The Habit of Loving Our Enemies
March 9, 2025
Striking back at those who mistreat us seems like a natural human response. But nothing reveals what keeps us from being fully human like attempting to love the person in front of us who is not like us or has done us harm. Loving our enemies is the fastest way to identify all the rough spots of our souls that are in need of healing.
READ
Luke 6:27-28
But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you.
REFLECT
1. Think of someone you have been hurt by or have had strong disagreement with. Notice your behavior towards them. What does your behavior say about you? What behavior do you want to model for those you influence?
2. Relying on God is not only a matter of belief but of actions and behaviors that demonstrate God is always with us and that God’s grace has power to do what we can’t do on our own effort. How do your actions and behaviors demonstrate God’s presence, grace and love for you?
3. No matter how good or bad we look to others, God sees the heart. Ask God to search you, to reveal the intentions and motives of your heart, and to line both your outward actions and your inner motivations up with God’s heart.
RESPOND
1. Ask God to bring to mind someone you need to forgive. Choose to release your need to receive something from them so you can be free to heal and to love fully, and pray for their well-being.
2. Observe the people in your life who treat you badly. When you see them hurting, struggling, or in need, step in and help. Observe and imitate the actions of the people in your life who pursue the well-being of those who have hurt them.
3. Rejoice in and celebrate God’s blessings on others, even if they have treated you badly in the past.
4. Refuse to pile on criticism when someone who is not like you or has done you harm finds him or herself in trouble. Refuse to speak ill of them behind their backs. And never take pleasure in the misfortune of others, even if they have treated you badly.