
Most Christians know that Jesus said to love your enemies. It’s something you’ve likely heard in sermons or advice offered to you. But for something that’s a fundamental part of the Lord’s teachings, loving your enemies can seem nearly impossible. To our human instincts, extending empathy and compassion to our enemies goes against our natural inclination — and some of our worst instincts. Instead of extending an olive branch, we’re more likely to seek revenge or, at the very least, harbor resentment. How are we supposed to overcome human nature and become more Christ-like in this regard?
The answer lies in studying what the Bible says on the topic. In these five lessons from Jesus on loving your enemies, you’ll notice that it takes active, intentional effort to respond with grace instead of hostility. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the first lesson.
Lesson 1: Do Good to Those That Hate You
The concept of loving your enemies comes from Matthew 5:44:
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Here, we see that Jesus calls us to a higher standard that transcends our natural human reaction to those opposing us. Not only does He say to love our enemies, but to do good to those who hate us. While this can seem like a radical notion, it’s not. It's actually the foundation for showing compassion to those who work against us. The lesson here is that we approach God’s unconditional love for all humans by being kind to our enemies.
Lesson 2: Bless Those Who Attack You Verbally
Luke 6:28 adds another layer to the practical application of loving our enemies:
“Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”
This verse teaches us how to respond to verbal attacks and negativity. When someone curses us, our first reaction might be to retaliate with insults of our own. We might choose to defend ourselves with harsh words or simply withdraw into negative feelings. But Jesus calls us to a different response: blessing.
To bless someone who curses us means to speak well of them. Instead of cursing them back, we should wish them well. We should even pray for their good fortune. This isn’t about condoning their behavior or pretending that their words don’t hurt. It’s about recognizing the humanity of the person cursing us and breaking the cycle of negativity.
Lesson 3: Forgive Those Who Sin Against You
Matthew 6:14-15 offers guidance about forgiveness, especially for those who sin against you:
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
In this context, “trespasses” refer to sins. So what we’re instructed to do here is forgive those who have wronged us. This is important because forgiveness is at the heart of Jesus’s message. Holding onto resentment and bitterness towards those who have hurt you creates a barrier not only between you and them but also between you and God.
But when we forgive those who sin against us, we reflect God's very nature, which is merciful and gracious. That said, reconciliation isn’t always a part of forgiving others. Forgiveness is primarily an internal process that relieves you of heavy internal burdens.
Lesson 4: Strive for Perfection
Jesus’s primary teachings on loving your enemies come from the Sermon on the Mount, primarily covered in Matthew 5:43-47. However, the very next verse, Matthew 5:48, offers an interesting postscript:
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
When Jesus commands us to be “perfect,” He’s not talking about flawless, sinless living in the absolute sense. Instead, He’s referring to a wholehearted devotion to God that extends even to our enemies. This "perfection" is about embodying God's own impartial love. God shows kindness to both the righteous and the unrighteous, sending rain on the just and the unjust alike (Matthew 5:45). This is the standard Jesus sets for his followers, and it’s how we should treat our enemies.
Lesson 5: Love One Another
In John 13:34-35, Jesus offers a “new commandment.” While it doesn’t specifically mention enemies, the message is relevant:
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Here, we learn how to treat everyone, including those who oppose us. This teaching, given by Jesus during the Last Supper, reinforces that Jesus loved unconditionally. The love He speaks of is not limited to those who love us back. It extends to everyone, including those who may persecute or mistreat us. By loving one another, no matter who it is, we let the world know we are one of Jesus’s disciples.
What Jesus Tells Us About Loving Your Enemy
Loving our enemies is undoubtedly one of the most challenging aspects of the Christian faith. It goes against our natural human instincts and requires a radical shift in attitude. However, as we’ve explored through these lessons from Jesus’s teachings, it’s possible if we try. This kind of love is not easy, but it is powerful. It breaks cycles of negativity and fosters healing and reconciliation.