To love my enemies

Stringfellow_Hawke · Sep 17, 2018

I'm failing miserably in this regard. There is a particular group (belief related, not race) that I despise with every fiber of my being. Its hard to see them as redeemable like Christ does. Even harder not to treat them with utter contempt at all times.

Pray for me to be freed from this. I don't want it but it happens instinctively.

well hey · Sep 17, 2018

Forgiveness and removing yourself from offences can take years. Its like a journey God takes you on. Do not be hard on your self for the slow process. Yes we must forgive others as we have been forgiven, but it is hard. Were you in a cult? I was and im on my 15th year in working on all my issues/forgiveness number 1

Pilgrim · Sep 17, 2018

To love my enemies

Stringfellow_Hawke said:
I'm failing miserably in this regard. There is a particular group (belief related, not race) that I despise with every fiber of my being. Its hard to see them as redeemable like Christ does. Even harder not to treat them with utter contempt at all times.

Pray for me to be freed from this. I don't want it but it happens instinctively.

Praying for you. As Jesus would have us love our enemies... (Matthew 5:38-48)

yeshuaslavejeff · Sep 17, 2018

Stringfellow_Hawke said:
I'm failing miserably in this regard. There is a particular group (belief related, not race) that I despise with every fiber of my being. Its hard to see them as redeemable like Christ does. Even harder not to treat them with utter contempt at all times.

Pray for me to be freed from this. I don't want it but it happens instinctively.

Pray to understand and to have perfectly what Yahweh's Way is in all things, including specifically for "them"....... remember that HE SAYS there are those who are CONDEMNED ALREADY DUE TO UNBELIEF .... and HE ALSO SAYS WHO HE HATES in various places in HIS WORD....

(in other words, while man's anger does not work God's Righteousness; Yahweh has and grants righteous indignation daily, appropriately, as He chooses , completely in line with and in perfect harmony with all of His Word and His Compassion and His Mercy and His Judgment (which may be final, or not, as He chooses and sees all things) .... )

brinny · Sep 17, 2018

I can relate. And just as our sister and friend @well hey
said, it's a journey. We're all on this same journey. Praying for you brother, and all of us. God bless us, ev'ry one :groupray:

John Bowen · Sep 17, 2018

Yeah its hard for all of us there is so much division in the world that's created by the fallen ones. What I been taught is to find the humanity in ourselves so we can find the humanity in others .We all came from the same source even though a lot of people reject that.

dqhall · Sep 17, 2018

Stringfellow_Hawke said:
I'm failing miserably in this regard. There is a particular group (belief related, not race) that I despise with every fiber of my being. Its hard to see them as redeemable like Christ does. Even harder not to treat them with utter contempt at all times.

Pray for me to be freed from this. I don't want it but it happens instinctively.

Some Arab Muslims of the 19th century proclaimed Islam is a charitable religion by offering a stranger traveling by camel a free meal (Travels in Deserta Arabia, Charles Doughty, 1888). Other Arabs wanted to rob desert travelers like Mohammad robbed caravans going to Mecca.

Luke 6:32 (WEB) If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

Forgiving as much as possible is a way out of hatred, anger and rage.

Stringfellow_Hawke · Sep 17, 2018

Thanks to all who responded.

I feel like I should do the opposite when around these people but that’s not how I feel inside. It seems like I’d be using deception. Fake it till you make it so to speak. This can’t be right. But then again, doing the opposite of what I’m inclined to do because of my faith in Jesus seems like I’d be denying myself and taking up my cross...

Still pray for me..

@well hey no I was not in a cult.

Stringfellow_Hawke · Sep 17, 2018

Proverbs 10:18 comes to mind. What should I do? I honestly can’t say I hate everyone who adheres to the beliefs in question.

Truth be told, when push comes to shove, I don’t recall anytime when I wasn’t willing to forgive when anyone apologized for wrong doing against me. I don’t recall too many times when I wasn’t the one to back down in a dispute because I genuinely didn’t want any conflict in my life.

I really don’t treat anyone at all any different than anyone else. Sometimes I like to think I’m mean and relentless but when it all boils down it’s just not in me. I’m a big guy. 6’2 220lbs, curling 40lb barbells and dipping 190 lbs. I’m intimidating to some but I’m a gentle giant most of the time.

KayScarpettaFan · Sep 18, 2018

Praying for you....and for me. I am in the same boat, and I don't want to be too.

Deborah D · Sep 19, 2018

Stringfellow_Hawke said:
I'm failing miserably in this regard. There is a particular group (belief related, not race) that I despise with every fiber of my being. Its hard to see them as redeemable like Christ does. Even harder not to treat them with utter contempt at all times.

Pray for me to be freed from this. I don't want it but it happens instinctively.

This is the flesh, the old man, the sinful nature. You are a new creation in Christ. Every day we have to take up our cross and tell that old man that he's been crucified with Christ. If you do this every time the flesh rears its ugly head, this will become instinct, and you will have victory.

musicalpilgrim · Sep 19, 2018

Joining in prayer for you, in Jesus name

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To love my enemies

Stringfellow_Hawke

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well hey

little.soul

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Pilgrim

Praying without ceasing

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yeshuaslavejeff

simple truth, martyr, disciple of Yahshua

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brinny

everlovin' shiner of light in dark places

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John Bowen

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dqhall

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Stringfellow_Hawke

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Stringfellow_Hawke

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KayScarpettaFan

I trust You, Lord

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Deborah D

Prayer Warrior

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musicalpilgrim

pilgrim on the sacred music pathway

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