Almost no command of Jesus is harder than the one people search when they look up bible verses about loving your enemies. It runs against every instinct. And yet Jesus states it plainly in Matthew 5:44: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." He does not ask us to feel warmly toward those who have hurt us. He asks us to act — to bless, to do good, to pray — even while the feelings lag behind.
What does the Bible say about enemies in practical terms? It gets surprisingly concrete. Romans 12:20-21 says, "if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink... Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." The strategy is not to defeat the person but to refuse to let their evil turn you into someone bitter. Proverbs 25:21 said the same centuries earlier: give your enemy bread and water. Kindness is not surrender; it is refusing to be conscripted into hatred.
Scripture is also honest that the desire for revenge is real. Proverbs 24:17 gently corrects it: "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth." And Romans 12:19 hands the whole matter of justice back to God: "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Loving your enemies is possible precisely because you are not the one who has to settle the score. God will do what is right; you are freed to do what is good.
Luke 6:27-28 repeats the command with a specific action attached: "pray for them which despitefully use you." This may be the most transformative instruction of all. It is very hard to keep hating someone you are genuinely praying for. Prayer slowly changes the one praying.
If someone has wronged you, none of this means staying in harm's way or calling abuse acceptable — love can include firm boundaries. But it does mean handing your enemy, and your urge to repay, to God. Start with one honest prayer for them today. See also forgiveness, anger, and love.
Verses
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Romans 12:20-21
On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Luke 6:27-28
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Proverbs 25:21
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
Proverbs 24:17
Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,
Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Reflection
Who is the one person God might be asking you to pray for today — not because you feel like it, but because he asked?
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