Enemies? Here’s What to Do About Them

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. Doing this will be like pouring burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” (Proverbs 25:21-22, NIV).

We think of enemies as those who oppose our country in wartime. But on a private and personal level, we may sometimes have enemies, those toward whom we hold animosity, or those who may not especially like us. President Abraham Lincoln was asked what he would do about all of those who opposed the United States as the Civil War was drawing to a close. His wise response was that he would try to make friends with them. Likewise, in personal relationships, we are to seek peace. Solomon, in giving advice about how to treat an enemy, taught that we should feed him if he is hungry and give him drink if he is thirsty. By so doing, it will be like “heaping coals of fire on his head.” Furthermore, the Lord will reward those who treat their enemies with kindness and compassion. An explanation is in order for what is meant by “heaping coals of fire.” This is a picture of the high priest in Levitical practice, who, on the Day of Atonement, took the censer and filled it with coals of fire from off the altar where the sacrifice was being offered. The incense was then heated and scattered among the people. It became a sweet-smelling fragrance. The cloud of it covered the mercy seat and indicated an atonement accepted by God. Jesus taught in Matthew 5:44: “But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Paul the Apostle believed so much in the principle taught in Proverbs 25: 21-22, that he quoted it verbatim in Romans 12:20.

As we perform kindly acts for our enemies, we ought also to practice forgiveness for any wrongs they have perpetrated against us. Jesus had strong teachings on forgiveness: “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25-26). Jesus also taught how many times we ought to forgive: “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22).

It is not an easy thing to extend help and kindness to enemies, or to forgive them. But it is the Christian thing to do. Do you have anyone to whom you are not on speaking terms because of animosity? Now is the time to resolve misunderstandings and to make amends. Begin the process by praying for forgiveness. Then put into action what is taught in Proverbs 25:21-22. You will be glad you took the necessary steps to restore and right strained relationships. This is an action with God’s promise of rewards for you.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Tuesday, July 27, 2010