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Love your enemies

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Extol:
Do we love Satan also? There are many verses about the devil and his evils, and how we must resist them (Eph. 4:27, 6:11; 1 Tim. 3:7, James 4:7, 1 Pet.5:8, etc.). But of course it is the command of the Saviour to love one's enemies (Matt. 5:44). It is not uncommon to hear churchgoers say things like "I hate Satan", "To hell with the devil", and excitedly talk about how he will "get his" when he is thrown into the Lake of Fire forever, etc. In addition to being Scripturally inaccurate, is it wrong to utter such statements, since we are supposed to love our enemies?

Bill:

--- Quote from: Extol on September 14, 2006, 01:39:59 PM ---Do we love Satan also? There are many verses about the devil and his evils, and how we must resist them (Eph. 4:27, 6:11; 1 Tim. 3:7, James 4:7, 1 Pet.5:8, etc.). But of course it is the command of the Saviour to love one's enemies (Matt. 5:44). It is not uncommon to hear churchgoers say things like "I hate Satan", "To hell with the devil", and excitedly talk about how he will "get his" when he is thrown into the Lake of Fire forever, etc. In addition to being Scripturally inaccurate, is it wrong to utter such statements, since we are supposed to love our enemies?

--- End quote ---

I may be way off base here but I think we can Love satan for who is to become.  But hate for what he does.  Like hate the sin but love the sinner.

Satan is doing exactly as God has planned him to do.

Bill

TRUTHSEEKER:
Hey Everyone,

In regards to loving our enemies, I believe when Jesus gave us this command we are to keep in mind he was referring to people and not Satan.  Jesus said "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matt 5:44). Also, "But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil (Lk 6:35). In light of the scripture I've noted Jesus has to be referring to people because how else will God try us and proves us in learning how to love if our love is not tested to see if it genuine or not.  We always have to deal with people like them or not.  Work with people like them or not.  Associate with people like them or not. The greatest test of our love is to love other who lack in love.  Why? So we can be like our heavenly Father.  I think that is the point Jesus was making when he said love your enemies.  Love people which can be the hardest thing to do especially when they say all manner of evil against you falsely.  Jesus never showed Satan love.  If anything he cast out Satan at every opportunity.  (Mark 16:9 and 17, Luke 11:14,18,and 19)  How can we love a creature whom our own Lord cast out at every opportunity? Love people...not Satan.   

snorky:
Loving and forgiving enemies is part of our walk in Christ, so yes, we must love and forgive them, for they are part of God's Plan. I'm not sure the opportunity will ever arise when we are to love Satan. Right now we need to concentrate on loving and forgiving our human enemies, walking the walk.  ;)--snorky

Bill:

--- Quote from: snorky on September 14, 2006, 07:00:29 PM --- I'm not sure the opportunity will ever arise when we are to love Satan.

--- End quote ---

Christ will put all his enemies under his feet. (1 Corinthians 15:25) 


Bill

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