Bless my enemies? But Lord, they ______. And we can all fill in the blank of how we are maligned, bullied and brought down low by those who seek to hurt our reputation. Enemies are against every word we say. Enemies try to rally a group of folks to come against us. Enemies are those who are probably hurting or have been hurt and the wound never healed. Hurt people hurt people.

Who will stop the cycle of hurt? We have the choice and the power of Jesus Name behind us and in us to bless not retaliate. Who is our real enemy? Satan, himself, who uses the same old tactics he used since the beginning of time. He goes against God Himself to try to lure others to “his side” of thinking so he can ultimately destroy what God has created…souls for Him, to be nurtured at His best.

“Bless those who curse you” was what Jesus said before Paul said it to the Romans. We all have “that person” who bullies us at the office or in our families, tearing down any good that we might do for others because they desperately and selfishly need to be recognized, to be on top, to be the ruler of every conversation. But to retaliate is fruitless. To live in such a way that what they say is noticably not true is better. To curse them brings you down to a level that is not of God.

Jesus set aside His Glory, His rightful place in heaven, to come down to where we are and teach us how to do this. If you don’t know how to bless those who curse you, then read the gospels once more. He was beaten to a pulp, carried his own cross, nailed to it, then hoisted up by ropes to keep his body there until he died. Before he died, He said, “Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they are doing.” THAT is a blessing, not a curse.

Jesus then rose from the grave and will be coming back for His own…soon. Sooner than we think. Live as if it were today. Bless our enemies. Yes, I get it.

Dear Heavenly Father, We have a choice to curse or to bless every day. Give us Your power to choose well, to live well so others will know you more. We pray for our enemies this morning. We pray that their fears are lifted, that past hurts are healed, that they will know you more and in such a way that they will stop listening to evil and begin to live for You. Then they will no longer be enemies. Bring us peace today. In Jesus Name, Amen