Matthew 5:43-44 (MSG)
You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves.
We all have enemies. They can be a family member, classmate, neighbor, co-worker or even a church member. In our scripture today, Jesus is telling us to love them and most importantly pray for them! Now, why would He tell us to pray for them when it seems like all they do is prey on us? Because that person is not really our enemy. The enemy uses them to attack us but when we attach prayer to the attacker, God softens our hearts and instead of changing them, which is what we really want Him to do, He changes us and the way we see them. God can empower you to treat them with love no matter how they treat you. Yes, you can love your haters! So, instead of placing your energy into getting your enemy, place your trust in God and let Him set you free! Who the enemy may try to use to destroy you, God can ultimately use to deliver you!
-Crystal Denkins
