Hate your enemy!  Get even!  No! No! No!

Follower of Christ – what does God say?  How are we to treat our enemies?
How are we to treat our enemies’ animals and possessions?

(NASB) Exodus 23:4-5  “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him.
5 ‘If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying helpless under its load, you shall refrain from leaving it to him, you shall surely release it with him.”
(underlining added)

Take care of animals, even if the owner hates you!  The LORD God gives us ways we are to show Tender Loving Care even to animals of the one who hates us.

Jesus said:
(NASB) Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’
44 ‘But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

At another time, Jesus said:
(NASB) Luke 6:27-28 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

 Are you listening, are you one of those Jesus said hears His words?
Love your enemies.
Do good to those who hate you!
Bless those who curse you.
Pray for those who mistreat you.

To pray for someone’s good and for God to bless me, I need to forgive those who mistreat me.
Does this mean I stay in an abusive situation?  No.  But – the Lord God says for us to pray for those who mistreat us.

In the Old Testament, God tells His people how to treat their enemies.  God’s word is unchanging.  What was true in the Old Testament is true today.

(NASB) Proverbs 25:21 “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink…”

~ Take it to heart ~

How to Treat Your Enemy
(NASB) Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

To whom do you need to give food, water and/or blessing and prayer?