Wisdom Calls Us to “If Your Enemy . . . “

Proverbs 25:21, 22 NIV

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

Proverbs 25:22 NIV
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink

Proverbs 24:17, 18 NIV
Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, 18 or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.

Matthew 5:43-45 NIV
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

Romans 12:14-21 NIV
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Proverbs 1:7 NIV
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Romans 12:19 NIV
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

John 15:5 NIV
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Ephesians 5:18 NIV
. . . be filled with the Spirit,

Romans 8:26-39 NIV
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness . . .

Galatians 5:22-26 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Proverbs 25:22 NIV
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

Romans 12:11 NIV
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:20, 21 NIV
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

John 16:33 NIV
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Matthew 5:10-14 NIV
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the earth. . 14 “You are the light of the world. . .

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

** Philippians 2:10, 11 NIV**
. . . that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 20:11-21:4 NIV
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, THOUGHTS and THINGS TO PONDER

• For your personal discipleship, discussion with family, your LIFE HACK Group, or a watch party

• Ask yourself: Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

• What stood out to you in the message?

A Wise call to a Radical Response

• Proverbs 25:22 begins with “if your enemy…” Enemies may come from a variety of types of people: Political, Relational, Family, Theological, Religious, Racial, etc. Who do you think are your enemies?

• Even though they may not be “actual” enemies, of those who oppose you or the things that you value, who do you think of as enemies?

• Are you responding to them in your actions, thinking, and heart in a way that honors God?

• Do you pray for them? Yes No Make a list now and pray.

A Wise Call to a Radical Reliance

• How is your engagement with Scripture informing your responses to the various situations in your life that may cause discord or tension?

• Be filled with the Spirit… the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses… Keep in step with the Spirit… We are all truly dependent on the Holy Spirit, what can you do to actively increase your awareness of the Spirit and your dependance on Him?

A Wise Call to a Radical Hope

• The hope we have is that God will transform people’s lives. How have you seen “life-change” around you and how can that knowledge help you have hope for others?

• Even if there is never life-change God promises that He will judge and make all things new. How can this knowledge give you strength to have a godly response to your enemies?

Bonus Content:

• Here are a few resources to help you see this type of living in action.

Books:

In the Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham
For American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham, what started out as a relaxing, once-in-a-lifetime anniversary getaway at an exotic island resort turned into one of the most horrific nightmares imaginable. Kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf, a terrorist group with ties to Osama bin Laden, the Burnhams were snatched away from friends and family and thrust into a life on the run in the Philippine jungle

Through Gates of Splendor by Elizabeth Elliot
Based on the story of 5 missionaries martyred by the Auca Indians in 1956.
Five missionaries went into the land of the savage Aucas. Their offer of friendship was rejected, and the Aucas killed the missionaries. Elisabeth Elliot, wife of one of the martyrs, her daughter and Rachel Saint would not give up and eventually lived among and brought the Gospel to the Aucas.

To End All Wars by Ernest Gordon
(WWII) The story of Ernest Gordon’s life in the Death House–in a prison camp by the River Kwai. ’When Ernest Gordon was twenty-four he was captured by the Japanese and forced, with other British prisoners, to build the notorious ‘Railroad of Death’, where nearly 16,000 Prisoners of War gave their life.

Movies
Through Gates of Splendor - not rated

To End All Wars – Rated R