articlesforchristians

There are times when we have to deal with people who are not friendly. Sometimes they are downright rude, hateful, mean, and/or evil. What does the Bible say about what to do in these situations? It has several things to say. Most of the things go against what the world would say.

• Love them.
  • Matthew 5:44 ESV
    • But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
  • Matthew 5:43-48 ESV
    • “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? …
  • Luke 6:27 ESV
    • “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
• Pray for them.
  • Matthew 5:44 ESV
    • But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
  • Luke 6:27-28 ESV / 286 helpful votes
    • “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
• Forgive them.
  • Luke 23:34 ESV
    • And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
• Be kind to them and help them when they need it.
  • Luke 6:27-28 ESV
    • “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
  • 1 Peter 3:9 ESV
    • Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
  • Proverbs 25:21-22 ESV
    • If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
  • Proverbs 20:22 ESV
    • Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
  • Romans 12:17-21 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
    • Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
• Don’t rejoice in their downfall.
  • Proverbs 24:17-18 ESV
    • Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.
  • Obadiah 1:12 ESV
    • But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress.