Love your enemies Turn away evil

An enemy is one opposed to us (our faith) or one we know is an enemy and not a friend or a brother because it is in some way obvious. This is who we are commanded to love. This is undeniable.

Enemy = exthrós – properly, an enemy; someone openly hostile

I submit that love your enemy does not mean embrace or protect a deceiver or one who claims to be one of us (believers) but practices evil.

Note: the definition of Love in 1 Corinthians 13 includes “does not rejoice in evil” vs6 Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth.

I believe we do not protect evil because of the following scriptures.

·       2 Timothy 3:1-5 ... a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!

·       Ephesians 5:11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

·       Ephesians 5:6-7Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

·       2 John 1:11 Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.

·       1 Corinthians 5:11 … not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

DO NOT BE OVERCOME … BUT OVERCOME!!!

How do we overcome evil with good?

1.     Deny fellowship -- Ephesians 5:11 et al. see the above

2.     Expose the evil  -- Ephesians 5:11

3.     Ask for the good  -- Matthew 7:11

4.     Speak the truth -- Ephesians 4:25

5.     Protect the innocent -- 1 Corinthians 13:7 stegó = to protect or keep by covering

6.     Ward off the evil   -- 1 Corinthians 13:7 stegó = Definition: I cover, conceal, ward off

7.     Demolish strongholds  -- 2 Corinthians 10:4