So many pastors of the contemporary Church are leading their congregation to violate the commandment of Jesus, teaching them against the foundation laid by Jesus concerning our attitudes to enemies.
What did Jesus say about enemies? “You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbour and hate your enemies. 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 mistreat you and persecute you..” Matthew 5:43-44.
In this verse, Jesus, (God Himself) laid a new foundation concerning our attitudes to enemies, contrary to what obtained before his coming. Before the arrival of Jesus, the old covenants permitted eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Some contemporary pastors have dragged this verse into praying and wishing evil for people they perceive as their enemies.
In their prayers, you hear them say God, destroy our enemies, render them desolate, let them be crushed by moving lorries, etc. In the new covenant, Jesus said it is wrong to curse the enemies or seek revenge. Roman’s 12: 17-18: 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
In the New Testament, the enemy is not the human being, but the spirit in him. Paul wrote that we do not war against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers…” If we are battling flesh and blood, i.e. the human in our prayers, and kill them through whatever means, the spirit in the flesh and blood would migrate into another flesh and blood and the war continues.
Essentially, you cannot kill any spirit. Jesus did not kill any, He cast them out. It is therefore futile for any man to pray for the death of another human he perceives as an enemy. Jesus wants us to bless the man. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. Prov. 25:22.
Also, Deuteronomy 32:35: God said Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’ Only God can operate in this capacity. So, if we hand them over to God and by the time He is done with them we will even pity them.
Pastors who engage in prayers like God destroy my enemies should remember they are operating in the old covenant, and the Bible says that the old covenant is faulty, (Heb 8:7) leading God to create the New Covenant. If the old was not faulty, there would be no need for the New. For God’s sake, if Jesus, God himself, the testator and mediator of the New Testament says this item is faulty, why are we holding on to it?
Our level of spiritual maturity will help us to operate at this level. Let us obey God and leave the consequences for Him. He can handle our enemies better than our prayers against them. If our ways please Him, He will even make our enemies to be at peace with us. Proverbs 16:7.
Pastors who lead their members in such prayers should know that they are violating the commandment Jesus laid. They should desist from leading their Church members astray.
