Can You Love Your Enemy?

What do you do when you’ve been slandered, spitefully used or cursed? The enemy has attacked and you’re grappling with maintaining even a semblance of Christianity in its face. 
 
It could be a coworker or neighbor, your ex-wife or husband… even a spouse or friend that has turned against you, stirring a mixture of painful emotions that make you want to lash out instead of love. Loving that person-turned-enemy is the farthest thing from your current physical or mental state.
 
Don’t be shocked at the attack.

Or, as the Bible puts it, “Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12 NLT)
 
The Battle is Real
If you profess to be a Christian, you are by default locked into a spiritual battle with the devil – the real enemy of your soul. He is actively seeking to devour your faith and discredit your witness. None of us are immune to his tactics to turn situations and people into enemies against us.
 
Your enemy is not the person standing before you.
 
Your struggle is not with flesh and blood, but rather with dark spiritual forces that capitalize on your trigger points and the frailties of your humanity while working through other less-than-perfect humans to accomplish their dirty work.
 
This battle is not a war to be won in the physical, but one that will be fought and won in the spiritual realm with heavenly tactics. With God’s help, you can turn this enemy attack into an opportunity for His love and mercy.
 
Pray. Seek God’s help. Let this battle be the Lord’s.
 
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven...” Matthew 5:44-45 NIV
 
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12 NIV
 
 
The battle is real! Go deeper on this topic with my 4-day devotional, “Love Your Enemy – Godliness in a Tainted World,” on the free YouVersion Bible app or on iDisciple here.
 
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash