Loving Enemies

[MusicLover123]

We are told to love our enemies, bless and pray for those who persecute and use us, etc.

Does this apply to Satan and demons?

[Dandelion]

I don't think so.

Ephesians 6:

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth fastened around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

John 8:

43Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message. 44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. 45But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!

Genesis 3:

14So the LORD God said to the serpent:

"Because you have done this,
cursed are you above all livestock
and every beast of the field!
On your belly will you go,
and dust you will eat,
all the days of your life.
15And I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your seed and her seed.
He will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel."

Mark 5:

6When the man saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees before Him. 7And he shouted in a loud voice, "What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You before God not to torture me!" 8For Jesus had already declared, "Come out of this man, you unclean spirit!"

9"What is your name?" Jesus asked.

"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10And he begged Jesus repeatedly not to send them out of that region.

11There on the nearby hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding. 12So the demons begged Jesus, "Send us to the pigs, so that we may enter them."

13He gave them permission, and the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the water.

14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

16Those who had seen it described what had happened to the demon-possessed man and also to the pigs. 17And the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

18As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by the demons begged to go with Him. 19But Jesus would not allow him. "Go home to your own people," He said, "and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you."

20So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolisb how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

Matthew 4:

1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.

3The tempter came to Him and said, "If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

4But Jesus answered, "It is written:

'Man shall not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'a "
5Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. 6"If You are the Son of God," he said, "throw Yourself down. For it is written:

'He will command His angels concerning You,
and they will lift You up in their hands,
so that You will not strike Your foot
against a stone. "
7Jesus replied, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test. "

8Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9"All this I will give You," he said, "if You will fall down and worship me."

10"Away from me, Satan!" Jesus declared. "For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'d "

11Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.


Seems we are to avoid or expel evil spirits, and not be in fellowship with them. The evil spirits are whom we battle against, not other people. It appears to me, though not outright stated, that the evil spirits cannot be pursueded to change by us, here on earth, at this present time. Jesus always expelled them from the people they were violating, but did not try to convince them to be followers of God. Even when He, Himself was tempted, He did not try to convince the devil, but rather dismissed him from His presence.

I do believe a day will come, when they will be brought into the Light, as well, but that does not seem to be the situation now.

D.

[marie glen]

 :thumbsup: :iagree: