pray for enemies, love everybody, etc?
2007-09-23 18:04:55 · 37 answers · asked by Janet Reincarnated 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Or are they pretending to be someone they are not just to convert us?
2007-09-23 18:05:53 · update #1
spend sometime at church and then spend sometime at their homes and you will be able to answer this question with out hesitation most are hypocrites that say and do one thing when their in the pews with their hand raised to the sky but as soon as they walk out the door they are judgmental and condemning.
2007-09-23 20:00:39 · answer #1 · answered by windwalker 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I can only speak for myself, though I will say I'm not some kind of super-Christian, so whatever answer I give, probably other Christians are doing it much better than me.
A) Yes, I do pray for my enemies. Sometimes through gritted teeth, but I do. I pray blessings on them, and pray that whatever hardship they have to go through leads them to God.
B) I won't lie to you and say that my heart harbors no resentments. But I pray to the Lord and ask Him to help me forgive. Then I make a choice to forgive the person, and if the matter comes up in my heart again, I keep making that choice, even if I have to do it a squillion times.
C) In terms of loving everyone, I hope you don't take this to mean the I *like* everyone. The meaning of this is that we are to treat everyone as though their worth is very great --- more than our own. It is to treat someone with kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, etc. I fail at this often and miserably, but it is still the bar that the Lord has set for me and so I choose that as my measuring stick, too.
I hope these answers don't sound too Ned Flanders-y. They aren't meant that way. :)
2007-09-23 18:13:01 · answer #2 · answered by KL 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Whoever said that you obviously do not read the Bible made an assumption that was uncalled for. There are many things in the Bible that are difficult to understand due to the limitations of our human condition. The basics however are very clear we are called to be kind and caring toward other people,and to avoid and depart from evil, do good, and live in peace with others as much as is possible. The questions that you ask are a valuable contribution to the religious discussion on Yahoo Answer. I always read them and the answers that are given. I write when I feel I have another perspective to offer to the discussion, such as now. It is important for everyone to show as much kindness as they can toward each other while discussing these difficult question. Some people are better at this than others, but we all need to care about each other and take these issues seriously. Your questions are indeed important, and they provide a forum for thoughtful discussions.
2016-05-17 07:57:28 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I think w/their religion the 'idea' is to forgive, and w/practicing their faith that it makes it easier for one to forgive. But I think there are different levels of forgiveness. Depending on how spiritually advanced the person is.
Perhaps some are being honest, while other's feel that they've forgiven 'somewhat' and just by the mere fact of typing in the words that they've forgiven or preaching to others to forgive makes them feel better. And also creates/relives emotions of forgiveness. Sometimes forgiveness is an ongoing process [like peeling layers of an onion so to speak]Forgiveness can be a huge word for some!! Even when one is praying for an enemy, it certainly is hard to feel too much love for someone you can't stand but by understanding their individual hardships of course gives one some compassion to atleast forgive on SOME LEVEL.
And this of course makes it pretty healthy spiritually and emotionally for the person praying.
Yes, I think they are being sincere actually.
I think it's just something we all have to practice at.
2007-09-23 18:18:43 · answer #4 · answered by deirdrefaith 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Christians that don't understand God in depths, are the ones that may find it difficult to pray for enemies and love thy neighbor as they love themselves, and to be forgiving. As they learn more about God, and truly understand Him, and apply what they learn in God's word the Bible into their lives, only then can they sincerely practice what God's word the Bible instructs Christians on how to live their lives. I know because before God became a part of my life, the very 3 things you mentioned in your question, wasn't at all easy for me to do and be sincere about it, but now, having learned the Bible and implementing what I've learned into my daily life, I am able to do all 3 and know that my heart is sincere in doing all three. I don't try to convert anyone, as Salvation does not happen in groups. It is an individual reward that comes from our Heavenly Father by acquiring accurate knowledge of Truth from His Word, the Bible, by applying this Truth to our daily life, and by helping spread the good news of His Kingdom.
I do however am open to share His word with anyone that is sincerely wanting to have a relationship with Him.
2007-09-23 18:29:13 · answer #5 · answered by Admeta 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Forgiving someone is not something we take lightly. At least I don't. Forgiveness with us is not an option. God requires it, or He doesn't forgive us of our sins. I do pray for my enemies, and I try very hard to love everybody. Our Lord calls us to love the "unloveable." That doesn't mean you have to agree with everything everyone says, though. There's a difference.
2007-09-23 18:12:46 · answer #6 · answered by byHisgrace 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I cannot speak for anyone else.
I am a Christian and I forgive and try to love others.....even those who have hurt my family, friends, or me. It's not an easy thing to do and sometimes I get angry and shoot my mouth off, but at night, before I go to sleep, I pray. One of my prayers is: "Father, I forgive all those who may have injured me today and in the past, and I seek forgiveness of all those whom I have injured". When I say it, I mean it!
Whenever possible, I ask people to forgive me and pray for me...or else I will tell someone that I forgive them. I told a guy who spit on me and bashed me in the head that I forgave him. He got so mad that he punched me in the mouth! So be careful...forgiveness can be dangerous! :)
2007-09-23 18:18:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm Christian and proud of it, but I hate when Christians get in peoples faces and force our faith on people, that probably won't help! So there are plenty of true Christians who will pray for other, forgive and love, but if everyone who claims to be Christian actually did that our world would be completely different right now, and for the better too.
2007-09-23 18:17:13 · answer #8 · answered by Mangakagirl 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am sincere. I do pray for my enemies. I do forgive. I truly do. It is hard to love everybody, I need to ask God for help with this one I must admit.
2007-09-23 18:10:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I even turn the other cheek and have the scars to prove it. God lives in every single last one of us even if we refuse to see it. I'll not raise my hand against God or any manifestation of him. I will not back down when defending someone being unjustly tormented even if it cost my life or worse my health. I pray constantly for people that presume to be my enemies and I do so for their sake. I forgive them before they hurt me. I avoid people and situations that are a hazard for me but even I have self preservation.
Love one another as I have loved you.
2007-09-23 18:15:28 · answer #10 · answered by gnosticv 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
as a Christian, i must say that at least in my own personal case i am not always nice. but that is a part of human nature. i do not think myself better than anyone, nor do i believe that i have reason to. i do try to love others, most of the time this is easy, i have enormous amounts of compassion for other people's well-being. i do tell people that i will pray for them, but only if i feel they would be comfortable hearing it, otherwise i keep my mouth shut, and just pray for them anyways. the biggest problem that i face as a Christian is being able to love my "enemies". in this, i am only referring to my personal enemies, not people that i do not know, but have opposing opinions with. my ex, for instance.... i have extreme anger and i would have to say, close to hatred for him, but i do try to not feel this way... it is wasted energy more than anything. i do try to live my life according to what the Bible says, but i also do not believe that "Christian" is synonymous with "boring", and i live my life just like everyone else. i listen to rock, watch r-rated movies... i mean, i am just like you. i wish that i could understand why people want to fight so hard about religion.... either you believe or you don't... we are all just trying to make it through this life that we have been given. anyways, this was just my personal opinion, thanks for listening to me ramble!
2007-09-23 18:19:33 · answer #11 · answered by bugboobunz 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋