Can you truly love your enemies?

Question

i have tried and been successful. but it only lasts a few minutes. Jesus did not seem to love His enemies too much either. called them vipers and such. even told one man who questioned His authority in a synagogue that he would have no share in His Kingdom.

Answer 1

YES BUT IT COULD BE ROUGH.

Answer 2

Yes. That advice is in line with God’s law to love one’s neighbor. So Jesus advises his listeners: “Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you.” He gives a powerful reason why: “So that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good.”—Matthew 5:44, 45.



Jesus sums up this portion of his sermon, saying: “You must accordingly be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Obviously, he does not mean that people can be fully perfect. However, by imitating God, we can expand our love to embrace even our enemies. Put another way: “Continue being merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”—Luke 6:36.

Answer 3

Jesus had the ability to read the hearts of people. He knew when they had bad motives for what they were saying and doing. We however, do not have that ability. He still loved them, he loved everyone, as does his heavenly Father, God. It was their actions that he didn't like.

If you remember, while Jesus was on earth, he preached to all sorts of people, not only certain ones. Some of these he preached to was criminals, tax collector (which were not like very much during that time period), and women (it was not common for Jewish man to speak to a Samaritan woman). So it is clear that Jesus did in fact love all people. This is why he gave his life for all mankind that they might be saved. It was their actions that wasn't acceptable to him.

John 4:7-9 "A woman of Sa·marʹi·a came to draw water. Jesus said to her: “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone off into the city to buy food.) 9 So the Sa·marʹi·tan woman said to him: “How is it that you, despite being a Jew, ask me for a drink even though I am a Sa·marʹi·tan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Sa·marʹi·tans.)"

25, 26 "The woman said to him: “I know that Mes·siʹah is coming, who is called Christ. Whenever that one comes, he will declare all things to us openly.”a 26 Jesus said to her: “I am he, the one speaking to you.”



Matthew 10:3 "Philip and Bar·tholʹo·mew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Al·phaeʹus; Thad·daeʹus;"

Matthew 5:6 "For if you love those loving you, what reward do you have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing?"

Matthew 9:10 "Later as he was dining in the house, look! many tax collectors and sinners came and began dining with Jesus and his disciples."

Matthew 9:11 "But on seeing this, the Pharisees said to his disciples: “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Answer 4

Love the good in your enemies.

Answer 5

It could happen ... after I found out that they were dead.

Answer 6

Yes. Do some research on "tough love".



Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Answer 7

Yes, it is quite possible.

Answer 8

Jesus gave HIS life for us all.



Your view seems tainted just a bit.

((why))?



GOD never lets us down.

While mankind can.



Jesus called those Tares vipers due to serving satan ( their spiritual father ).



They were tempting GOD.

Satan was the serpent?

Calling them vipers for telling lies?



How harsh...?



People who blame GOD , usually are in trouble spiritually and perhaps physically.



Forgiveness is best.

Jesus asked this for those who killed Him.

Or did you miss this point?

Answer 9

Love is NOT in the emotons, it is what you do or don't do even if you feel like kicking someone's butt

Answer 10

Love them?



Well, I pity them and move on. That's close enough.

Answer 11

That is one of the hardest things to do in almost anyone's life. We are to love our enemies as we love ourselves but sometimes it is impossible. We all should evaluate our opinions and feelings and do whatever we need to do to not actually hate anyone.

Answer 12

Remember, the Lord sat and ate with the sinners but he did not make it a habit.

As Christians we are required to speak the word of God to the non-believer or what you would consider an enemy.

However, after the above is performed we can walk away knowing the message provided will now require the individuals free-will concerning acceptance or denial.

Recall, the words of the Lord as He commissioned His Apostles:



"Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet." Matthew 10:14



Our Lord's words are vey clear, this gesture indicates a complete disassociation from such unbelievers.

Answer 13

From a human standpoint it is very difficult to love your enemy, however from a spiritual standpoint it is easy. The Bible says to love one another and it does not come with a caveat. it does not say only if they love you back. Jesus died for ALL in order that we might be saved, so we have to imitate Christ and have love for all, even our enemies.

Answer 14

Enemies are only enemies if they are unloved.

Answer 15

In practical reality to love one's enemy/enemies is self deceiving because it is impossible. For me I cannot and I will not because it will be most embarrassing. I definitely will not lower my standard to accept people or friends who behave as if they are kind of sub species.

Answer 16

You are mistaking correction with hatred. Jesus demonstrated his love for the Jewish people on many occasions, even the Pharisees. He pleaded that they would listen to him and was saddened that they had turned away from God. When the bible talks about enemies, it is talking about those who are living in sin. Jesus spent all his time with the sinners and showed them great love. It was the ones who said they were holy and without sin, and yet were sinful inside that he had issue with. Note that I say he had issue with, not hated.



So can you truly love your enemies? Yes. I found it is easier to love your enemies when you are in a deep loving relationship with God. By being so, you are so filled with joy and love for everyone that even your enemies are easy to love. I suggest if you don't understand how to remain in love for your enemies, you grow in your relationship with God.



Aside from that, while you can love them, it doesn't mean you have to devote all of your time trying to make them like you. They are your enemies, they are not going to get along with you. You take it with patience and longsuffering, returning their evil, hateful acts towards you with loving ones.

Answer 17

The fact of the matter: Yes, The only way you can truly love your enemies, is if the Lord Jesus Christ saves you, and takes you out of the kingdom of Satan and puts you into the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and make you a new creature of God, by giving you a brand new soul, so you never want to sin against God Holy Word the Bible, never again, then you will be at peace with God, becasue everyone that is unsaved, is at war with God, and will do the will of Satan because they are in the kingdom of Satan that is why they love the things of this world and will mock and scoff at God Holy Word the Bible, becasue they will obey there master who is the enemy of God.

Answer 18

Not at all. I hope they all get hit by a truck, especially Jesus, that shitbird.

Answer 19

Not really.

Answer 20

YES....God loves you.

Answer 21

The world's view of love is much different than the love mentioned by Jesus.

The Greek word is a·gaʹpe. It is love based on principal.

It is not ruled by feeling or sentiment; it never ignores principle.



Christians rightly show a·gaʹpe toward others for whom they may feel no affection or fondness, doing so for the welfare of those persons. (Ga 6:10) Yet, though not feeling affection, they do feel compassion and sincere concern for such fellow humans, to the limits and in the way that righteous principles allow and direct.



Jesus commanded: “Love [a·ga·paʹte] your enemies.” (Mt 5:44) God himself established the principle, as the apostle Paul states: “God recommends his own love [a·gaʹpen] to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. . . . For if, when we were enemies, we became reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, now that we have become reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Ro 5:8-10) An outstanding instance of such love is God’s dealing with Saul of Tarsus, who became the apostle Paul. (Ac 9:1-16; 1Ti 1:15) Loving our enemies, therefore, should be governed by the principle established by God and should be exercised in obedience to his commandments, whether or not such love is accompanied by any warmth or affection.

Answer 22

Here, love means doing what is best for that person, and doing what Jesus would want you to do.



But the answer to your question is NO, not in our own strength. It takes the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to do that.

That only happens when you are truly 'born again' by believing in Jesus Christ, receiving forgiveness of sins and eternal life.



2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.



By faith there is always hope in Jesus Christ for those who will repent of their evil ways

and believe in Jesus Christ, John 3:16-18, receiving the forgiveness of sins and eternal life.