Dealing with enemies can be a challenging aspect of life, testing our patience, resilience, and faith. Yet, the Bible provides valuable insights on how to navigate conflicts and respond with love and forgiveness. Join us as we explore verses that offer wisdom and guidance for facing enemies with grace, courage, and the transformative power of God’s love.
Bible Verses About Enemies
Matthew 5:44 – Love your enemies and pray for them
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Romans 12:20 – Overcome evil with kindness
“On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'”
Luke 6:27 – Offering kindness instead of retaliation
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
Proverbs 25:21 – Acts of kindness can soften hearts
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”
Romans 5:10 – God’s love even for enemies
“For if while we were God’s enemies we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”
Exodus 23:4 – A call to righteousness even for foes
“If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it.”
Matthew 10:36 – Understanding the challenges from within
“A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”
Psalm 23:5 – God’s provision in the face of adversaries
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
1 Peter 3:9 – Responding to evil with blessings
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
Psalm 37:1 – Trust God despite the existence of adversaries
“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong.”
Proverbs 16:7 – Pleasing God brings peace even among foes
“When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.”
Matthew 5:39 – The power of non-resistance
“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
Lamentations 3:66 – Asking for divine retribution
“Pursue them in anger and annihilate them from under the heavens of the LORD.”
Proverbs 20:22 – Leave vengeance to God
“Do not say, ‘I will pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.”
Matthew 26:52 – Using peace instead of violence
“Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.”
Luke 23:34 – Jesus’ example of forgiveness
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
2 Timothy 4:14 – God’s judgment against those who oppose
“Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.”
Psalm 118:7 – Assurance in God’s defense
“The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.”
James 4:7 – Submit to God and resist evil
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Philippians 1:28 – Remaining steadfast despite adversities
“Without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.”
Proverbs 24:17 – Do not rejoice in your enemy’s misfortune
“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice.”
Neh. 4:5 – Pray for protection from enemies
“Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders.”
Isaiah 41:11 – God’s promise against adversaries
“All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.”
Matthew 5:10 – The blessedness of those persecuted for righteousness
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Luke 6:32 – The call to a higher standard of love
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.”
Jeremiah 15:21 – God’s assurance amid trials
“I will rescue you from the hands of the wicked and deliver you from the grasp of the cruel.”
Matthew 7:12 – Treating others as we wish to be treated
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Colossians 3:13 – Forgive as Christ forgave
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
1 John 4:20 – Claiming to love God while hating enemies
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
Psalm 140:1 – Seeking God’s protection from harm
“Rescue me, LORD, from evildoers; protect me from the violent.”
Luke 12:52 – Expect relationships to be tested
“From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.”
2 Thessalonians 3:2 – Prayer for protection from malicious people
“And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.”
Romans 12:19 – God’s promise of vengeance
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”