“What Should You Do When Someone Hates You?”

“What Should You Do When Someone Hates You?”

            ^{I’m realizing more and more that you and I are in the midst of a spiritual war with unseen spiritual forces. Whether your battle is happening in the public school district, at your workplace, in your neighborhood, in the political arena or, God forbid, in your church, you who are faithful Christ-followers have a target on your backs because you are choosing to stand with Christ on the side of the truth of God’s Word.}

         ^{With less than two weeks until election day, our ears continue to be filled with all kinds of rhetoric that’s both unscriptural and ungodly. Let me encourage you to stand firmly on the truth of God’s Word. Don’t forget that our one true God is stronger than the devil. Keep the words of Peter always before you: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV).}

         ^{I’m not sure what your battle is against today, but know this . . . You are NOT without proper weapons in that battle! The apostle Paul said this in his second letter to the Corinthians: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV).}

         ^{When you’re standing toe-to-toe with your enemy, whether he’s your child’s school teacher who insists on pushing his liberal atheistic agenda, your coworker who insists that an unborn child is merely a mass of tissue, your neighbor who refuses to clean up his junky yard, or a fellow church member who hates your guts, let me remind you how Jesus wants you to deal with your enemies.}

^{Love your enemy! Jesus said in Matthew 5:43-44, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” I know . . . that’s easier said than done, right? I don’t think Jesus expects us to slobber all over our enemies, but He does expect us to show His Father’s kind of love that’s recorded in 1 Corinthians 13. Show God’s kind of love to those who hate you. Don’t reciprocate their hate.}

^{Forgive them. Paul said in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” I know what you’re thinking. It’s super hard to forgive that person who refuses to even talk to you or text you or respond to any of your attempts to communicate with them. But since God has forgiven you much, find it in you to forgive that person who hates you. Unforgiveness is a burden that keeps you chained to your past and incapable of reaching your future. When you forgive those you hate, it brings you freedom. Forgiving releases your heart from carrying around resentment and bitterness.}

^{Pray for them. Are you praying for those individuals who refuse to even worship with you? I am. Why? Because Jesus told us in Matthew 5:44 to “pray for those who persecute you.” It’s impossible to hate someone you’re praying for! Pray for that person who has hurt you, broken your heart or betrayed you, and you’ll find that as you ask God to move in his or her life your hurt will slowly fade.}

^{For those of you who will be worshiping at the Mt. Laurel Church of God this coming Sunday, October 27, God’s message through Pastor Dale will be from Job 42:1-17. Consider reading this Scripture before coming to worship or before watching on Facebook so your heart is ready to hear the Holy Spirit’s voice.}

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.