Do Good to Those Who Oppose You

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES The Keys to a Blessed Life

Do Good to Those Who Oppose You By Rick Warren — Nov 12, 2015 “Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.” (Luke 6:27b-29 NLT, second edition) When you’re persecuted, harassed, and face opposition, you need to respond with a blessing. Jesus says in Luke 6:27-29, “Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also” (NLT, second edition). Who does that?! Not many people, actually. It’s what sets Christians apart, because it’s not a natural or popular or easy response. It takes a lot of courage to do those things! Any fool can fight back. Any wimp can retaliate. Any idiot can say something mean back. Even parrots can be taught to curse. God wants you to love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who hurt you, and turn the other cheek. Is that easy? No. You can only do it by being filled with God’s love. And, it is the most powerful form of witness. In the movie The Butler, they show the Freedom Riders, who fought racism in the South during the Civil Rights Movement, train people how to not retaliate when they’re hit, spit on, cursed, pushed, or when people throw food at them. It’s a very powerful scene of taking a nonviolent stance. As I watched that scene, tears started coming down my face. I thought, “I want to be that kind of person for Jesus. I want to be that brave. I want to have a heart of courage that won’t cave in to what’s wrong, no matter what they throw at me. And I want to respond with love.” When you refuse to retaliate and instead respond in love at work or with somebody who doesn’t like you, God will be pleased. And, you’re going to be blessed. “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven” (Matthew 5:10-12a). Jesus paid a price for you. He says there’s a price to be paid for following him. Popularity on Earth is not part of the guarantee of being a Christian, but your reward in Heaven is a guarantee. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What is your faith costing you? How are you willing to suffer for Jesus Christ? How does your answer affect the way you handle insults or disapproval? Why is responding in love and not retaliation the most powerful form of witness for Christ? Today’s Scripture “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5, NKJV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS Strength under Control When most people hear that word “meek,” they think of a weak, shy, reserved or timid person who lets everybody run all over them. But that’s not at all what it means to be meek. Meekness is not weakness; it’s strength under control. Meekness is like a wild horse that has been tamed. He’s just as strong, just as powerful, has just as much speed as before; but now that strength is under control. You can walk up to that horse, pet him, lead him around, and ride him. But don’t be fooled. He has the same power and tenacity as before; he’s just learned how to control it. When you’re a meek person, you don’t have to go around trying to straighten everybody out. You don’t respond to every critic. People may be talking about you, but you don’t let it bother you. You may have the power to do something about it, but you realize your time is too valuable. You don’t fall for every distraction. Instead, you keep your focus on what God has called you to do. That’s meekness—having strength under control! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for the blessing of meekness. I choose today to be a person of self-control. Help me to know when to speak and when to listen, when to respond and when to hold back. Help me to honor You in everything I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.”