Love Your Enemies

Cycles of Mimetic Violence

The Cycle of Violence I want what you have. I act against you to get it. You act against me to keep it.

Satan wins.

James 4:1–3 ESV

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

What is the alternative to a cycle of desire, rivalry, and violence? How can Satan be defeated?

Luke 6:27–28 ESV

“But 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.

We break the cycle when we respond to hatred with love and prayer.

Luke 6:29 ESV

To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.

We break the cycle when we respond to violence with kindness.

Luke 6:30 ESV

Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.

We break the cycle when we respond to desire with generosity.

Luke 6:31 ESV

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

We break the cycle we reverse the mimickry.

Luke 6:32–34 ESV

“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.

We break the cycle when we do more than what is expected.

Luke 6:35 ESV

But 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.

We break the cycle when we imitate God rather than Satan.

Luke 6:36 ESV

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.