How To Love Your Enemy

The same is true with you. Nothing will make your heavenly father more proud than when you choose to combat evil with good. You can break the cycle by demonstrating Christ-likeness.

A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult (Proverbs 12:16).

Do you have the power to overlook an insult? You do if you have the Holy Spirit living in your heart because that indwelling Spirit is the Spirit of Christ, who stood before his shearers in silence. And with the most powerful display of goodness, hung on the cross, and conquered evil. Follow him. Follow his example.

Now there is one more point here about dealing with hurtful people.

4. Be aware that these tests will reveal your character more than any other. (vv.20-21)

Look at the conclusion that Saul comes to in v.20 after David has treated him so well. V. 20, “I know….”

Dr. Jett and I do not agree on everything. Just ask him. He and I have some wonderful debates and we are wired very differently, but I have learned so much from him these past few years. I have had the privilege of seeing him as he is applauded and I have seen him as he is attacked.

A few years ago, when I was assistant to the Pastor, a woman came into the church with her family and she was irate over a decision that Dr. Jett had made. She demanded a hearing and so did her son who was not even a member here but had come to make his mother’s case. And Dr. Jett and I walked into a conference room, sat down, and listened to this family absolutely bash him and this church. It was completely ugly and out of control. And when they realized that the decision had been made and it would not be reversed, this young man walked around his mother, approached Dr. Jett and said, “I have no respect for you. You can go straight to __________. And you can fill in that blank.

Without raising his voice, Dr. Jett calmly responded. He said, “And I will not take that same attitude toward you.” The man stormed out the door, slammed it so hard that I thought it would break, and I sat in there in amazement at Dr. Jett’s ability to control himself.

Criticism will reveal who you really are. And when Saul had attacked David fiercely, David responded with grace. And Saul said, “Surely, you are the king. You are God’s man.”

The legendary basketball coach John Wooden once said,

You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one. –John Wooden

Last week, we saw that David refused to be swept up in praise, as the women were singing his song. And this week, we have seen how David would not be defeated by the attack of others.

Let us follow the example of David. Let us follow the example of Christ when dealing with malicious people. Amen.