Enemies of believers

Christians are enemies of the world because they belong to Jesus Christ

John 15:18–19 KJV 1900

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

See also Ps 86:14; Jn 17:14; 2 Ti 3:12; 1 Pe 4:15–16; 1 Jn 3:13

Opposition to Christians is opposition to Jesus Christ

Matthew 25:34–40 KJV 1900

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

See also Mk 9:42; Lk 17:1; Ac 9:4–5

Particular enemies of Christians

All kinds of people

Mark 13:13 KJV 1900

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

See also Jn 15:21

Family members

Matthew 10:34–36 KJV 1900

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

See also Ge 37:1–11; Mic 7:6; Mt 10:21

Religious zealots

Ac 4:18; Ac 5:28; Ac 8:3; Ac 9:1–2; 2 Pe 2:1; 3 Jn 9–10

Christians may be killed by their enemies

John 16:2 KJV 1900

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

See also Ac 7:56–60; Ac 12:1–2; Ac 26:9–10; Re 6:9

Christian attitudes towards enemies

To love, do good, bless and pray for them

Matthew 5:44–45 KJV 1900

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

See also Job 31:29–30; Lk 6:27–29; Lk 6:35; Lk 23:34; Ac 7:59–60; Ro 12:14; 1 Pe 3:9

To forgive them

Mt 6:12–15; Lk 11:4; Lk 23:33–34; Ac 7:59–60

To help and show kindness to them

Romans 12:20 KJV 1900

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

See also Pr 25:21–22; Lk 10:25–37

To show kindness to their beasts of burden

Exodus 23:4–5 KJV 1900

If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.

Not to rejoice in their misfortunes

Proverbs 24:17–18 KJV 1900

Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, And let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him.

To win them with kindness

Romans 12:21 KJV 1900

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

See also 1 Sa 26:21

Christians have a spiritual enemy

Satan opposes Christians

1 Peter 5:8 KJV 1900

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

See also Job 1:7–9; Lk 22:31; 2 Ti 4:17–18

The need to engage in spiritual warfare

1 Peter 5:9 KJV 1900

Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

See also 2 Co 10:4; Eph 6:10–18; 1 Ti 5:14–15; 2 Ti 4:7; Jas 4:7

God supports his people against their enemies

Ps 23:5; Jn 17:15

See also Dt 33:27; 1 Sa 12:11; 2 Sa 22:1–3; Ps 18:2; Ps 43:1; Ps 46:1; Ps 59:1–2; Ps 71:1–4; Ps 91:1–4; Ps 119:134; Ps 140:1–2; Ps 143:9; Ps 144:11; Mt 10:28–31; Lk 1:69; Lk 1:71; Lk 22:32; 2 Ti 4:8

Death as the last enemy to be destroyed by Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 15:26 KJV 1900

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

See also Ps 116:8; 2 Ti 1:10; Re 20:14; Re 21:4