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Matthew 5:43 - “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.”

This was and in many ways still is, the natural mindset of the world: love those who treat you well, but reject or strike back against those who oppose you. To our human nature, it feels fair, even justified, but this is not the way of Christ.

If we only love those who are easy to love, we are not set apart from the world. Anyone can do that. Jesus calls His followers to something greater, radical love that reflects the Father’s heart. That means blessing when others curse, forgiving when others wound, and speaking life when the world would expect anger or silence.

Jesus calls us to a higher standard, one that goes against our flesh but reflects the heart of God. True discipleship is revealed not in how we love our friends but in how we respond to our enemies.

Matthew 5:44 -  “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.” 

Think about Jesus hanging on the cross. He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” He blessed those who mocked Him, pierced Him, and nailed Him to the cross. That is the ultimate picture of dying to self and speaking life.

John 13:35 - “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  

There is a great deal of hatred in the world today. We see it in our social media feeds, on television, in our communities, among our families, in our workplaces, and sadly, even in the church. Instead of being known by our love, we are often divided, critical, and quick to tear each other down. 

The world is watching how we treat each other. If our words and actions don’t reflect His love, then our witness is weakened.

When we bless instead of curse, forgive instead of holding grudges, and choose unity over division, we display the heart of Jesus. Speaking blessings is one way we actively resist the culture of hatred. Every kind word, every prayer for an enemy, every blessing spoken into a tense situation is a step toward unity in Christ.

Deuteronomy 30:19 - “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” 

Choosing life means speaking kindness when it would be easier to criticize. It means encouraging when silence feels safer. It means blessing even those who don’t deserve it. Why? Because that’s what Christ did for us when we were His enemies.

Proverbs 18:21 - “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Our tongues can be used as a tool to build, bless, and heal, or as a weapon that causes harm and destruction. Words are powerful. One blessing spoken in love can soften a hard heart, mend a broken relationship, or change the course of someone’s day.

Challenge: For the next week, at the end of every day, reflect on your words. Ask yourself: Did I speak life or death? Did I bless or curse? Did I love even when it hurt? Invite the Holy Spirit to help you surrender your tongue so your words reflect Jesus.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me what it means to love, even when it costs me. Help me to die to self and choose words that give life. Teach me to bless those who hurt me, just as Jesus blessed His enemies. May my words bring healing, encouragement, and peace to everyone I encounter. Today, I choose to speak blessings, in Jesus’ name, Amen.