Dealing with enemies can be one of the most challenging aspects of life. Whether it’s those who oppose us or cause harm, the Bible offers wisdom on how to navigate these relationships with grace and wisdom. Scripture teaches us to love our enemies, pray for them, and trust God to handle justice. These 30 Bible verses provide insight and encouragement on how to respond to enemies in a way that honors God and reflects His love.
Bible Verses For Enemies
1. Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
This verse is a challenging yet powerful command from Jesus. He calls us not only to tolerate our enemies but to love them and pray for them. This goes against human instinct, but it reflects God’s heart. By loving our enemies, we reflect God’s love for all people, even those who oppose us.
2. Romans 12:20
“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.”
This verse teaches us to respond to our enemies with kindness and generosity. Instead of seeking revenge, God calls us to meet the needs of those who wrong us. This unexpected kindness can lead to conviction and change of heart in our enemies, showing them God’s love through our actions.
3. Proverbs 25:21-22
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
Similar to Romans 12:20, this verse encourages showing compassion to our enemies. When we meet their needs, we leave the door open for God to work in their hearts. Moreover, our actions will not go unnoticed by God, who promises to reward those who live out His love in difficult situations.
4. Luke 6:27
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
Jesus’ instruction in this verse calls us to do good even to those who hate us. This reflects the countercultural nature of Christian love, which seeks the good of others, even those who oppose us. By doing good, we demonstrate that God’s love is greater than any hostility we face.
5. Exodus 14:14
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
This verse offers a powerful reminder that God is our defender. When faced with enemies or opposition, we don’t have to seek revenge or fight on our own. God promises to fight for us, allowing us to trust in His justice and protection. Our role is to be still and trust in His power.
6. Proverbs 24:17
“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice.”
This verse encourages humility and compassion, even toward our enemies. We are warned not to celebrate when those who oppose us experience hardship. Instead, we are called to maintain a posture of grace and mercy, reflecting God’s desire for all people to turn from their ways and experience His love.
7. Romans 12:19
“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.”
In this verse, Paul reminds us that vengeance belongs to God. We are not called to seek revenge but to trust in God’s perfect justice. God sees every wrong, and He promises to repay in His timing. Our task is to live in peace and trust God to handle matters of justice.
8. Psalm 23:5
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
This verse is a comforting reminder that even in the presence of enemies, God provides and blesses His people. Despite opposition, God’s provision and blessing remain with us. He honors and protects us, allowing us to find peace and abundance even in the midst of conflict.
9. Proverbs 16:7
“When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.”
This verse highlights the power of living a life that pleases God. When we walk in God’s ways, He has the ability to turn even our enemies into friends. This shows that God is the one who can change hearts and bring about reconciliation in difficult relationships.
10. Ephesians 6:12
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
This verse reminds us that our true enemies are not people, but spiritual forces of evil. This helps us shift our perspective, recognizing that behind every conflict is a deeper spiritual battle. By focusing on prayer and spiritual warfare, we can respond to our human enemies with grace and love.
11. Psalm 138:7
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.”
This verse reassures us that God protects us from our enemies. Even when we are surrounded by trouble, God’s hand is powerful enough to protect and save us from harm. His presence brings comfort and assurance that we are never alone in the face of opposition.
12. 1 Peter 3:9
“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.”
This verse calls us to break the cycle of revenge and respond to evil with blessing. God’s way is not retaliation, but blessing those who wrong us. When we respond with kindness, we demonstrate the transformative power of God’s love and position ourselves to receive His blessing.
13. Matthew 5:39
“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.”
In this challenging verse, Jesus teaches us to respond to enemies with non-violence and humility. Instead of seeking retaliation, He calls us to show radical love, even in the face of insult or harm. This response reflects the heart of Jesus, who exemplified this attitude in His own life.
14. Psalm 110:1
“The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’”
This verse speaks to God’s ultimate victory over all enemies. It reminds us that God is in control, and in the end, He will bring justice and subdue all opposition. For believers, this is a source of great comfort, knowing that God’s power will ultimately triumph over all adversaries.
15. Luke 6:35
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”
Jesus teaches that loving our enemies reflects the character of God. By doing good and showing kindness to those who don’t deserve it, we mirror God’s grace and love for humanity. This kind of love is sacrificial and countercultural, but it brings a great reward and reveals our identity as God’s children.
16. Psalm 3:7
“Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.”
This psalm expresses a cry for God’s deliverance from enemies. It reflects the deep human desire for justice in the face of opposition. While the language is strong, it reminds us that we can bring our fears and struggles before God, trusting Him to deal with our enemies as He sees fit.
17. Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.”
This verse encourages patience and trust in God’s justice. Instead of seeking to pay back those who wrong us, we are called to wait for the Lord to act. God’s justice is perfect, and He will handle all wrongs in His time, allowing us to release the desire for revenge.
18. Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This powerful verse encourages us not to let evil get the better of us. Instead of being consumed by bitterness or anger, we are called to respond with goodness. By doing so, we not only protect our hearts but also have the opportunity to transform the situation through love and grace.
19. Psalm 56:9
“Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.”
This verse expresses confidence in God’s support against enemies. When we call on God for help, He promises to act on our behalf. This assurance gives us courage in the face of opposition, knowing that God is on our side and will cause our enemies to retreat.
20. Leviticus 19:18
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
This command from Leviticus emphasizes the importance of love and forgiveness over revenge. God calls us to let go of grudges and instead love others as we love ourselves, even when they hurt us. This reflects God’s heart for reconciliation and peace, allowing us to live in harmony with others.
21. Micah 7:8
“Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.”
This verse offers hope to those who feel defeated by enemies. Even when we fall or face darkness, God’s light shines in our lives. Our enemies may rejoice in our struggles, but God promises to lift us up and restore us, giving us the strength to rise again.
22. 2 Chronicles 20:15
“He said: ‘Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’”
This verse reassures us that the battles we face with our enemies are not ours to fight alone. God is the one who fights on our behalf. This gives us confidence and peace, knowing that we do not have to fear or be discouraged because God is in control of the outcome.
23. Psalm 37:1
“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong.”
This verse encourages us not to be anxious or envious of those who do wrong. While it may seem that evildoers prosper, God reminds us to trust in His justice. Fretting over enemies only steals our peace, but when we trust in God’s timing, we can rest in His plans for righteousness.
24. Proverbs 24:19-20
“Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.”
This verse reinforces the idea that the wicked have no lasting hope. It reminds us that those who do wrong will ultimately face judgment, and their success is temporary. We are called to focus on living righteously, knowing that God will handle the fate of those who oppose Him and His people.
25. Psalm 25:19-20
“See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.”
This psalm is a plea for protection from enemies. The psalmist recognizes the danger of being surrounded by those who hate him, but he trusts in God for deliverance. When we face similar opposition, we too can take refuge in God, knowing that He is our protector and rescuer.
26. Isaiah 54:17
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,’ declares the Lord.”
This verse is a powerful promise of protection for God’s people. No matter what weapons or accusations are formed against us, they will not succeed. God Himself will vindicate His servants, ensuring that they are not harmed by their enemies. This gives us great confidence in God’s ability to defend us.
27. Matthew 10:28
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
In this verse, Jesus teaches us not to fear human enemies who can harm the body but cannot touch the soul. Our greater concern should be to honor God, who holds ultimate authority over our souls. This perspective helps us endure opposition with courage, knowing that our eternal security is in God’s hands.
28. Psalm 18:48
“He rescues me from my enemies; you exalted me above my foes; from a violent man you rescued me.”
This verse is a declaration of God’s deliverance. The psalmist praises God for rescuing him from violent enemies and exalting him above his foes. It reminds us that God is faithful to deliver us from those who seek to harm us and that He lifts us above the threats of our enemies.
29. Exodus 23:22
“If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you.”
God promises to fight on behalf of His people. When we follow God’s commands, He becomes an enemy to our enemies. This assurance allows us to trust that God is our ultimate protector, and He will oppose those who seek to harm us, providing justice and defense in every situation.
30. Psalm 60:12
“With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.”
This verse confidently declares that victory comes through God. No matter how strong our enemies may seem, with God on our side, we are assured of triumph. This verse serves as a reminder to trust in God’s strength and not to fear the opposition, for He will ultimately bring victory over our enemies.
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