When I was in high school I noticed that one of my friends was really happy to have enemies. She was always talking about people who she liked and then people who she hated, people she couldn’t stand and who she would go out of her way to be nasty to.

Enemies. These days we think of countries having enemies but not really people. Enemies are people who are actively against us, using their actions to show that they disagree with us as people. Ted’s teacher was actively against him.

Bullies are our enemies because they use their words and actions to oppose us.

Do you actively oppose anyone? Adults might find they are enemies with certain political parties. Are you someone’s enemy?

What do you think?

Multiple choice quiz:

Q1. If your enemy steals your hat at lunch time, what do you do?

1. Punch her in the guts.
2. Steal something out of her schoolbag.
3. Give her your lunch as well.
4. Let her have the hat.

Q2. If you see your enemy at the park and he is getting beaten in a fight with his brother, what do you do?

1. Gather a crowd around and get everyone chanting “fight, fight, fight.”
2. Pull out a phone and video the whole thing.
3. Try to break up the fight and then help your enemy with his injuries.
4. Get an adult to help break up the fight and sort it out.

Q3. If your teacher keeps picking on you for things that she lets slide when it is her pet doing it, what do you do?

1. Leave a pin on her seat and tip a tin of fish into her handbag.
2. Muck up more because you will be in trouble anyway.
3. Try your best to do what she asks.
4. Change schools.

Some of the options are definitely not right but some of the answers could be more than one option. Sometimes the most loving thing to do is not always clear.

What advice does Jesus offer in the Bible?

Bible Passage: Matthew 5:43-48

“You have heard people say, “Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.” 44 But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. 45 Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. 46 If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for this? Even tax collectors[k] love their friends. 47 If you greet only your friends, what's so great about this? Don't even unbelievers do that? 48 But you must always act like your Father in heaven.”

Story Time!

When Ted was in year 5, age 10, his teacher actively opposed him for some reason and was malicious towards him, really mean, for no reason. She was his enemy. I spoke with other mums whose daughters loved this teacher.

Does God want us to love our enemies?

Bible Passage: Romans 12:20, Proverbs 25:22

“If your enemies are hungry,
give them something to eat.
And if they are thirsty,
give them something
to drink.
This will be the same
as piling burning coals
on their heads.”

This is most likely a gift of so many warm coals in a pan that it must be carried on the head. It is an act of making friends, just like sharing food and drink with someone who is thirsty and hungry.

If we love our enemies then you won’t have any enemies much longer!

If you don’t have any enemies at the moment then maybe you’re doing a good job of it already!

Question Time!

1. Is there someone you know who is extra difficult to love? Why? *If there isn’t someone you know who is extra difficult to love, then think of a type of person, or a personality that you might find difficult. Chat about it together.
2. What can you do to love people you know who are not so lovely?