Kindness To Our Enemies is Rewarding
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
Every time I read this passage I am reminded of the story of a woman who went to her pastor for counsel. Her husband was treating her badly and she wanted to know what she should do. With this passage in mind the pastor asked her, “Have you tried heaping coals on his head?” Her answer was, “No, but I did hit him with the frying pan once.”
Don’t miss the point in these verses. God is not asking us to mess with an enemy by being kind, he is simply teaching us that we should be kind, even to our enemies.
All too often we tend to respond “in kind” rather than with kindness. There was once a person who was treating me very badly and had betrayed a trust. At first I began to treat this person with the disrespect that “they deserved,” then I realized that I was allowing this person to change me into someone I didn’t like. I made the conscious decision to respond to this person with kindness.
A mutual friend observed what was happening and asked why I was kind to this other person. I answered, “I refuse to allow that persons weakness to affect who I am.” That is what God is calling us to – Let Christ shine through you at all times.
Kindness to our enemies in their time of need produces a double blessing. Our enemies are blessed and our kindness releases God's blessings upon us.
Prayer: Grant me the grace to respond with the love of Christ in every situation. In Jesus name. Amen.
Message: Do not allow your detractors to frame who you are by responding to them in kind. Kindness to our enemies in their time of need produces a double blessing. Our enemies are blessed and our kindness releases God's blessings upon us.
Affirmation: When kindness is in my spirit then even my enemies will taste the sweet kindness of God’s love.
Reflection: If the world would only realize the truth of the power of kindness we would see fewer conflicts between those who disagree. What are some practical ways you can return kindness to those with whom you disagree?
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