We have established that there are times that you may be legitimately under attack. It generally will take the form of some willing human being eager to cause havoc in your life. Sometimes this can be unintentional, but often it is deliberate, purposeful and targeted.
This is the challenge of Godliness. The challenge of your relationship with Christ. The opportunity to show what you are made of. Are you like everyone else who fights fire with fire? Do you tell people off until their ears are smoking? Are you secretly plotting revenge on your attacker? If so, I understand your feeling and your responses; however, the scripture tells us a better way.
What we will learn in this series is:
1. You will have enemies.
2. You are instructed how to deal with them.
3. You have an opportunity for revealing who you are.
4. You have opportunity for reward.
5. You will become more like Christ.
6. God will deal with your enemies.
The definition of an enemy is a person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something. One that is antagonistic to another, especially one seeking to injure, overthrow, or confound an opponent.
You Will Have Enemies
The scripture is clear that you will have enemies. Over and over we see verses that confirm that people will despitefully use you. That people will hate you. That your enemies will rise against you. This concludes for me the fact that enemies are going to come into my life.
Now I am going to pause here for a personal note because anyone who knows me knows I believe the best about everyone. I really couldn’t conceive of someone purposefully doing something wrong to me. I am a bit naive to a fault in this. But the Lord has taught me a beautiful lesson. He has pointed out people whose intentions in my life clearly define what an enemy is. He has freed me to know how to deal with them.
How to Deal with an Enemy
I Peter 3:9 says,
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
Proverbs 25:21 says,
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.”
Matthew 5: 38-39 says,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
The scripture is clear. Bless, feed, love, do good, and pray. These are the instructions given to you for the unique times when you find yourself under attack. These aren’t gentle suggestions they are actual commands from Christ. This is the response He expects from those that say they belong to Him.
If you aren’t able to do this, the good news is that the Holy Spirit’s job is to lead you into all righteousness. He will help you do the will of God. God wants you to respond in these ways.
Father,
Help us today identify those around us who may not act in a manner that is to benefit us but more importantly help us to act in a manner that brings glory to you. Help us to bless when cursed, help us to do good when done wrong, help us to pray for those who despitefully us because they have no idea whose we are and to whom we belong.
In Jesus name,
Amen.