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Two Advices on Loving Your Enemies
Yenny Kartika Official Writer
1442Proverbs 24:17
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles
Bible Reading for a Year [bible]psalm43[/bible]; [bible]iitim1[/bible]; [bible]isaia39-40[/bible]
“Love” and “enemy” are opposite to each other. They cannot be united. Enemy comes from a Latin word “inimicus”, meaning “opponent”.
Those who hate others always hope for the bad, discouraging, disappointing, and hurting things to happen. Therefore, any advice on loving enemies is a paradox because usually we oppose the enemies. We hate them, try to get rid of them, and so on.
God’s view is different from the world’s, as written in Matthew 5:44, "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
Not only theological aspect and faith, but this view also influences the practice and logic. First off, loving enemies is self-defeating; nobody would be happy by hating others. Secondly, to pay back hate for hate is to multiply it. We cannot get rid of darkness by darkness, but by light. Even a speck of light can cut through the darkness.
By understanding the meaning of “love the enemy”, we can see hurt without resentment; bitterness without wrath; disappointment without anger. Take it as an opportunity to love and help others.
The biggest victory is when we can love our enemy.
