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How does God expect us to treat our enemies? It's in the Bible, Luke 6:27-36, TLB. "Listen, all of you. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you; implore God's blessing on those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, let him slap the other too! If someone demands your coat, give him your shirt besides. Give what you have to anyone who asks you for it; and when things are taken away from you, don't worry about getting them back. Treat others as you want them to treat you. Do you think you deserve credit for merely loving those who love you? Even the godless do that! And if you do good only to those who do you good—is that so wonderful? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, what good is that? Even the most wicked will lend to their own kind for full return! Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don't be concerned about the fact that they won't repay. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as sons of God: for He is kind to the unthankful and to those who are very wicked. Try to show as much compassion as your Father does."
An enemy should be treated honorably. It's in the Bible, Matthew 5:25, TLB. "Come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late and he drags you into court and you are thrown into a debtor's cell."
Don't be happy when your enemy has problems. It's in the Bible, Proverbs 24:17-18, TLB. "Do not rejoice when your enemy meets trouble. Let there be no gladness when he falls—For the Lord may be displeased with you and stop punishing him!"
What does "heaping coals of fire" mean? It's in the Bible, Romans 12:20, TLB. "Instead, feed your enemy if he is hungry. If he is thirsty give him something to drink and you will be 'heaping coals of fire on his head.' In other words, he will feel ashamed of himself for what he has done to you."
God promises protection from my enemies. It's in the Bible, Psalm 18:48, TLB. "He rescues me from my enemies; He holds me safely out of their reach and saves me from these powerful opponents." |
