8730 enemies, of believers

Christians must expect to face many enemies on account of their faith. Jesus Christ made it clear that such opposition was the inevitable result of commitment to him. Nevertheless, Christians are called upon to love their enemies.

Christians are enemies of the world because they belong to Jesus Christ

Jn 15:18-19 See also Ps 86:14; Jn 17:14; 2Ti 3:12; 1Pe 4:15-16; 1Jn 3:13

Opposition to Christians is opposition to Jesus Christ

Mt 25:34-40 See also Mk 9:42; Lk 17:1; Ac 9:4-5

Particular enemies of Christians

All kinds of people Mk 13:13 pp Mt 10:22 See also Jn 15:21

Family members Mt 10:34-36 pp Lk 12:51-53 See also Ge 37:1-11; Mic 7:6; Mt 10:21 pp Mk 13:12

Religious zealots Ac 4:18; Ac 5:28; Ac 8:3; Ac 9:1-2; 2Pe 2:1; 3Jn 9-10

Christians may be killed by their enemies

Jn 16:2 See also Ac 7:56-60; Ac 12:1-2; Ac 26:9-10; Rev 6:9

Christian attitudes towards enemies

To love, do good, bless and pray for them Mt 5:44-45 See also Job 31:29-30; Lk 6:27-29,35; Lk 23:34; Ac 7:59-60; Ro 12:14; 1Pe 3:9

To forgive them Mt 6:12-15; Lk 11:4; Lk 23:33-34; Ac 7:59-60

To help and show kindness to them Ro 12:20 See also Pr 25:21-22; Lk 10:25-37

To show kindness to their beasts of burden Ex 23:4-5

Not to rejoice in their misfortunes Pr 24:17-18

To win them with kindness Ro 12:21 See also 1Sa 26:21

Christians have a spiritual enemy

Satan opposes Christians 1Pe 5:8 See also Job 1:7-9; Lk 22:31; 2Ti 4:17-18

The need to engage in spiritual warfare 1Pe 5:9 See also 2Co 10:4; Eph 6:10-18; 1Ti 5:14-15; 2Ti 4:7; Jas 4:7

God supports his people against their enemies

Ps 23:5; Jn 17:15 See also Dt 33:27; 1Sa 12:11; 2Sa 22:1-3; Ps 18:2; Ps 43:1; Ps 46:1; Ps 59:1-2; Ps 71:1-4; Ps 91:1-4; Ps 119:134; Ps 140:1-2; Ps 143:9; Ps 144:11; Mt 10:28-31; Lk 1:69,71; Lk 22:32; 2Ti 4:8

Death as the last enemy to be destroyed by Jesus Christ

1Co 15:26 See also Ps 116:8; 2Ti 1:10; Rev 20:14; Rev 21:4

See also