PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD
(Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.
THE BELIEVER AND HIS
ENEMIES
Devotional
Text: Matt. 5:43-47
Introduction:
Biblically speaking, the believer should not
consider anyone his enemy, since the Holy Scripture opines that, “we wrestle
not against flesh and blood (human beings), but against principalities and
powers”…(Eph 6:12). However, for the fact that certain individuals or groups
who hate the Christian faith or the person of the believer, in some cases,
stand out as enemies, the believer, therefore, should take cognizance of their
position, but should never regard them as foes or enemies.
GENERAL
REMARKS
(1)
The believer
should love those who regard themselves as enemies,(vs. 44)
(2)
He should
bless them even when they curse him (vs. 44)
(3)
The believer
should do good to those that hate him and regard themselves as enemies, (vs.
44)
(4)
He should
equally pray for them, even when the wrongly persecute him (vs. 44)
THE BELIEVER AND THOSE WHO REGARD
THEMSELVES AS ENEMIES
The believer, by biblical principle, should
be a person of “no human enemy”,
bearing in mind that Satan and his demons are the mastermind of every negative
human action, and so, should recognize his real enemies, and accordingly employ
spiritual weapons against them, instead of keeping malice against his fellow
human, whom he should love and cherish. In this connection, therefore, the
believer should overcome the temptation of:
(i)
hating people
who show-up as enemies,(Matt. 5:43-44)
(ii)
but should
pray for them, instead of regarding them
as enemies, (vs. 44)
(iii)
he should
equally do good to them, even when they display hatred, speak
evil or persecute him, (vs. 44)
THE BELIEVER AND THOSE WHO CURSE
HIM
The kingdom lifestyle of the believer is to
bless. Emphatically, the believer should bless and not curse, (Matt. 5:44).
Worthy of note is that God blessed humanity when He created them, (Gen.
!:27-28). He did not curse them, even when they sinned, but only cursed the
ground for their sake, (Gen.3:17). According the Apostle James, our tongue
should not be allowed to become instrument by which a person made in the image
of God should be cursed. (James 3:8-10). Therefore, the believer should know
that:
(i)
When he
curses someone made in the image of God, he is equally cursing God, (vs. 9-10)
(ii)
The believer
or anyone who curses demonstrates the fact of the presence
of the “spirit
of enmity’ in his life, (vs.
9-10)
(iii)
One who
curses makes oneself the enemy of God and humanity, (vs. 9-10)
THE BELIEVER AND PRAYER FOR THOSE
WHO DESPITEFULLY USE AND PERSECUTE HIM
Open evil-speaking against the believer
portrays the fact of open enemies, as persecution is the evidence of a hard
enemy or enemies of the believer. But, in all, the Holy Scripture urges the
believer to pray for them and not against them (Matt. 5:44). In fact, the cited
scenario calls for the special grace of God in the life of the believer, if he
must overcome. To this end, therefore, the believer is called upon to:
(i)
Submit
himself to God, and accordingly resist the devil, instead of fighting
the human person who speak evil or persecute
him, (James 4:7)
(ii)
Overcome
evil with good, instead of rewarding evil with evil, (Rom. 12:21)
(iii)
Pray like
Stephen, for their forgiveness, instead of praying their death,
(Act
7:60; (Luke 9:51-58)
In
conclusion, please
recall that the believer, by principle and practice should have nobody as
enemy, but should love and work for the good of all, despite misgivings. He
should equally understand that cursing and fighting any human individual(s) in
the name of enmity portray the character of the Evil One, the devil, whereas,
blessing and loving people picture the character of God. So, the believer, by
this, is biblically enjoined to be, and remain a person of zero enemies. LET THE CHARACTER OF GOD REIGN IN YOU.
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