What does Jesus think about our attitude toward our enemies?

Matthew 5:43-48

But if we pause and really think about it we know why hate is not best for us.

Jesus says, “Stop the hate!”

1. Love your enemies!

Stephen Jesus Paul

2. Bless those who curse you! (Words)

3. Do good to them that hate you! (Responses)

4. Pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you! (Prayers)

This praying is something we will have to choose to do to start with, but the longer we pray for that one specific enemy the more we will

begin to soften toward them and eventually will be able to actually love them and pray for their best.

Alfred Plummer said, “To return evil for good is devilish; to return good for good is human; to return good for evil is divine.”

How?

1. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work this miracle in your life.

2. Die to yourself.

Galatians 5:24- “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their corrupt nature along with its passions and desires.”

Our desire is to hit them when they hit us, but since self is dead Christ leads us to not hit them but pray for them!

3. Look at our enemies and know that they have been fooled by satan into thinking that their life is the right way to live.

4. Look to our Model, the Heavenly Father.

Our goal is to be perfect to fulfill HIS desires in our life.

It means “having attained the intended purpose, complete, full grown, mature, or fully developed.”

Nelson Mandella

“If you hate, you give your enemy your heart and your mind. Don’t give the enemy those two things.”

“Is there someone who is an enemy that you have chosen to hate in your words and actions?”

Until you totally forgive your enemies you will be in chains. Release them and you will be released.