Ministry To Your Enemies

Exodus 23:4-5: "If you come across your enemy's ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it."


The Word of the Lord tells us that we are not to wish evil or to withhold assistance to those who are not kind to us. We are not to stand idly by, when we have the opportunity to amend our enemy's misfortune by our intervention. This is love at its finest; it is the willingness to bless those who do not have our best interests at heart.


Solomon echoes this dictate, when he writes "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you" (Proverbs 25:21-22). Notice that the Lord rewards those who respond to the evil intent of their enemies with kindness and blessing. Nothing goes beyond the eyes of the Lord; He sees all things and is able to reward those who endure the hardships of their enemies by reciprocating love to them (see Hebrews 4:13).


Notice also that by bestowing blessing to one's enemy, one is "heaping burning coals on his enemy's head." Whereas one might think that this means that the enemy is even more enraged by this act of love, in reality, the responsive kindness will bring intense, burning pangs of conscience to the enemy for his wickedness. As he observes the generosity of the one to whom he has harmed, he himself will be overcome with contrition and regret for his debased behavior. In the end, this "enemy" may in fact repent of his waywardness and return to fellowship with the one he has once violated.

Jesus also teaches us how we are to relate to our enemies who would wish evil for us: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven . . . . Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:43-45,48). One of the evidences of spiritual transformation for the believer is his ability through the power of the Holy Spirit to love and pray for his enemies. Jesus tells us that this disposition of love is one of the fruits of perfection that is demonstrated by the children of God. They do not permit the evil deeds perpetrated against them to cause a vehement hatred to well up within them so that they would wish evil for their enemies or even enact evil in return. And of course, the willingness to love others is made manifest in one's determination to help his enemies when they are in need. This is what the Exodus 23 passage above suggests.

As followers of Jesus Christ, let's live lives of love towards those around us, including our enemies. We know that this is the will of God for us; and He will bless us for loving our enemies and seeking to minister to them when they are in need.