:28)
  3. Do good things for him (Matt. 5:44)
  4. Pray for him (Matt. 5:44; Lk. 6:28)
  5. Lend to him without obligation or expectation of return (Lk. 6:35)
  6. Be merciful to him (Lk. 6:36; Rom. 12:17-21)

Related Posts

God Who Touchest Earth with Beauty

Words: Mary Susanne Edgar (b. May 23, 1889; d. Sept. 17, 1973)Music: Bullinger, by Ethelbert William Bullinger (b. Dec. 15, 1837; d. June 6, 1913) Note: There is a biographical note about Mary Edgar in the Wordwise link at the bottom of this article. She was a Canadian author who published poetry, hymns, and plays, […]

O Day of Rest and Gladness

Words: Christopher Wordsworth (b. Oct. 30, 1807; d. March 20, 1885)Music: Mendebras, a German melody arranged for this hymn by Lowell Mason (b. Jan. 8, 1792; d. Aug. 11, 1872) Note: Christopher Wordsworth was the nephew of the well-known poet William Wordsworth. Having written it in 1862, the author simply called the hymn “Sunday.” Most […]

Speak, My Lord

Words: George Bennard (b. Feb. 4, 1873; d. Oct. 10, 1958)Music: George Bennard (Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.) The author is far better known for giving us The Old Rugged Cross. But this is a fine missionary […]