WHO IS YOUR ENEMY?

The Hebrew word for enemy is Oyeb, which is derived from it’s original work Ayab, which means to be hostile to. When we think of our enemies, it is someone who’s hurt you, cheated you or schemed against you to disrupt your life. But in the Gospel of Matthew the word enemy is used for people who we consider family and loved ones.

Matthew 5:44–44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

Matthew 10:34–36–34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’

It’s really amazing to think that whatever Jesus has spoken in the bible gets unraveled and comes to pass in certain situations in one’s life. In Matthew chapter 6 and 10, Jesus speaks about enemies and it is a bit confusing to understand at first. If we take the Hebrew word Ayab — to be hostile towards — a lot more people can come under the category of being the enemy.

In Matthew chapter 10 Jesus paints a rather strange picture about Himself, as well as of the future. It’s one of the few times He comes across as harsh and kind of overpowering. But what does He really mean? When you are saved by Jesus through faith, there takes place a radical change in oneself. I believe it is more spiritual than physical or mental, because the people around you get affected by it too. They become more wary and cautious. Some also move away from your company. What Jesus means by Him bringing a sword into the world, is that His name WILL cause division, it WILL set a man against another man, not because Jesus is conniving, but because He is that light that would cut off the darkness from humanity. It will show the difference between the people who seek the light and the truth and the people who want to stay in the dark. He is right to say your own family will become your enemy — which in other words means, they will become hostile towards you, hate your way in Jesus.

Having said that, Jesus is not saying, that the people who are against you are evil or they are the problem. When people choose to reside in darkness, they lose sight of the true light and get lost. This is what the Devil always waits for. He has no power over God’s spirit, but he can hurt the ones who are devoid of It. This is why,what Jesus speaks in Matthew chapter 5 makes more sense and is so revolutionary. Even before He speaks of division in the household, Jesus tells His disciples how their nature should be towards their enemies. He knew who will hate them and who will drive them away. It’s another way of saying, don’t hate your mother who doesn’t understand your faith and don’t despise your father who loves hates your strength that you have found in Me! They might be your enemies now, but they need your kindness and your love, like your Father in heaven has gives you.

Matthew 5:48–48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Identify your enemy and love them, the way our Father loves us.

AMEN.