Proverbs 25:21-22 (NIV) 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
If only we could get this right. How different our lives would be.
When we view someone as an enemy, we tend to have a “standard set” of reactions within us, stored up and ready for that moment when they are needed to inflict reciprocal harm or punishment on those who would hurt or harm us or our loved ones.
It is a natural human reaction.
It is not, however, a Holy Spirit-led reaction. It is our flesh acting out.
God’s word tells us plainly that we are not to repay evil with evil.
1 Peter 3:9 (NIV) 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
In fact, Jesus told us that if someone strikes one cheek, we are to turn the other cheek to them.
Matthew 5:39 (NKJV) 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
This flies in the face of every human emotion that rises in us when we are treated in ways that are less than what we expected.
But it is what God expects of us; treating others as we would like to be treated, even when they have acted to the contrary.
It is seldom easy. We absolutely need to lean on the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to lead us in actions that conflict with what our flesh wants to do.
But though it may be difficult, we can do this, through Christ, who strengthens us.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443
401-439-3780
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