God has called us to live holy lives, lives without blame in a tainted world. But what do you do when you’ve been slandered or spitefully used or even cursed? This 4-day devotional by Laura Woodworth will help you access divine power to turn this enemy attack into an opportunity for God’s love and mercy.Laura Woodworth
Day 1
Scriptures: 1 Peter 4:12, Ephesians 6:10-12, Psalms 56:9
The Struggle
God has called us to live holy lives, lives without blame in a tainted world. But what do you do when you’ve been slandered or spitefully used or even cursed? The enemy has attacked and you’re grappling with maintaining a semblance of Christianity in the face of it.
It could be a coworker, a neighbor, your ex-wife or husband… even a spouse or friend that has turned against you, stirring a mixture of painful emotions that make you want to lash out instead of love. Loving that person-turned-enemy is the farthest thing from your current physical or mental state.
Don’t be shocked at the attack. Or, as the Bible puts it, “don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12 NLT)
Although you may not be fighting a physical battle with swords and spears, if you profess to be a Christian, you are by default locked into a spiritual battle with the devil – the real enemy of your soul. He is the one who is actively seeking to devour your faith and discredit your witness. None of us are immune to his tactics to turn situations and people into enemies against us.
Your enemy is not the person standing before you.
Your struggle is not with flesh and blood, but rather with dark spiritual forces that capitalize on your trigger points and the frailties of your humanity while working through other frail humans to accomplish their dirty work.
This battle is not a war to be won in the physical, but one that will be fought and won in the spiritual realm with heavenly tactics. With God’s help, you can turn this enemy attack into an opportunity for His love and mercy.
Scripture Declaration: “On the very day I call to You for help, my enemies will retreat. This I know: God is on my side.” (Psalm 56:9 NLT)
Day 2
Scriptures: Matthew 5:44-45, Philippians 2:15, Psalms 51:7, Psalms 51:10
The Key
The fact that your current struggle is a spiritual battle to be won with spiritual weapons is the very same truth that will lead to your ability to deal with the opposition in a way that honors and glorifies God. The key to your victory lies in Jesus’ words from his Sermon on the Mount, spoken to His disciples in the midst of social conflict and Roman rule.
“‘But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven…’” (Matthew 5:44-45 NKJV)
In the natural, loving your enemy seems counterproductive, but if you understand the heart of God, you’ll remember two things: He desires that none perish and He has commissioned you, His son or daughter to be “… blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Philippians 2:15 NKJV)
Within this “crooked and perverse” generation – the world we live in – God has called you to:
Love your enemies
Bless those who curse you
Do good to those who hate you
Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
How can you move past the hurt and pain and anger you’re feeling to be able to love and bless and pray? Start by pinpointing the cause of the conflict – beginning with an honest look at yourself. Are you the guilty party in this incident?
If you somehow instigated the contention, then confess it and clear the blame. Seek out the forgiving, cleansing blood of God to cover your sin, your mistake, your error. Ask God to create in you a clean heart, a right spirit.
Scripture Declaration: “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 NLT)
Day 3
Scriptures: Luke 6:38, Matthew 6:14-15, Luke 4:18
Forgive and Release
Children of God take no prisoners. We shackle no one. If you understand spiritual warfare and can grasp that the contention you’re experiencing right now with your spouse or coworker or whomever is motivated by dark spiritual forces, you will be able to forgive yourself if necessary and your contender.
Recognize the devil’s tactics and forgive the person who, whether unwittingly or with full knowledge, played into his hands to turn against you and instigate the attack. See with spiritual eyes and recognize where the opposition is truly coming from so you can cut the shackles, unlock the prison, set the captive free.
This release in the spirit realm is critical towards arriving at the point where you can act on the words of Jesus and bless someone who has harmed you no matter the offense. The Bible is replete with scriptures on forgiveness without categorizing the sin.
“Forgive, and you shall be forgiven…” (Luke 6:38 NKJV)
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14, 15 NLT)
Bear in mind, we’re not saying that what that person did was right nor are we glossing over the pain and hurt they may have caused you. As you forgive, you are simply surrendering this person out of your hands and into God’s, while trusting in His justice and mercy. Forgive – and release.
Scripture Declaration: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free.” (Luke 4:18 NLT)
Day 4
Scriptures: Ephesians 1:18-19, Ephesians 2:6-7, 2 Peter 1:3-4, Romans 2:4
Pronounce the Blessing
How can we bless an enemy? Once you’ve forgiven the offender and the offense, the ability to bless initiates from a perspective of the riches you possess in Christ Jesus.
As believers, we are rich in God, seated with Christ in heavenly places – over and not under the rule of this world. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. In other words, within you there is the ability to bless and not curse, to give and not exact, to love and not hate.
You are wealthy in God! And out of that abundance, you can bless your enemy with no holding back, no reserve, no limitation. God will deal with any sin or wrongdoing. Your role as a child of God is to pull from the storehouse of the riches of your Father and speak a blessing. Speak goodness, speak the best over that person.
May your heart be flooded with light so you can grasp the wonderful “riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18-19 NKJV)
You can afford this! By the power of God, you can be lavish with mercy and kindness towards this person who allowed themselves to become a tool in the hands of darkness. You are rich enough in Christ Jesus to act on His words to love your enemy, to bless, to do good, to pray – to extend mercy and compassion towards them.
And who knows if this might turn into their salvation? God uses kindness to lead people to repentance. You could be the vessel that will make an eternal difference in that person’s life.
“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” Romans 2:4 NLT
It is not easy to forgive. It takes an incredible draw on God’s power within to bless someone who has harmed you. But God has richly supplied an abundance within your soul as His son or daughter to enable you to live out godliness in this earth.
You can win this battle that has challenged your Christian walk and witness. You can shine in a tainted world. By the grace of God, you can love your enemy.
Scripture Declaration: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3 BSB)