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(Luke 6:27) "But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
In this series, we're delving deeper into the teachings that Jesus left us to follow. The fourteenth commandment leads us to our next focus: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.
Defending our 'enemies' might sound strange, but let's dive into an interesting concept—the "Cat's Paw." This phrase describes someone who is used as a tool without realising it. It comes from a 17th-century fable by Jean de La Fontaine called "The Monkey and the Cat." In the tale, a clever monkey convinces a cat to pull roasting chestnuts from a fire. The poor cat burns its paws, while the monkey gets all the tasty chestnuts! It's a reminder that sometimes those we see as enemies might just be pawns in a bigger game.
C.S. Lewis wrote something very similar in his book The Screwtape Letters. Lewis said that the devil operates most effectively when individuals are tired and unprepared to resist. He emphasised that Satan works through gradual deception rather than direct attacks, whispering through a person's own insecurities and vulnerabilities. The devil operates most effectively when individuals are tired and unprepared to resist.
Scripture supports the idea that we have control over our spiritual choices: Deuteronomy 30:19 - "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live." Joshua 24:15 - "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..." James 1:14-15 - "But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin..."
These passages reveal that 'we' hold the power to choose our spiritual path, making us fully responsible for those choices. We are not mere puppets; we are vibrant, active players in our destiny. When temptation strikes, it is 'our' decisions that shape the outcome!
Every temptation starts with lies that grab the attention and fuel the fear, slowly affecting thoughts and decisions. In effect, all of us can become tools of evil through our own choices when tricked by clever manipulation.
Viewing an 'enemy' through the eyes of Jesus involves embracing compassion, forgiveness, and love.
So we should, Love Unconditionally: Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). This means showing kindness and understanding, even when it's difficult. Practice Forgiveness: Follow Jesus' example of forgiveness. Remember His words on the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). Seek Understanding: Try to understand their perspective and what might be driving their actions - compassion grows from empathy. Pray for Them: Pray for their well-being and transformation. This will undoubtedly soften your heart as well as open the path to reconciliation. Reflect on your own Imperfections: Recognise your own flaws and need for Divine Grace, which can help you extend the same grace to others.
This, my friend, is how GOD encourages us to transform our response to those who hurt us. It's the path to genuinely loving our enemies.
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Let's pray, "Heavenly Father, teach me to see people through Your eyes and guide me to respond with kindness instead of frustration and anger. Show me how to lovingly pray for them and help me break the cycle of hurt." Amen!
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