This Bible verse referred to in the title above is found in Luke 6:27-36 dealing with praying for those who hate,misuse,or mistreat us. That is pretty tall order to try to pray for someone who is unkind to us or maybe does not like us. But we are not to seek revenge and we are not to stoop to their level and be ugly as well. Someone may be a victim of 'verbal abuse' yet you are supposed to just take it and keep quiet? According to this scripture, yes. This verse goes on to say not just to pray, but to LOVE them. Oh my gosh!! How do you do that to someone who is mean to you or says hurtful or cruel things? What about a friend who has shut you out of their life and behind your back has said hurtful things? You are to love them regardless. Some may not even be willing to forgive and forget but you have to simply forgive them or you will end up seething with bitterness and not be very effective for the kingdom of God. Hebrews 12:15 says "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."
The person mistreating you may be a friend, or worse yet, a family member or relative. For instance, if it is a spouse, it is very hard to take and very hurtful. Verbal tongue lashings by the person who took a vow to love til death do us part is hard to understand. But we need to keep our mouth closed and give it to God. We are according to the scripture above to 'turn the other cheek' and say nothing. Also we are to treat others the way we want to be treated. In Romans 12:21 it says "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." It does not say "You deserve to let them have it!"
You have to 'choose' to let things go or you will fuel the fire and arguments will never end. Be the bigger person by ignoring an offense. The more you do it the easier it becomes. Turn the person hurting you over to the Lord. Sunday our message in church dealt with this same thing. It is unnatural to not want to fight or get back at someone but we are to be 'supernatural' in the way we react to those around us whether they deserve to be treated nice or not. Proverbs 19:11 tells us to "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."
So do you love only those who love you? We are to do good to our enemies. Be merciful and be kind. God is watching and he knows it is painful to be hurt but in the end you will win the battle. Your assignment is to read the verses in Luke above and give any problems over to the Lord.
PRAYER: Dear Lord I need your help to react in a positive way to those in my life who are being ugly to me. I do not feel like it at times so I need your strength to react like you would react and that is to be kind and ignore the offense. Give me your power to do this. In Jesus Name, amen!
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