In the biblical context, the term "enemy" can refer to personal adversaries, national foes, or spiritual opponents. The Scriptures provide guidance on how believers are to understand and interact with their enemies, emphasizing themes of love, justice, and divine sovereignty.

Old Testament References

1. Personal Enemies: The Old Testament often addresses the reality of personal enemies and the appropriate response to them. In Exodus 23:4-5, the Israelites are instructed to return a stray animal to their enemy, demonstrating a principle of kindness and integrity: "If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it."

2. National Enemies: Israel's history is marked by conflicts with surrounding nations. God often used these enemies as instruments of judgment or as a means to test and refine His people. Deuteronomy 20:1 provides assurance of divine presence in battle: "When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you."

3. Divine Justice: The Psalms frequently express a desire for God's justice against enemies. Psalm 37:1-2 advises, "Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. For they will wither quickly like grass and fade like the green herb."

New Testament Teachings

1. Love for Enemies: Jesus Christ revolutionized the understanding of how to treat enemies. In Matthew 5:44, He commands, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This teaching emphasizes the transformative power of love and prayer.

2. Spiritual Warfare: The New Testament expands the concept of enemies to include spiritual forces. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

3. Overcoming Evil with Good: Romans 12:20-21 encourages a proactive approach to dealing with enemies: "On the contrary, 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Divine Sovereignty and Protection

Throughout Scripture, there is a consistent theme of God's sovereignty over enemies. Believers are assured of God's ultimate control and protection. Psalm 23:5 declares, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." This imagery conveys God's provision and blessing even amidst adversarial circumstances.

Final Victory

The Bible concludes with the promise of final victory over all enemies, both physical and spiritual. Revelation 20:10 proclaims the ultimate defeat of Satan: "And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."

In summary, the Scriptures provide a comprehensive view of enemies, urging believers to respond with love, trust in God's justice, and remain steadfast in spiritual warfare, assured of God's ultimate victory.Exodus 23:5
If you see the ass of him that hates you lying under his burden, and would forbear to help him, you shall surely help with him.
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Job 31:29,30
If I rejoice at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:
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Psalm 35:1-28
Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
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Proverbs 24:17,18
Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles:
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Proverbs 25:21,22
If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
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Matthew 5:43-48
You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.
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Luke 6:27-36
But I say to you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
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Romans 12:14,20
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
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Concerning the Scriptures.
... particular station, and not only the general terms of ... them against the devices of
the enemy, and to ... difficulties that occur to us concerning the scriptures. ...
/.../proposition iii concerning the scriptures.htm

Concerning Perseverance, and the Possibility of Falling from Grace ...
... lieth the truth apparent in the scriptures, which God ... armed against all the temptations
of the enemy. ... scripture abundantly declareth, both in general and as to ...
/.../proposition ix concerning perseverance and.htm

The Twenty-First Article they Absolutely Condemn, Because we do ...
... heaven they pray for the Church in general, albeit no ... of grace, protect us from the
enemy; receive us ... administered governments [as in the Holy Scriptures it is ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 26 the twenty-first article.htm

Athanasius is Again Banished; Concerning Eleusius, Bishop of ...
... to expel him from their city as a public enemy. ... success to the explanation of the
Sacred Scriptures; he had made some attainments in general knowledge, and ...
/.../chapter xv athanasius is again banished.htm

The Typical Significance of the Scriptures Declare their Divine ...
... thro' a strange country and meet with enemy forces, that ... From beginning to end the
Scriptures testify of Christ ... and rams, all pointed forward in general and in ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter six the typical significance.htm

The General Deliverance
... 2. But how are these Scriptures reconcilable to the present state ... of him that is
now their common enemy, " man ... A general view of this is given us in the twenty ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 60 the general deliverance.htm

Concerning Perfection.
... should no less, yea often much more, serve his enemy? ... hath made them strain and wrest
the scriptures for an ... apostle saith of many saints in general, Ephesians 2 ...
/.../proposition viii concerning perfection.htm

Dr. Martin Luther Concerning Penitence and Indulgences.
... to be proved by any reasoning or any scriptures, that they ... as the Pope has over
purgatory in general, such has ... they permit an impious man and an enemy of God ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/disputation of dr martin luther.htm

Preface to the Emperor Charles V.
... that most atrocious, hereditary, and ancient enemy of the ... manner of doctrine from
the Holy Scriptures and the ... Pontiff for the convening of a General Council. ...
/.../various/the augsburg confession of faith/preface to the emperor charles.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... called Your Grace, appears to be an enemy to grace ... which is all one, make void this
general prohibition of ... an oath to interpret the holy scriptures according to ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

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