Love Thy Enemies

Not just “Love Thy Neighbor”, which in itself can be a difficult thing.

But “Love your enemies”. That’s a powerful message, and it turns out, one of the greatest challenges in life.

And this is a universal problem: the hatred we feel for other people, hatred that wells up inside of us and causes destructive actions, for people who might have harmed us in some way but in the end are fellow human beings who we must live with in a common society.

And it’s an idea that was taught not only by Christ, but by Buddha, Gandhi, and many other great people and religions.

What Does “Love Your Enemy” Mean?

“Your enemy” doesn’t just mean the enemy of your state, of course. We’re not talking about terrorists or … we’re talking about people you really dislike, in any way.

To “Love Your Enemy” is to find it in your heart to put aside any wrongs, and to love them as a fellow human being.   … and if possible, express it through words, or by doing something nice, or with a smile.

“The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.” - Mother Teresa

Why Should I Love My Enemy?


 But let’s look briefly at a few strong reasons:

• You’ll be happier. 
• You could change that person’s life. 
• You could make a friend. 
• You set a better example for others. 
• It’s better for society. 
• It’s a test of you as a person. 

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

10 Tips For Loving Your Enemy:

1. Stop, breathe, detach yourself. 
2. Put yourself in their shoes. 
3. Seek to understand. 
4. Seek to accept. 
5. Forgive, and let the past go. 
6. Find something to love. 
7. See them as yourself, or a loved one. 
8. Find common ground. 
9. Open your heart. 
10. Reach out to them.