Romans 12:20-21 (ESV)
20 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.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil
with good.
Between the years 1861-1865 the United States found
itself in the midst of a bitter civil war over the issue of slavery, and
several other serious disagreements. By the time the North won the war nearly
620,000 soldiers had perished. There were many in the North who were so
embittered that the South had dragged them into such a deadly conflict that
they wanted the South to pay dearly.
At the end of the war, a group of Southerners gained an
audience with President Abraham Lincoln. His gentle, kind and friendly
personality quickly softened the hearts of his once-hardened foes and the
Southerners left the interview with a deep respect for the man who had been
their bitter enemy. Not long afterward, a northern congressman criticized
Lincoln for "befriending the enemy!" He suggested that he should have
had them shot for being traitors instead of welcoming them!
I love Lincoln's response. He said, simply , "Am I
not destroying my enemies by making them my friends?"
As we serve the Lord –- we can expect our share of
enemies. Don't let a root of bitterness grow up because of them –- but rather,
seek to win them over with gentleness, kindness, and even love. Show your
enemies the Lord's grace and His peace through your Spirit-controlled
response...and in so doing, you'll "heap coals" upon their heads!
Satan wants to provoke you through their hatred and opposition. Don't let him!
Instead, shock your enemies –- not with angry retaliation...but with Spirit
empowered LOVE! Win them over with love.
Dear Lord, we pray that we would love our enemies and win
them over to You by showing them love. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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