Enemy Love

Enemy Love: Loving Those Who Oppose Us

Jesus’ teaching on loving enemies is perhaps his most radical teaching. He calls us to love not just our neighbors, but those who hate us, curse us, and persecute us. This teaching is central to our movement’s approach to political engagement and peacemaking.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 5:43-45

Scripture Foundation

Key Passages:

What Enemy Love Means

Love Your Enemies

This is not passive acceptance—it’s active love. Jesus calls us to:

  • Bless those who curse us
  • Do good to those who hate us
  • Pray for those who persecute us

Action: We actively seek the good of those who oppose us.

Why Enemy Love Matters

Jesus says this is how we become children of God:

“That you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.” - Matthew 5:45

Action: Enemy love reflects God’s character and shows we are his children.

Beyond Normal Love

Anyone can love those who love them. Enemy love is different:

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others?” - Matthew 5:46-47

Action: We love beyond what’s normal or expected—we love those who don’t love us back.

Practical Application

In Personal Relationships

How to Practice:

  • Pray for people who have wronged you
  • Look for ways to bless them
  • Refuse to hold grudges
  • Seek reconciliation

See Also: Practice Mercy, Jesus on Forgiveness

In Political Engagement

How to Practice:

  • Don’t demonize political opponents
  • Refuse “us vs. them” thinking
  • Build bridges, not walls
  • Focus on values, not enemies

See Also: Political Engagement, Voting with Values

In Community Conflict

How to Practice:

  • Mediate conflicts with compassion
  • Seek to understand opponents
  • Work for reconciliation
  • Build peace, not division

See Also: Practice Mercy, Community

Common Challenges

Doesn’t This Mean Being a Doormat?

No. Enemy love doesn’t mean accepting abuse or allowing injustice. It means:

  • Responding to hate with love
  • Working for justice without hatred
  • Setting boundaries while still loving
  • Seeking the good of others, even opponents

What About Justice?

Enemy love and justice work together:

  • We can oppose injustice while loving those who perpetrate it
  • We can seek accountability without hatred
  • We can work for change while blessing opponents

How Do I Love Someone I Can’t Stand?

Start with prayer. Pray for them. It’s hard to hate someone you’re praying for. Then look for ways to bless them, even small ways.

Practical Steps

This Week

  • Identify someone you consider an “enemy” or opponent
  • Pray for them daily
  • Look for one way to bless them
  • Refuse to speak negatively about them

This Month

  • Build a practice of praying for opponents
  • Look for ways to do good to those who oppose you
  • Work on reconciliation where possible
  • Model enemy love for others

Ongoing

  • Make enemy love a way of life
  • Apply it to political engagement
  • Practice in community conflicts
  • Support others in practicing it

Connection to Our Movement

Enemy love is central to our approach:

  • Political Engagement - We don’t demonize opponents
  • Peacemaking - We work for reconciliation
  • Values-Driven - We focus on principles, not parties
  • Non-Coercive - We invite, don’t demand
  • Bridge-Building - We connect, not divide

See Also: Political Engagement, Practice Mercy, Policy

See Also

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