![]() ![]() Forgiveness is always an optionĬan you truly forgive an enemy for what they’ve done in your heart? Surely you’d want the person to do the same when you voice your opinion. If you come across a topic that you disagree on, try your best to listen without judgment. Talk about small things, like hobbies, or films you enjoy - even food you like to eat. ![]() When you acknowledge that there are differences between you, you can open the door to commonalities. One surefire way to find common ground is by acknowledging your differences. You could also have similar jobs, common friends or family members, or similar personality traits. You may have similar interests or similar experiences while growing up. ![]() There's something we have in common with everybody if we look closely enough. The lessons for their life might not be the same as yours, and that’s okay. God has a different plan for everyone, and sometimes that means your path in life doesn’t match with someone else’s. The next step is to accept where they are in their life. Whether it’s a loss of a job, a loved one, self-esteem, or their own health, there are plenty of reasons people do what they do. A simple way to look at it is everybody’s got something. You may even be surprised at what you find out. Is there an underlying reason for their attitude and actions? If possible, take a look at their history and try to understand how they ended up the way they did. This is a worthwhile act of empathy that anyone can do in any situation.įirst, seek to understand their side and try hard to understand where they're coming from. Putting yourself in your enemy's shoes is one of the most effective ways to show love for them. The act of respect can often be expressed by simply saying, “Peace be with you,” and walking away. This also means we don’t necessarily have to stay in contact with people who have wronged us. This separates us from those who have evil and hatred in their hearts. When we show respect to our enemies, we allow ourselves to become more like the Holy Spirit. And Jesus knew this when he said, “Forgive them, Father.” Responding to evil with more evil does not solve the problem. ![]() It simply means you can’t let bitterness and hatred grow in your heart. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t seek justice if someone does you or your loved ones harm. Learn to think of them with compassion and not contempt. Show your enemies the genuine respect that every human being deserves. Now that we’ve gone over what it means to love your enemies let’s look at some examples. “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”ĭespite all of this information on what loving your enemy means, it’s still hard to implement in everyday life. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. But instead, he’s demanding more than most people were willing to do at the time. In the New Testament, quite clearly, Jesus is not presenting a new ethic. In the Old Testament, there is a verse in Leviticus 19:18 that states, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people.” The sentencing was carried out by a court of elders, who assessed the damage done and distributed a monetary punishment to the guilty party. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |