Fighting The Wrong Fight

Bad trip talaga ‘tong taong ‘to! Pasalamat sya at Christian ako kung hindi papatulan ko talaga yan! ARGHHHH!

That would be me in a real life situation. You see, my temper has always been my struggle probably since birth. When I became a Christian that was the first thing I had to deal with. I have to admit, it’s not easy and I’m still struggling. For the past three years, I managed to control my temper by not being confrontational. I learned to let go of things that will only “fuel the fire”. Again, it’s not easy that there are still times that I just lose it.

“Love your enemies” is probably one of the most popular teachings in the bible and acknowledged as fairly difficult by all. As Christians, I think it is safe to say that it is easy for us to pray for our enemies. However, once they are right in our face, hitting on our nerves, what do we do?

This often brings me to the question: how do I love my enemy then? Is just walking away enough? Because when I walk away and even pray for that person, the next time I see that person I’m pretty sure I still I haven’t forgotten the reason why I was pissed with him/her.

So how to I love my enemies? Technically, I know the answer: avoid confrontation, do good to them and pray for them. Here’s the thing, I can avoid confrontation, do good things to them and pray for them yet continue to hate them. So does that meet the criteria of loving your enemy?

Yesterday, I was surprised that it was a 27-year old Pastor who answered that question. In his t-shirt, shorts and slippers, Pastor Seth (I think that’s his name) passionately preached about persecution. One of the points was “loving your enemies”. He pointed out that once you see a person as an enemy, no matter how much respect you give that person, there will always be a part of you that will think that he/she was/is your enemy.

Pastor Seth said to look beyond the person. Because whatever that person did to you, it was not him/her who actually did it. That person is just being used by Satan against you – so that your heart will be tainted with hatred. Human beings are not capable of inflicting pain, hurt, anger, hatred, etc. on you. It is their actions, decisions, words, etc. that do those. Those are Satan’s and he knows that the easiest way to get to you is through another person by influencing their actions, decisions, words, etc. And when you start hating that person, you become vulnerable to Satan as well. He then can now use you so that the other person can feel more hatred towards you making this an ultimate man vs. man fight. Well, the truth is this isn’t a human vs. human fight. This should be a fight against evil. We should be instruments of God in fighting evil, not instruments of Satan in spreading evil.

Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against might powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits.

I know some people might read this and would go: “whatever!” or would think I’m losing it. But I’m posting this anyway because the more we think the word “evil” only exists in movies or books…that “evil” is fiction…the more we will turn on against one another. Then the more the “love your enemy” commandment in the bible becomes unattainable.