God’s Word for Today

11 June, 2025

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,

and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

22 for you will heap burning coals on his head,

and the LORD will reward you.

-Prov 25:21,22 ESV

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

These verses are quoted in the New Testament by Paul (Rom 12:20). Human nature instinctively seeks revenge. And, this leads to an endless cycle of retaliations and more violence. A more radical yet effective strategy to stop this hate to escalate is to show compassion and love for those who wrong us. This diffuses their need for retaliation. This can lead to self-reflection and a change of heart (Mat 5:39). This does not recommend attempting to "do good" with malicious intent. Rather, we do good simply because we are called to do so. Leaving vengeance to God is wise. Why? It is because He is much more capable than we are (Deut 32:35).

Jesus is our example. The apostle Peter reminds us that when He was reviled, "he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23). The command to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev 19:18; Mark 12:31) applies not only to those who are easy to love but also to those who harm us. The idea applies to more than simply offering bread and water for it is to respond to ill-treatment with kindness like Christ.

The English phrase "kill them with kindness" is related to this proverb. However, that expression implies a deliberate intent to create misery or angst. The reference to burning coals is not a suggestion about pain or even punishment. An ancient Egyptian ritual involved carrying a pan of burning coals on the head as a sign of repentance. Kind acts, towards the very person who has harmed us, are intended to encourage repentance. This teaching indicates that God will bless those who treat their enemies kindly. That not only motivated by avoiding further retaliation and promoting understanding. This also reflects someone who correctly understands their personal need for forgiveness (Mat 6:14–15). It is a reflection to how God showed His love to us when we were His enemies by giving His Son for us (Rom 5:8).

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