I know it’s happened to you….
Because it’s happened to me. Someone completely misunderstands your words, actions, or motives and then treats you with disrespect or anger. What’s our natural response? What should be our natural response? What action could or should we take? Does the Bible address such daily issues?
Our natural response would be to bite back, defend ourselves, get angry and hold a grudge – all of which are not Godly or spiritual. But do we not have a right to and even a duty to correct misconceptions?
How often did Jesus defend himself or seek to change a misperception or correct a wrong conclusion? There are a few instances of him confronting lies and misrepresentations, but I imagine that if he had addressed them all he would have had spent most of his time defending himself. Instead, he gave us a pattern to follow in his own words in Luke 6:27-36. This whole passage deserves a thorough study but let’s just look at four things in verses 27 & 28.
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies,
do good to them which hate you,
Bless them that curse you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Luke 6:27, 28
Love Your Enemies
Jesus is saying that we are to do the right thing towards our enemies. Maybe thinking of it from the opposite direction will help: God does not want us to do anything wrong to our enemy. We should not refuse help if it’s needed; we should not slander them; we should not retaliate; etc. Instead, we should actively seek to love our enemies like Jesus did…
Day after day during his ministry Jesus taught the good news of the Gospel. He taught the disciples and the multitudes that followed him, but he also taught his enemies: the scribes, Pharisees, and the priests. The Bible gives many accounts of Jesus teaching in the temple or in the synagogues. Over and over he gave them the truth, but they didn’t believe and many times they sought to kill him. Jesus loved the Jews though many were his enemies.
Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world;
I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple,
whither the Jews always resort;
and in secret have I said nothing.
John 18:20
Do Good to Them Which Hate You
Jesus had people who hated him, and many times it was for unimportant reasons such as envy, pride, money, or conviction. So he understood what hate felt like, and yet he asks us to act honorably in our dealings with someone who hates or detests us. We are to act with integrity and character when interacting with an enemy.
I have to wonder if there were Pharisees in the crowd when Jesus fed the people in Matthew 14 and again in 15. Since they followed him most places, it wouldn’t be a surprise if some of the people who threatened, cursed, and hindered him most got to eat of this miraculous lunch!
Bless Them That Curse You
Jesus, as God’s perfect holy Son, would never condone us doing wrong to someone by cursing them; but he goes one step further and says to bless them by speaking kindly to and wanting good things for those who wish evil upon you.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent to thee,
how often would I have gathered thy children together,
even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Matthew 23:37
These words were a heart cry of Jesus for the Jews to believe even though they opposed him at every opportunity. He loved them and wanted good for them even though they cursed him.
Pray for Them Which Despitefully Use You
A perfect example of this is Jesus’ prayer on the cross: Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34
Jesus was asking God to forgive those who had participated in his crucifixion… those who beat him and pulled out his beard, those who lied about his ministry, those who condemned him to death, those who nailed him to the cross, those who mocked him as he suffered.
And all he’s asking us to do is to pray for those who insult, revile, or threaten us. I would guess that just about any persecution that we could endure would never come close to what Jesus suffered for us.
Honestly, as I write these words that present direct instructions from Christ, I know that I would struggle to follow his example. It’s not natural to love, bless, do good, and pray for those who oppose, hate, curse, and threaten us. Though most of our conflicts with people are not as severe as hate and cursing, it’s not easy or even natural to give the benefit of the doubt to someone who misunderstands or mistreats us. But, that is what God commands us to do.
Verse 36 of Luke 6 says: …for he (God) is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
God has been so merciful to me how can I not, with the Spirit’s help, endeavor to be kind and merciful others – even an enemy.
