In Psalm 35:1-6, David asks God to contend with those who contend with him. However, we notice a shift in Psalm 35:7-10, where David seeks vindication, not vengeance. He entrusts his cause to the Lord, trusting in His justice.
In Matthew 5:43-48, He commands us to love and pray for our enemies, following His example on the cross.
As Christians, we're called to imitate God's character and to be merciful, compassionate, and slow to anger. Our prayer should align with God's desire to redeem all people, even those who may consider us enemies.
Remember, the Bible teaches us to love and pray for our enemies while also being mindful of the company we keep and avoiding those who might lead us astray.
* "Do not associate with those who are given to change; for bad company corrupts good character." (1 Corinthians 15:33)
* "Keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us." (2 Thessalonians 3:6-7)
* "For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14)
While we are called to love and pray for our enemies, recognizing that they, too, can bring glory to God, there comes a point where we must acknowledge that those who persist in sin are, in fact, enemies of God. Despite God's offer of salvation through Jesus' sacrifice, some people make their own choices that leads to hell. Like Pharaoh and other enemies of God, refuse to relinquish their sin and repent. In such cases, judgment of God is a necessary outcome.
We often hear "Love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44), but is this always biblical? Think about it. If an enemy seeks to harm or destroy you, do you embrace them? No! Scripture teaches discernment and wisdom.
Remember Jesus' cleansing of the temple (John 2:13-17)? He drove out the wicked, showing righteous anger. We must distinguish between loving the lost and tolerating evil. Love doesn't mean enablement or compromise.
In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul warns of dangerous times where people will "love pleasure rather than God." Let's not distort love into license for sin. We must confront evil, just as Jesus did.
Love your enemies? Yes! But love doesn't mean ignoring sin. We must stand firm, speak truth, and trust God's justice. Let's reclaim a biblical understanding of love and discernment. Amen!
