What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? - Hostility - TouchPoints

In any conflict, we should constantly seek God’s will and make sure we are taking the right side. God is righteous and will prevail.

An eternal perspective replaces the fear of people with full confidence in God. Looking to the future helps us cope better with the present.

Psalm 71:4My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of cruel oppressors.

Psalm 18:17He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me.

Psalm 140:1-2, 4O Lord, rescue me from evil people. Preserve me from those who are violent, those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long . . . O Lord, keep me out of the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from those who are violent, for they are plotting against me.

Pray for deliverance. God’s hands hold our future.

Proverbs 24:17-18Do not rejoice when your enemies fall into trouble. Don’t be happy when they stumble. For the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them.

Job 31:29-30Have I ever rejoiced when my enemies came to ruin or become excited when harm came their way? No, I have never cursed anyone or asked for revenge.

We should not rejoice in others’ misfortunes, for that means we are also giving in to hostility.

Mark 11:25But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.

Matthew 6:12-15and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Luke 11:4and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.”

And forgive us our sins— just as we forgive those who have sinned against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.

Luke 23:33-34When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

Acts 7:59-60And as they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And he fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

God calls us to forgive others—even our enemies. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t stand up to our enemies when necessary. It does mean we long for their redemption even as we confront the evil in them.

Proverbs 3:31Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways.

Do not envy violent people; don’t copy their ways.

Romans 12:21Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Exodus 23:4-5If you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey that has strayed away, take it back to its owner. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you struggling beneath a heavy load, do not walk by. Instead, stop and offer to help.

2 Kings 6:21-23When the king of Israel saw them, he shouted to Elisha, “My father, should I kill them?” “Of course not!” Elisha told him. “Do we kill prisoners of war? Give them food and drink and send them home again to their master.” So the king made a great feast for them and then sent them home to their king. After that, the Aramean raiders stayed away from the land of Israel.

Proverbs 25:21-22If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.

Matthew 5:38-48You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven . . . If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Luke 6:27-29, 35But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other cheek. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also . . .

Romans 12:14, 20-21If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them . . . Instead, do what the Scriptures say: “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you” . . . Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.

1 Peter 3:9Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it.

If we respond to hostility with hostility, we only push people further away from the One we claim to follow.

Acts 9:1-6Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath. He was eager to destroy the Lord’s followers, so he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. As he was nearing Damascus on this mission, a brilliant light from heaven suddenly beamed down upon him! He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you, sir?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

Galatians 1:23-24All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” And they praised God because of me.

It may seem that someone is beyond God’s changing grace, but we can’t always see how God is working behind the scenes. Allow God time to work things out his way, follow where he leads, and be sure to give him the credit.

Proverbs 15:1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.

Proverbs 16:14The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it.

Proverbs 21:14A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.

Proverbs 29:8Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but those who are wise will calm anger.

Ecclesiastes 10:4If your boss is angry at you, don’t quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes.

Focus on gentleness with both actions and words. Often, hostility falls apart against gentleness.