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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/11/2008 5:46:39 PM
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deliveredarling
Posts: 973
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quote:
Matthew 5:44 says "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you".
My question is what do you pray for? I mean yes, you should pray for your enemies, but what do you pray for your enemies about? Do you pray that they stop persecuting you? Do you pray that they be blessed, saved?
I struggle with this because I have people in my life who I consider enemies and it is a struggle! Because I like to be at peace with all men (and women) however this is not always possible. Your replies are greatly appreciated, thanks!
Mike
I have not read any of the responses, so I may be repeating.... When I pray for those who are persecuting me, I pray for blessings to be bestowed upon them. I pray for a guarded mouth for me. I pray for love to infiltrate every area of their lives and any pain that I may have I pray for it to be removed from them. Hurt people, hurt people.
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/12/2008 10:32:25 AM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1072
Joined: 1/22/2008
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quote:
Sorry LL, but I have stated that I do not have enemies (save, as someone pointed out, Satan and his angels). How am I deluding myself? So many Christians seem to believe that if other Christians do not have the same experience as them, then they are wrong, or deluding themselves or even not saved. We all have our own tale to tell.
I have no enemies, and I am not fooling myself.
Oh, I'm sorry, SinnerSaved. We do have our own tale to tell. And I am really not one who believes in the cookie cutter Christian pattern---if you knew me, you'd know how far from true that is of me. I celebrate the differences within the body of Christ and love and appreciate those with gifts that are distinctly different and beautiful from those I was given.
But that said, I do believe God's word and I think it is clear that we will have enemies. Therefore the world hates you were the words of Jesus in John 15:19 and I have given them Thy word and the world has hated them in John 17:14. The Sermon on the Mount tells us blessed are you when you are persecuted for righteousness sake and when men cast insults at you and persecute you, and say all kiinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. And the Apostle Paul tells Timothy in 2Tim 3:12 that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
I don't think having enemies is optional for a believer. I hear these verses saying we will have enemies. And I not only believe these words to be true, I have found these words to be true.
Perhaps it is how you define what an enemy is---and that is why I said we are fooling ourselves. We don't want to think of ourselves as having enemies. We are to pursue peace with all men. But Jesus was killed because of the hatred men had for him. And Paul caused riots everywhere he went because of men's hatred for him. So we have to realize that if we are living and speaking God's word into this world, the darkness is going to not like it and respond. Yes, pray we must. But I think we will have enemies if Jesus' life is in us.
Hope this clears up any misunderstanding between us. 
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/12/2008 3:25:42 PM
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lazareth
Posts: 22
Joined: 5/10/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: humbleinspirit
I struggle with this because I have people in my life who I consider enemies and it is a struggle! Because I like to be at peace with all men (and women) however this is not always possible. Your replies are greatly appreciated, thanks!
Mike
Romans 12:20-21 tells us,
" If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap
coals of fire on his head.
Do not be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good."
_____________________________
"Believe your beliefs, and doubt your doubts-
but never believe your doubts, or doubt your beliefs!"
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/12/2008 6:28:01 PM
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SinnerSaved
Posts: 290
Joined: 10/28/2007
From: Belfast, N. Ireland
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Liveloved
But that said, I do believe God's word and I think it is clear that we will have enemies. Therefore the world hates you were the words of Jesus in John 15:19 and I have given them Thy word and the world has hated them in John 17:14. The Sermon on the Mount tells us blessed are you when you are persecuted for righteousness sake and when men cast insults at you and persecute you, and say all kiinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. And the Apostle Paul tells Timothy in 2Tim 3:12 that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
I don't think having enemies is optional for a believer. I hear these verses saying we will have enemies. And I not only believe these words to be true, I have found these words to be true.
Perhaps it is how you define what an enemy is---and that is why I said we are fooling ourselves. We don't want to think of ourselves as having enemies. We are to pursue peace with all men. But Jesus was killed because of the hatred men had for him. And Paul caused riots everywhere he went because of men's hatred for him. So we have to realize that if we are living and speaking God's word into this world, the darkness is going to not like it and respond. Yes, pray we must. But I think we will have enemies if Jesus' life is in us.
Hope this clears up any misunderstanding between us.
All of the scriptures you have quoted above make me an enemy of those who are persecuting me because I am a Christian. They do not make them (those who persecute me) my enemies.
The online dictionary defines enemy as I would define it thus:
One who feels hatred toward, intends injury to, or opposes the interests of another; a foe.
I hold no ill toward anyone, let alone hatred. I intend no injury to anyone, and have no foes. I have no enemies (mortal that is). Others may consider me to be their enemy. That is a matter for their own hearts.
Are you telling me that I should feel hatred for, or intend injury to, those who persecute me?
_____________________________
"No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
John Donne
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/12/2008 6:38:54 PM
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armydude
Posts: 12952
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SinnerSaved
All of the scriptures you have quoted above make me an enemy of those who are persecuting me because I am a Christian. They do not make them (those who persecute me) my enemies.
Well said!
Someone said that people ask him if he dislikes anyone. He replied, "Yeah. I hate the devil. Everybody else is okay."
Sometimes I still struggle with that, but God knows how to steer my heart back in the right direction by prompting me to pray for those that have angered me. I don't stay mad long.
_____________________________
Virtue has more admirers than followers.
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/22/2008 10:11:00 PM
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Dakotasunbeam
Posts: 1146
Joined: 6/2/2005
From: Midwest USA
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quote:
I think it's important to realize that our enemies can be believers as well as non-believers. Problems can arise between believers that are the result of misunderstandings or disagreeing about what God has to say about something. I have had enemies who hurt me incredibly who were wonderful people of God.
*Bold Mine
I'm sorry it is impossible for Christians to be "enemies." We're all on the same team. I'd find it highly suspect if one believer said of another, "That individual is my enemy." No. How can two people who share the same Spirit be enemies? Not possible, unless one is not walking in fellowship with the Lord, and hense is no believer at all.
Difference--even sharp differences over small stuff like worship style, dress, etc. is not something "enemy-worthy."
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/23/2008 3:55:10 PM
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armydude
Posts: 12952
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Dakotasunbeam
quote:
I think it's important to realize that our enemies can be believers as well as non-believers. Problems can arise between believers that are the result of misunderstandings or disagreeing about what God has to say about something. I have had enemies who hurt me incredibly who were wonderful people of God.
*Bold Mine
I'm sorry it is impossible for Christians to be "enemies." We're all on the same team. I'd find it highly suspect if one believer said of another, "That individual is my enemy." No. How can two people who share the same Spirit be enemies? Not possible, unless one is not walking in fellowship with the Lord, and hense is no believer at all.
Difference--even sharp differences over small stuff like worship style, dress, etc. is not something "enemy-worthy."
Not in your eyes. But there are a lot of people that get worked up over small things. As for saying "it is impossible for Christians to be "enemies", no it isn't. It should be, but it isn't.
_____________________________
Virtue has more admirers than followers.
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/23/2008 4:43:52 PM
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small_creation
Posts: 208
Joined: 10/30/2007
From: midwest
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Well, I have a hard time determining who my "enemies" are. Who are they? Have they wronged me, or have I just seen them do wrong and consider that enough to get the "E" tag?
I have had a time with this lately. There is a leader in our church who had been skimming by in their position, proclaiming to know Christ, but not showing the fruits necessary to gain most of the congregations' respect. I have even caught him in a bald-faced lie to get out of some blame. Is he an enemy? Or not?
He definitely feels like he's on the other side in an "us and them" perspective. And I'm not talking exactly believer/non-believer here. He's not relatable, just a bit repulsive.
j
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/23/2008 5:00:57 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1072
Joined: 1/22/2008
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quote:
Are you telling me that I should feel hatred for, or intend injury to, those who persecute me?
No. But the point is you will have enemies---those who regard you as an enemy and treat you as such. And Jesus commands us to love our enemies. So that is our response.
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/24/2008 1:48:32 PM
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humbleinspirit
Posts: 14087
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: Just Outside of Boston
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Dakotasunbeam
quote:
I think it's important to realize that our enemies can be believers as well as non-believers. Problems can arise between believers that are the result of misunderstandings or disagreeing about what God has to say about something. I have had enemies who hurt me incredibly who were wonderful people of God.
*Bold Mine
I'm sorry it is impossible for Christians to be "enemies." We're all on the same team. I'd find it highly suspect if one believer said of another, "That individual is my enemy." No. How can two people who share the same Spirit be enemies? Not possible, unless one is not walking in fellowship with the Lord, and hense is no believer at all.
Difference--even sharp differences over small stuff like worship style, dress, etc. is not something "enemy-worthy."
Sometimes Christians have disagreements and turn against each other. They may be doing harm in what they sincerely believe that they are doing right! Other times they can be in the flesh and causing problems as well.
_____________________________
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/25/2008 12:22:41 AM
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Dakotasunbeam
Posts: 1146
Joined: 6/2/2005
From: Midwest USA
Status: offline
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It is impossible for real christians to be enemies.
quote:
ORIGINAL: armydude
quote:
ORIGINAL: Dakotasunbeam
quote:
I think it's important to realize that our enemies can be believers as well as non-believers. Problems can arise between believers that are the result of misunderstandings or disagreeing about what God has to say about something. I have had enemies who hurt me incredibly who were wonderful people of God.
*Bold Mine
I'm sorry it is impossible for Christians to be "enemies." We're all on the same team. I'd find it highly suspect if one believer said of another, "That individual is my enemy." No. How can two people who share the same Spirit be enemies? Not possible, unless one is not walking in fellowship with the Lord, and hense is no believer at all.
Difference--even sharp differences over small stuff like worship style, dress, etc. is not something "enemy-worthy."
Not in your eyes. But there are a lot of people that get worked up over small things. As for saying "it is impossible for Christians to be "enemies", no it isn't. It should be, but it isn't.
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/25/2008 12:25:46 AM
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Dakotasunbeam
Posts: 1146
Joined: 6/2/2005
From: Midwest USA
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: humbleinspirit
quote:
ORIGINAL: Dakotasunbeam
quote:
I think it's important to realize that our enemies can be believers as well as non-believers. Problems can arise between believers that are the result of misunderstandings or disagreeing about what God has to say about something. I have had enemies who hurt me incredibly who were wonderful people of God.
*Bold Mine
I'm sorry it is impossible for Christians to be "enemies." We're all on the same team. I'd find it highly suspect if one believer said of another, "That individual is my enemy." No. How can two people who share the same Spirit be enemies? Not possible, unless one is not walking in fellowship with the Lord, and hense is no believer at all.
Difference--even sharp differences over small stuff like worship style, dress, etc. is not something "enemy-worthy."
Sometimes Christians have disagreements and turn against each other. They may be doing harm in what they sincerely believe that they are doing right! Other times they can be in the flesh and causing problems as well.
Christians can have disagreements. But to turn against someone requires so malintent on someon's part. That is not what God has called us to. He has called us to peace and furvant love among the brothern. Disagreements, sure. Enemies, never. We have the Holy Spirit.
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/25/2008 7:25:24 AM
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armydude
Posts: 12952
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Dakotasunbeam
It is impossible for real christians to be enemies.
quote:
ORIGINAL: armydude
quote:
ORIGINAL: Dakotasunbeam
quote:
I think it's important to realize that our enemies can be believers as well as non-believers. Problems can arise between believers that are the result of misunderstandings or disagreeing about what God has to say about something. I have had enemies who hurt me incredibly who were wonderful people of God.
*Bold Mine
I'm sorry it is impossible for Christians to be "enemies." We're all on the same team. I'd find it highly suspect if one believer said of another, "That individual is my enemy." No. How can two people who share the same Spirit be enemies? Not possible, unless one is not walking in fellowship with the Lord, and hense is no believer at all.
Difference--even sharp differences over small stuff like worship style, dress, etc. is not something "enemy-worthy."
Not in your eyes. But there are a lot of people that get worked up over small things. As for saying "it is impossible for Christians to be "enemies", no it isn't. It should be, but it isn't.
I see we're going to disagree on this. I hope we can do so without being disagreeable. But it is possible for real Christians to miss the mark on things. I believe one of those things is holding a grudge when it shouldn't be done. Remember, we're called to holiness, but how many actually achieve it? Note that I never said it was advisable, but that it's possible.
_____________________________
Virtue has more admirers than followers.
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/25/2008 8:14:53 PM
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makarizo
Posts: 2774
Joined: 4/13/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: armydude
I see we're going to disagree on this. I hope we can do so without being disagreeable. But it is possible for real Christians to miss the mark on things. I believe one of those things is holding a grudge when it shouldn't be done. Remember, we're called to holiness, but how many actually achieve it? Note that I never said it was advisable, but that it's possible.
armydude, when in war, don't you need to hate your enemy -regardless of what there faith might be -, need to be prepared to kill them, and then not call it murder?
I know there is a way to accomplish this, I just don't understand how.
_____________________________
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/25/2008 10:22:20 PM
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armydude
Posts: 12952
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: doer
quote:
ORIGINAL: armydude
I see we're going to disagree on this. I hope we can do so without being disagreeable. But it is possible for real Christians to miss the mark on things. I believe one of those things is holding a grudge when it shouldn't be done. Remember, we're called to holiness, but how many actually achieve it? Note that I never said it was advisable, but that it's possible.
armydude, when in war, don't you need to hate your enemy -regardless of what there faith might be -, need to be prepared to kill them, and then not call it murder?
I know there is a way to accomplish this, I just don't understand how.
That is taking this thread off topic I think, although the mods would have the last say on that. If you would like to email me or PM me to continue feel free, but I can say that I have been in combat, and I didn't hate anyone. I don't hate anyone. Scratch that. I hate the devil. Everyone else is okay.
_____________________________
Virtue has more admirers than followers.
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/25/2008 11:48:56 PM
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makarizo
Posts: 2774
Joined: 4/13/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: armydude
quote:
ORIGINAL: doer
quote:
ORIGINAL: armydude
I see we're going to disagree on this. I hope we can do so without being disagreeable. But it is possible for real Christians to miss the mark on things. I believe one of those things is holding a grudge when it shouldn't be done. Remember, we're called to holiness, but how many actually achieve it? Note that I never said it was advisable, but that it's possible.
armydude, when in war, don't you need to hate your enemy -regardless of what there faith might be -, need to be prepared to kill them, and then not call it murder?
I know there is a way to accomplish this, I just don't understand how.
That is taking this thread off topic I think, although the mods would have the last say on that. If you would like to email me or PM me to continue feel free, but I can say that I have been in combat, and I didn't hate anyone. I don't hate anyone. Scratch that. I hate the devil. Everyone else is okay.
Praying for your enemies is what this thread is about..... and I for the life of me can't even begin to imagine "being in combat" in the spirit of love..."praying for your enemies" how was off topic?
I asked a valid question, not to bash, not to disagree, a genuine curiosity about something that you had the ability to answer concerning praying for your enemies....... but I think you just danced around my question, and that is okay.
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/26/2008 12:48:40 AM
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armydude
Posts: 12952
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
Status: offline
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I did not purposefully dance around your question.
A direct answer, NO, you do not need to hate your enemy in war. You just have to outsmart him.
ETA: I did pray for the local Iraqi population while in combat. I did not consider them my personal enemy, but rather the enemy of the U.S. Maybe that's it? The people that count me as their enemy have not rejected me. They've rejected the One that sent me, whomever that may be. In combat, that happened to be the U.S.
< Message edited by armydude -- 5/26/2008 12:57:34 AM >
_____________________________
Virtue has more admirers than followers.
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RE: Praying For Your Enemies - 5/26/2008 1:40:39 AM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3680
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
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We are a family. Not all families get along even though we all love each other. Praying for enemies to me means praying for those who are not in our family.
Jesus said...those aren't my brothers or my mother....these are, those who believe in me. That is pretty clear. A family.
You can love your family and have problems with them and you can love those outside your family and get along with them but in the true sence...you only have ONE family and all else are...enemies....or maybe better put...
outsiders. We naturally pray for those we have a relationship with, our family. Its not so natural to pray for those outside our family and I think this is all Jesus wants us to do. To pray for those not in the family yet.
In doing so we develop a closer relationship with them, even if they are not in the family.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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