Hey all: How do I learn to love my enemies?

[FreeinChrist]

This has been my stumbling block for a year now, and it just doesn't seem like I'm getting better. As a matter of fact I am getting worse. I do want to love my enemies, but my flesh is just against it. I don't hate (or want to) hate them, but because of so many bad experiences in life and fear of mental pain, anguish and depression, I just avoid. I've spent so many years of my life in mental sorrow and pain, that I just cleave unto any peace I get, and to my flesh going out of my way to be around my enemies is torment. Please pray for me. Please give me some advice.

We can only love those who do us wrong by the power of the Holy Spirit:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 5:5

The only way a person can love other who have done us wrong is by the love of God which the Holy Spirit gives us.  Paul tells us  the work of Faith is love, Galatians 5:6.  James describes this work as the sure sign of faith, James 2:8-26.

I Peter 1:22

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

We as human have not the ability to love those who do us wrong, but the Holy Spirit can give us the power to do this.

[GoldenEagle]

Moving this to a more appropriate forum. Please continue the discussion.

God bless,

GE

[Guest man]

 

We can only love those who do us wrong by the power of the Holy Spirit:

 

 

We as human have not the ability to love those who do us wrong, but the Holy Spirit can give us the power to do this.

 

 

 

 

How do you explain nonbelievers excusing and forgiving one another? 

[FreeinChrist]

When Stephen was being stoned to death, by the power of the Spirit he blessed and didn't curse his accusers, just as Christ did His.  Yes man is capable of forgiving and excusing each other and even some form of love can be shown.  But the type of love we are called to as Christian is not anything that the human nature is capable of; just read Matthew 5:43-48 and honestly ask if we are capable of really doing these thing that Christ has called us to do.  Most any human can forgive if someone asked for forgiveness, but God commands to forgive regardless of the situation, Matthew 6:14-15; so too  any human can love when love is being bestowed upon them, but Jesus states:  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even publicans the same?  Matthew 5:46  or For if ye love them, which love you, what thank have ye? for sinner also do even the same.  Luke 6:32

The surest sign of a believer is the love of the Holy Spirit for others (John 13:34-35; Matthew 22:37-40; Galatians 5:13-14; I John 3:16-18, 4:7-8,20).

We are only command to owe man one thing:

8)  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

Tertullian stated the following when speaking of the Christians in his defense of the faith: See, they say, how they love one another.  Apologeticus 39

So the love we are commanded to give as Christian come from the power of the Holy Spirit.

[desi2007]

Walking in love isnt easy, love your enemies let them

bring out the best in you, not the worse. When someone

gives you a hard time respond with kindness, and

later take it to prayer. Life is all about relationships.

[truth10]

 

 

I can not imagine what it would be like for a heart that comes before Jesus wanting forgiveness

from Him-> yet holding unforgiveness of others who have wronged us!

John 8:12

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world.

He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

NKJV

The light of life is simply the same reasoning God Himself uses... and if I ask from Him (Jesus)

and am not willing to give out that which I received- maybe I never received it to start with!

Love, Steven

 

Forgiveness isn't my problem. I can and do forgive people, but it's feeling love towards them. I want to know how to feel real love towards them.

 

Then your prayers will not be hindered:

I do not know if you are spiritually born again... but will speak to you as if you are!  Remember being emptied of all that you were because God made you

able to see that it was worthless to Him? In that moment you came to Him and ask if He would give to you even though you had nothing to give back and

He did! That gift was a new life that can do nothing else but expel the love of God to others... what happens is we slip back into the old man, the old ways,

mostly because of the ease of living here as such; It is war and constant pressing to maintain a spiritual walk with God here and it wears us down and we

exchange true spirituality for less to ease this situation as if to rest -BUT- true continuance and rest is in prayer alone in the quiet with God! You must have

times where you get with Him and pour out your heart to Him-> for He will hear and realign your heart and thoughts so that His Spirit within you is unhindered

in the dispensing of God's Love to others- you, as all else around you, just become witnesses of a truly remarkable event of beauty and perfection that is in

the Love of God!  Love, Steven

 

Ah brother, thank you for your advice. I was (and am) born again, I can assure you at that, but I backslid for a little while, and I'm now back at getting beyond where I was before. The thing right now though is that I don't have any congregation of believers to fellowship with, and it's going to be like that for a while. The Lord made it clear to me that many churches will reject me because his spirit isn't in them.

[truth10]

Right now I also need as much prayer as possible to not be distracted by worldly things. I am now inbetween walking in the flesh and walking in the spirit, i.e. Lukewarm, and I'm trying my best to overcome Lukewarmness, therefor I NEED prayer.

Edited August 7, 2013 by truth10

[truth10]

 

 

We can only love those who do us wrong by the power of the Holy Spirit:

 

 

We as human have not the ability to love those who do us wrong, but the Holy Spirit can give us the power to do this.

 

 

 

 

How do you explain nonbelievers excusing and forgiving one another? 

 

Then pray God for me that he'll not take his Holy Spirit from and me, and that he may strengthen me with his spirit.

[Guest man]

How do I learn to love my enemies?

 

 

You start off by treating people the way you want to be treated. Love your neighbor as yourself.

 

Don't put people into categories. Treat each individual as an equal. They're no better than you and you're no better than them. 

 

If at all possible, put the needs and wants of others ahead of your own. 

 

If your enemy is a nonbeliever, cut'em some slack, the only thing that distinguishes you from them is your belief in God.

 

Loving your neighbor as yourself is the first step in getting along with your enemies.

[enoob57]

Ah brother, thank you for your advice. I was (and am) born again, I can assure you at that, but I backslid for a little while, and I'm now back at getting beyond where I was before. The thing right now though is that I don't have any congregation of believers to fellowship with, and it's going to be like that for a while. The Lord made it clear to me that many churches will reject me because his spirit isn't in them.

 

Prayed that you find family to grow with... right now we will have to be the next best thing   Love, Steven