FOES

Some other words that describe FOES are adversaries, antagonists, attackers, combatants, competitors, enemies, invaders and nemesis to list a few.

Some things that can cause FOES are anger, betrayal, cheating, envy, grudges, hatefulness, insults, jealousy, lying, meanness, nit-picking, quarreling, teasing and the one most notorious are words spoken or words left unspoken.

So what does the Bible instruct us to do when it comes to FOES?

CONSIDER GOD’S WORD ON FOES.

“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it, you shall rescue it with him.” Exodus 23:4-5

  “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself…” Leviticus 19:17-18

“When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7

“Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and He will deliver you.”  Proverbs 20:22

“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from you.” Proverbs 24:17-18

“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” Proverbs 25:21-22; Romans 12:19-21

CONSIDER THE WORDS OF JESUS ON FOES.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48

“I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Luke 6: 27-28

“As you wish that others do to you, do so to them.” Luke 6:31

“Love your enemies, and do good, and lend expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35-36