Kelli Trujillo Supporter Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Teacher, Musician

These verses in Luke 6 and Matthew 5 give us some good advice on this subject:

Luke 6:27“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Matt. 5: 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The bottom line of what we're instructed to do when people hurt us in these verses is:
1) Show love to them
2) Pray for them
3) Treat them as we would like to be treated
4) Give them what it is they ask of us, sometimes more
5) Respond to unkindness with kindness

I know this can seem unfair and unjust; nevertheless, these are our instructions. When we think about the example of Jesus, this is precisely how He responded to His persecutors, and we are to follow His example.

Many times in my life I've seen that when we take the biblical approach to dealing with people who try to hurt us, God works to turn the situation around in His way and in His time. Proverbs 15:1 says,

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

I've definitely seen this truth fleshed out in many situations. Somehow, when we respond with the attitude of Jesus and in obedience to His word, it takes people by surprise and defuses their anger toward us. They expect us to respond the way the world says we should, and when we don't, it makes room for them to respond to us in a better way, as well. This doesn't work with all people, but I know from experience that it works with some. 

When I've been hurt by others, I usually start by praying for them, for genuine blessing in their lives. This opens my heart to be able to see them differently and to bless them in other ways, as well. I suggest starting with prayers of blessing, then let The Lord lead you to bless them in other ways.

December 31 2013 • 4 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

diwani Lubrin Supporter

The scripture "blessed those who cursed you" means never entertain any pain your heart to what they have done, for God will take care of it. Maybe you are thinking it is very hard really to forgive because of what they have done was so heavy and cause a scratch in the heart but I guarantee you through Christ we have overcome everything. Jesus said "take heart,I have overcome the world (John 16:33)
And we are from God and have overcome them because greater is He that lives in me than he that is living in the world. (John 14:4)
We have overcome and we will overcome through CHRIST ALONE. 
By accepting and meditating his word. How? By speaking it or repeatedly utter the word together with accepting it in the heart then we can live a life like him.

August 13 2016 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

ainsley chalmers Supporter Medical Research Scientist, devoted family man.

Simple answer in my experience with hateful, insensitive people.The Lord has always got me to pray for them and their salvation. Initially one does so through gritted teeth but after repeated prayer one finds a deep peace and healing from all their hurts. With repeated prayer it gets easier and many times the hurtful people soften toward me.Vengeance is God's business, ours is to show love as hard as it is sometimes. Prayer really does help by softening their attitudes and ours.

August 22 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Phil Calvert Supporter husband and dad, follower of the bible and bible studies

Luke 6:27 KJV
[27] But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Luke 6:28 KJV
[28] Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Matthew 5:39 KJV
[39] But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

First of all no one can curse you (literally). 

But if they do harm to you, we are to forgive them, pray for them and do something just the opposite. 
In return do something nice for them. 
(Even though it is or could be hard) 
I believe they will think about it, and not do it again. (But some probably won't.)
Love is the best answer, Jesus did the same thing. He had people curse him and what did he do loved them anyways. Prayed for them and forgave them.

August 12 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report