Loving Your Enemy - Inspire Within Devotions
Inspire Within Devotion
Scripture
“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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? Do not even the pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:43-48, NIV
Encouragement
We overcome evil with good when we love our enemies and pray for them. We are not called to take matters into our own hands. Through the Holy Spirit in our life, we can love and pray for our enemies, even if we don’t feel like loving them. The love of the Lord is seen in our life when we love those who hate us. The world and our flesh tell us to love your neighbor and hate your enemy, but Christ tells us to love your enemy and to pray for those who persecute you.
Reflection
Do you have someone in your life who mistreats you? Is there a person in your life who is hard to love? Jesus says know only to love them, but to pray for them. Loving your enemy is not a task you can do by yourself. Through the love of Christ and the Holy Spirit helping you, you can show love to those who are hard to love. Read Matthew chapter 5 for the Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and more of Jesus’ teachings.
Quote
"We overcome evil with good when we love our enemies and pray for them."
Recommended Resource
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