How can I love my enemies like Jesus said?
The Devotional Answer
Loving your enemies is an impossible command for human nature, which is why it requires the supernatural power of God. The devotional truth is that you cannot generate this kind of sacrificial love yourself; it must flow through you from the Holy Spirit.
This command is a daily opportunity to lay down your natural human desire for revenge and embrace the radical, self-giving love of Christ, who loved us while we were still His enemies (Romans 5:8).
You fulfill this command by choosing obedience over emotion, knowing that the power of God will follow your choice.
The Simple Answer
You love your enemies by understanding that Jesus’ command is about action and will, not just emotion.
Re-Define "Love": Jesus is not commanding you to feel warm, fuzzy emotions toward someone who hurt you. He is commanding agape love—a self-sacrificial, deliberate act of the will for the good of the other person.
The Key Action: Pray: Jesus specifically commanded you to "pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). Prayer transforms your heart, not just theirs.
Rely on the Spirit: Ask the Holy Spirit to give you His love for that person, acknowledging that you cannot do it on your own.
The Deeper Dive
Jesus makes this command plain in the Sermon on the Mount, but He also shows us the path to fulfill it.
1. The Command to Pray and Bless
Jesus elevates the standard of behavior from the Old Testament principle of "an eye for an eye" to radical, self-giving grace.
Matthew 5:44 (NIV) says: "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
The act of praying for an enemy is profoundly transformative because:
It acknowledges that their spiritual condition (not just their behavior) is the problem.
It asks God to bless them, preventing bitterness from hardening your own heart.
It shifts the burden of justice from your shoulders to God’s, where it belongs (Romans 12:19).
2. The Model: The Cross
Jesus provided the ultimate example of loving an enemy while He was on the cross. His words, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34), were a prayer for the very people who were actively murdering Him.
This shows that the greatest act of loving an enemy is extending forgiveness, which breaks the cycle of hurt and revenge.
3. Practicing Intentional Goodness
The Apostle Paul details the practical outworking of this love:
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." — Romans 12:21 (NIV)
This means looking for concrete, safe, and appropriate ways to do good to the person who harmed you (e.g., a kind word, a small help, or simply avoiding gossip about them). When you respond to hurt with goodness, you demonstrate the power and difference of Christ’s love.
God’s Assurance
God assures us that He is the source of the very love He commands us to give.
"God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." — Romans 5:5 (NIV)
You are assured that the love required to forgive and bless your enemy is already available inside you through the Spirit. You just need to choose to release it.
Your Takeaway Thought
Start small. You don't have to invite your enemy to dinner tomorrow. Start by praying for them every day. Pray for their well-being, their salvation, and their relationship with God.
This act of spiritual discipline is the key that unlocks genuine, Christ-like love in your heart, dissolving the bitterness that keeps the fear and anger locked in.
