Scriptures: Genesis 45:3-11, 15; Luke 6:27-38
Key Verse: The Most High is kind to the ungrateful and the evil ones. (Luke 6:35)
What comes to mind when you hear the word “enemy?” I think of soldiers defending their countries. I think of vulnerable ones bullied just because they are different from the majority. I think of emotions overriding our logic or judgments. I think of addictions and greed destroying lives and relationships. How about you, what or who comes to mind when you hear the word “enemy?”
Not all enemies are evil. If we are truly honest with ourselves and with God, some that we presume to be our enemies are simply the people we disagree with on certain beliefs. For instance, having a different political view might become enemies of someone but not evil, or being a soldier isn’t evil because their main duty is protecting people’s safety. However, they can become human marionettes manipulated by those who have evil intentions and who make evil decisions out of greed for power, money, or reputation.
That might be the main reason why Jesus taught his disciples to pray and ask God to deliver them from evil. So what does "evil” mean? The word evil first appears in the Bible in Genesis 2:17 where God commanded the first human not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for he will certainly die. It seems to imply that the coexistence of good and evil is a reality. And the consequence of consuming from that tree is having the ability to tell the difference between good and evil, but what humans couldn’t comprehend at the time was what the knowledge of knowing evil could do to humanity.
Is it a blessing or a curse? It is a curse according to God’s verdict. The verdict is to die. And death is the absence of God. Therefore, from the biblical perspective, whenever we are tempted to play God to define any objects either good or evil , we are digging our own grave. So, what does "evil" mean? Evil is referring to any offensive and harmful deeds or intentions against God’s will and God’s people.
There was a period of time in my early 20s when I noticed that I wasn’t good at managing my anger. Sometimes I would even be shocked by how angry I was for something that wasn’t a big deal. Then I realized that I had picked up those emotions from the adults around me since I was little. My anger was almost like a reflection of their anger. Even though being angry is not evil, this uncontrollable anger of mine led me to hurt myself and those around me. How true it is as St. Paul said in Ephesians 4:26-27: Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. So, that's what I did. I prayed before going to bed. Then I found myself speechless the next morning because I was not as upset as the day before.
Are there any enemies in your life? If so, it is helpful to ask if their intentions and behaviors are harmful and offensive against God’s will and God’s people. If so, they definitely have missed out on a tremendous opportunity to be what God has redeemed them to be, a reflection of God’s love. This is also a tremendous opportunity for us to share God’s Good News with them for we are also the reflection of God’s love rather than being their enemies. May the words of St. Paul be the prayers of yours and mine.
Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody. Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. (Romans 12:17-21, The Message)
Amen.
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