When Jesus taught his followers to “love your enemies,” he challenged human instinct and the cultural norms of his time. It’s natural to want to avoid people who hurt us, frustrate us, or make life hard. Yet Jesus, in his bold and compassionate way, calls us to do the opposite.
In Matthew 5:43-44, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” In saying this, Jesus wasn’t suggesting a feeling; he was calling his followers to make the choice to love even when it’s hard. Loving our enemies isn’t about changing how we feel; it’s about changing the way we treat the people we’d rather avoid.
Why does Jesus tell us to love our enemies?
When we love our enemies, we’re imitating God’s nature and character. God’s love doesn’t draw lines between “us” and “them.” Jesus points out in Matthew 5:46-48 that if we only love those who love us back, we’re missing the mark. True love crosses boundaries and transforms relationships. Loving our enemies isn’t easy, and Jesus knew that. But as we seek his wisdom, he can change our hearts and make it possible.
Top 12 love your enemy verses in the Bible
If you’re wondering how to love your enemies, these Bible verses can be both challenging and encouraging. Here are some of the top “love your enemies” verses to inspire you:
1. Matthew 5:43-44 | “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”
2. Luke 6:27-28 | “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”
3. Romans 12:20-21 | “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads. Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”
4. Proverbs 25:21-22 | “If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.”
5. Romans 12:17-19 | “Never pay back evil with more evil…Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.”
6. Matthew 5:46-47 | “If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?”
7. 1 Peter 3:9 | “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.”
8. Exodus 23:4-5 | “If you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey that has strayed away, take it back to its owner…Help them with their load.”
9. 1 John 4:20-21 | “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar…Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.”
10. Luke 23:34 | “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.’ And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.”
11. Proverbs 24:17-18 | “Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble. For the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them.”
12. Ephesians 4:31-32 | “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander…Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
13. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 | “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.”
14. Matthew 5:9 | “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”
15. Colossians 3:13 | “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
16. Galatians 5:14 | “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
17. James 3:17-18 | “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others…Those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”
18. Romans 13:10 | “Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”
19. Luke 6:35 | “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High.”
20. Philippians 2:3-4 | “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves…Take an interest in others, too.”
How to love your enemies
Looking at those verses, it’s clear that loving our enemies is meant to be a high priority. Jesus calls us to let go of anger and bitterness, to pray for people we might struggle to get along with, and to choose kindness even when it’s difficult. If you’re wondering how to love your enemies in real, tangible ways, consider these steps:
- Pray for them: Ask God to bless them, even when it’s hard to say the words.
- Speak kindly: Show respect in your words, even in moments of conflict.
- Act with kindness: Go out of your way to do good for them, just as God has done for us.
- Let God handle justice: Remember that revenge doesn’t heal; God is the only true judge.
Seek peace - Aim to build bridges where walls once stood.
Loving our enemies means actively choosing the way that aligns with God’s love and brings healing to our own hearts. So take heart, and know that as we seek to love those who challenge us, we become more like the one who loved us first.
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