Prudence (04.16.2006)

Last week we saw how to thoughtfully love an enemy. This week, we’re going to look more closely at how to identify and relate to an enemy, and how loving an enemy changes us on the inside.

WHEN TO PURSUE DIALOGUE
Read Matthew 5:23-24 about leaving our offering

• When we sense a “kink” in a relationship, what should we do?
• How is this pattern of relating typical of Jesus?
• Is this “brother who has something against you” an enemy?

While we’re reluctant to call someone our enemy, we relate in ways that end up creating multiple enemies.

An enemy is someone who actively works against us and interprets everything we do through a negative grid.

PRUDENCE: SILENCE IN THE FACE OF EVIL
Let’s look at how to live with an enemy. Look at Matthew 5:38-44. Which aspect of love is not mentioned in Jesus’ teaching about how we should love our enemies?

Reconciliation is the rule. Loving silence when relating to enemies is the exception to the rule.

Read Matthew 7:6 about throwing pearls to pigs: “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”

• In v. 1-5, Jesus tells us that if someone irritates us, we should correct ourselves first by taking the beam out of our own eye, and then go to the irritating person and help him with his speck.
• In the opposite situation (when someone is irritated with us), Jesus also tells us to “go to your brother” (Matthew 5:23-24).
• No matter what the situation, we should go and talk to our brother. We’re to constantly move toward people with honesty.

After telling us we should go to our brother, why does Jesus talk about not throwing pearls to pigs?

In the act of loving our enemies, we need to be cautious about what we say and not naively assume that because we’re loving, we’ll be reconciled.

We don’t stop loving difficult people; we just love them differently – without words. We switch from words to deeds and give the person a little space.

EXAMPLES OF PRUDENCE FROM JESUS’ TEACHING
TABLE TALK: Read the following passages from Jesus’ teaching and life. What does each one say about prudence (responding to evil, dealing with our enemies)?

• Matthew 10:16
• Matthew 10:26
• Matthew 13:24-30
• John 2:23-25
• Mark 10:10

HOW LOVING OUR ENEMIES CHANGES US
The greatest danger when an enemy hurts us isn’t what he does directly to us, but what can happen indirectly in our hearts.

What specific instructions do both Jesus (Matthew 5:44) and Paul (Romans 12:14) give us about how to love an enemy?

Love like this takes the heart by surprise and brings healing. Bitterness slowly dies for lack of fuel.

BEING THE REAL DEAL
Here’s how you can apply this message from God’s Word:

Write down the initials of an enemy. Next to the initials, write a few notes on what you could pray for this person. Then, be consistent in interceding on your enemy’s behalf by going before the Lord with these prayer requests. (Caution: Do not be manipulative with your words!)

PRAYING GOD'S WORD
Use the following passages to pray God’s Word back to Him, either on your own or with others:

Dear Heavenly Father, with my tongue I praise You, Lord, and with it I curse men, who have been made in Your likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. This should not be! (James 3:9-10) The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways (Proverbs 14:8). There is a time to be silent and a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3:7) – a time to love not with words or tongue but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18). Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit may I love my enemies and do good to them (Luke 6:35). I am Your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes (Psalm 119:125). In the Powerful name of Your Risen Son, AMEN!