We’ve all likely heard the instruction to love your enemy, but how often do we apply that to some of the more unlikeable parts of ourselves? There are aspects of ourselves that will inevitably cause us frustration, shame, disgust, or confusion. Is there an opportunity to act lovingly to those parts, rather than ignore them or hide them? How does God invite us to love ourselves as he does?
Our bible has many references for enemies - in the Old Testament especially. It helps us to understand it all within the backdrop of ancient Hebrew culture, one of a forceful foreign occupation and struggle, with the resulting violence. The many stories understandably contain human outrages and laments with the injustice of it all. Then New Testament Jesus brought a stark contrast with the divine goal of a radical, forgiving love. In our times, enemies can be people in our world and in our lives, while at the same time a relational cancer that preys on us all.
It’s the enemy within.
Yes, we all hear the deceiver’s lies, and we cringe as we observe the evil and suffering in the world around us. Our tender hearts seem to frequently be under attack. And haven’t we all heard about the get-tough language of waging spiritual warfare and “kicking out the devil?” I am certainly for standing up to evil and the evil one, but maybe we’re missing something. So yes, go bold.
But also softer, gentler and more intuitive.
We all know that surrounding our many manifestations of feeling human - guilt, fear, shame, grieving, showing emotion, etcetera - are cultural assumptions and even rules about how we are to behave. Yeah, those stigmas that we think we should all be over with by now, are still lurking deep. Harmful thoughts and feelings may be newly imagined, or latent and smoldering over time, from past wounds. They stop us.
An African proverb goes like this:
“When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” A great concept, but what do we do with the enemy within, toss it out with a choice scripture?
Or a more nuanced approach.
Abraham Lincoln said:
“The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.”
Hmm, now we’re on to something. I love the idea that everything belongs in our lives. The good and the not so good. The sweet times and the struggling. God uses it all. ALL of it. He speaks to us in it all and changes us through it. He redeems it.
Instead of being so hard on ourselves, how about this attitude: Our spiritual lives are an adventure, and our overriding task should be the seeking and knocking. That takes curiosity and an open mind. And courage (but great reward)! Beyond stigmas, let’s give ourselves permission to FEEL the hurt, maybe identify the whys, and lean into the change.
Let's press in harder to get to know the heart of Father God, and ourselves better. The softer and gentler approach seeks understanding of our own insecurities and triggers, but without the shame and those tired, cultural expectations.
The end goal of our relationship with God is seeking our (and His) deepest desires - simply put, learning how to love and learning how to be loved.
Luke 6:27 The Message
“To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.”
About the Author
Terry is a man in constant motion to explore new horizons. He has a thirst for new places and faces, and a deep love for the natural world - with a weakness for waterfalls and sunsets. All of this venturing out helps to both ground and inspire him, because it opens him up to people, with their vast, collective array of experiences, outlooks and responses.
He finds all of this fascinating and sees that it has encouraged the growth of something crucial in his Christian development: empathy and compassion toward his brothers and sisters on this planet.