Enemies are a reality of life.
At some point, everyone faces opposition, whether from people who dislike them, those who betray them, or those who cause harm.
Dealing with enemies can be painful, frustrating, and even confusing.
Should we fight back?
Should we avoid them?
Should we forgive them?
The Bible offers deep wisdom on this subject, showing that God’s way of handling enemies is often different from what people naturally want to do.
Rather than responding with hatred or revenge, Scripture teaches love, patience, and trust in God’s justice.
By understanding what the Bible says about enemies, we can learn how to respond in a way that honors God and strengthens our faith.
God Knows That We Will Have Enemies
The Bible does not pretend that life will be easy.
It acknowledges that people will face opposition, betrayal, and persecution.
Jesus Himself warned His followers in John 15:18, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”
This shows that having enemies is not a sign of failure—it is something that even Jesus experienced.
David, a man after God’s own heart, had many enemies.
Throughout the Psalms, he cried out to God about those who wanted to harm him.
In Psalm 56:2, he wrote, “My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.”
Yet, in the same Psalm, David declared his trust in God, saying, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3).
This reminds us that enemies may come, but our response should always be to trust God rather than fear them.
Loving Your Enemies: A Radical Teaching
One of the most challenging teachings in the Bible is Jesus’ command to love our enemies.
In Matthew 5:44, Jesus says, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
This is not a natural response.
Most people want to avoid or fight their enemies, but Jesus calls His followers to respond with love and prayer.
Loving an enemy does not mean agreeing with them or allowing them to continue harming you.
It means choosing to treat them with kindness rather than hatred.
It means refusing to seek revenge and instead trusting God to handle the situation.
Romans 12:20-21 reinforces this idea: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This passage teaches that kindness can have a powerful impact, even on those who oppose us.
Trusting God’s Justice
It is natural to want justice when someone wrongs us.
When we feel attacked or betrayed, we want to see our enemies pay for what they have done.
However, the Bible teaches that justice belongs to God.
Romans 12:19 says, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
This verse reminds us that God sees everything, and He will bring justice in His own time.
David often spoke about this in the Psalms.
In Psalm 37:7-8, he says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”
Instead of taking matters into our own hands, we are called to trust that God will deal with our enemies in His perfect way.
Forgiving Those Who Hurt Us
Forgiveness is another difficult but essential part of dealing with enemies.
Holding onto anger and bitterness only harms us, not the person who wronged us.
Jesus demonstrated ultimate forgiveness on the cross when He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
If Jesus could forgive those who crucified Him, then surely we are called to forgive those who have hurt us.
Colossians 3:13 instructs believers to “bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Forgiveness does not mean pretending the hurt never happened.
It means releasing the desire for revenge and trusting God to handle the situation.
Forgiving an enemy is not for their benefit—it is for ours.
It frees us from the burden of resentment and allows us to live in peace.
When to Set Boundaries with Enemies
While the Bible teaches love and forgiveness, it does not require believers to allow themselves to be continually harmed.
There are times when setting boundaries is necessary.
Proverbs 22:24-25 warns, “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.”
This verse suggests that it is sometimes wise to distance yourself from harmful people.
Even Jesus walked away from certain situations.
In Luke 4:28-30, when a crowd tried to kill Him, He left without engaging in conflict.
In Matthew 10:14, He told His disciples to “shake the dust off your feet” and move on if people rejected them.
This shows that while we are called to love and forgive, we are not called to remain in toxic or abusive relationships.
Setting boundaries can be a way of protecting ourselves while still showing Christ-like love from a distance.
Praying for Your Enemies
Prayer is one of the most powerful things we can do for our enemies.
It changes our hearts, softens bitterness, and aligns us with God’s will.
Jesus specifically commanded His followers to pray for those who mistreat them (Luke 6:28).
Praying for an enemy does not mean asking God to bless their wrong actions.
It means praying that God will change their hearts, open their eyes, and lead them to truth.
It also helps us release anger and trust God with the situation.
One example of this is Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
As he was being stoned to death, he prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).
This kind of prayer reflects the heart of Christ and allows God’s love to work through us.
God Can Use Enemies for Good
It may seem impossible, but sometimes God uses enemies to shape our faith and grow us spiritually.
Joseph’s story in Genesis is a perfect example.
His brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy, yet years later, Joseph told them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20).
What others meant for evil, God used to accomplish His greater plan.
Paul also experienced opposition throughout his ministry.
Yet in Philippians 1:12, he wrote, “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.”
Sometimes, our greatest spiritual growth comes through trials caused by others.
Instead of letting enemies bring us down, we can ask God how He might be using the situation for good.
Final Thoughts
The Bible has a lot to say about enemies, and its message is clear:
Believers are called to respond differently than the world does.
Rather than seeking revenge, we are to love, forgive, and trust God’s justice.
We are encouraged to pray for our enemies, set healthy boundaries when needed, and leave room for God to work.
Enemies may cause pain, but they do not have the final say—God does.
By following biblical principles, we can find peace, knowing that God is in control and will use every situation, even the difficult ones, for His glory.